The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The New Crusade-The White Ribbon and the
White Cross.


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The New Crusade--The White Ribbon and the
White Cross.
10 the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The White Cross Army. a movement inaugu-
rated by the Bishop of Durham, in England for
the advancement of the cause of social purity
by pledging men to the best protection of woman
hood and the highest standard of morality IN
manhood, is now growing rapidly in this country.
During the session of the National Womans
Christian Temperance Union at Philadelphia.
last October, Dr. DeCosta, of New York. the
president of the organization in this
country, made an address, in which
he presented the work of the society
and it's aims, and proposed that the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union cooperate with the
White Cross Army in this special line of work.
For number of years there has been depart
ment in the w. G. Z. U. with national superin-
tendent having in many States superintend-
ent who should push the work in the State In
some States these have done nobly, not only Sc
curing through their personal efforts the build
ing Of homes for degraded women but rescuing
many from lives of sin before they had become
hardened. There have always been grave OBJ
stacles in the way of this work. 1t not
only required that the workers should
be notably consecrated women, Dat
that they should be in age and experience placed
beyond any risk of being misunderstood. Then
the objects themselves, sensitive to everything
that seemed TO call attention to their condition,
were quick to resent any interference in their
behalf, unless made in the most delicate manner
by those peculiarly gifted in winning their conf
dence. The laws ALSO both of society and the
State have so Disseminated between social vice
in man and woman that the reclamation of wom-
On has appalled, many by its seeming hopeless
ness. The title of this department of work in
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was
Os'Work for Fallen Women" This being shown
by those experienced in such labor to be insult
able, it was decided by the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union to accede to the
request of DR.. De Costa, and the title was
the White Cross Army" The revelations Of
the Pail Mall Gazette not more startling
than facts gathered in many Of our own cities,
by those who have been quietly at work on this
line in these organizations. DR.. Emily Black
well says: 'If the cover could be taken from the
social life of of large cities it would be
perditicn uncapped.'" The woman who has
made a study of the legal facts for this depart
ment publishes the statement that in many
of our States the age of consent" for girls is
ten years of age Less than that of England at
which there was such shock among
the Christian women Of our land.
Aggressive work has been already
begun by the Social Purity department of the
Il. C.,
the securing of better legislation upon this mat
ter. thorough organization OF Christian
women and men in the two societies s being
pushed forward in the States Miss Frances E.
Willard president Of the National w. G. T. u,
impressed with the necessity of this new crusade
for womep. has taken the superintendency of
the national department She has secured in
Indiana, az State superintendent to cooperate
with her III this work, woman of the broadcast
philanthropy. who for years has been promi-
apolis. Miss Willard, in giving the
aim and object Of the department
Of Social Purity Cooperating with the
White Cross Army sets it forth as follows:
This department. aims to exhibit the relations
existing between the drink habit and the name
less habits, outrages and crimes which disgrace
modern civilization; and especially to point out
the brutalizing influences of malt liquors upon
the lower nature; this study to be conducted by
means of mothers meetings, leaflets pamphlets,
ETC., cooperating with the White Cross Army
and circulating its literature. 1t seeks to estab-
1sh single code of morals, and TO maintain the
lew of purity as equally binding upon men and
women It has in view distinct effort to i'm
press upon the minds of men and women,
youths and maidens the absolute demand
in word, thought and deed. 1t will en-
deavor to secure legislation of q character
calculated to protaet the honor and purity of
women and girls. and render them safe from the
deDravity OF brutal men. Inc organization OF
the White Cross Army" has. so far. been prin-
eipally under the auspices of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. but it is hoped before long its
five pledges will be introduced by clergymen
everywhere; in their parishes as well as into all
schools and homes. A thoroughly aroused public
sentiment among religious and social circles will
soon cause a change in the sentiment of the
State This topic will be treated specially at the
meeting of ladies at Mrs. Charles Kregelo's. on
Friday afternoon, by the lady who will have
charge of the department in the Indiana w. c.
7. u.
At this meeting the necessity of establishing q
'creche," or day nursery" as an adjunct to the
free kindergartens will also be discussed. The
W. c. I. o. has a special department for this
work, and in many of our cities these day nurse
ries are being established by its members. either
in connection with its own free kindergartens
or by cooperating with other benevolent socie-
ties that have the free kindergarten system in
charge.
The National Womans Christian Union has
now thirty-seven different departments of work,
each one in charge of specialist, in national,
State and local societies. where the local needs Of
a community demand it. In each one of these
o special effort is made to correct the evils and
destroy the influences that are so largely the
outgrowth Of intemperance.
JOSEPHINE r. NICHOLS,
President Indiana W. G. T. y.
About the Viaduct or Something Else.
TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
tbs very proper that the people should freely