West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1886-04-28

State agent, Rev. 81. W. Conant,
did vote for st. John. This long
established organization had been
crippled somewhat in finances, be-
GAUGE good contributors took UNI
bragg at Mr.. Conant's course in
1884, and it entered on the Amend
ment Campaign without adequate
resources. Still, there were liber-
al givers left yet in its memb er-
ship, and Mr.. Conant showed rare
discretion and quiet activity that
deserves great praise. He made
speaking engagements for nearly if
not quite all the speakers who took
part, and he did exceeding we'll.
Everything ran so smoothly that
almost it seemed the campaign
must be running itself. The i'll
ness and unavoidable failure of
Mr.. Finch to be present, embar-
raised Brother Conant greatly, and
likewise the unfortunate man who
had to stand in Mr.. Finch's shoes.
But as rule the platform breaks
we're few, and disappointments
rare.
A potent factor in the contest
was the Providence Young Mems
Prohibitory Club, which grew to
number perhaps five hundred be-
fore election, and which led to the
formation of others in other towns.
Senator Colquitt suggested this At
ter detailing their plan of work in
Atlanta.
An effort to secure Governor Col
quit for a second speech failed but
there was no lack of talking talent.
1t should be said that no speaker did
more for the Amendment than Mrs.
J. Ellen Foster, with her constitu-
tional arguments. She wac one
of the earliest on the field, and she
worked nobly. One of her audiences
in Music Hall numbered nearly
or quite two thousand men, and her
plea before these was pronounced
powerful. Walter Thomas Mills,
of the Voice, did able service, and
made converts. Mrs. Mary T.
Lathrop's addresses were mastery
in their grasp of great principles,
and profound in their impressions
on heart and conscience she moved
all who listened to her, wherever
she went. The droll originality of
George R. Scott, of the New York
Witness, his pungent common sense
and keen arrow-shots, told happily.
Miss Frances E. Willard thrilled
all, and won all hearts. Mrs. Nc
Laughlin's genuine womanly pa
thos touched and convinced. Mr..
Vibbert's arsenal of facts was as
ready at all times as gatling gun.
The Jubilee at Music Hall, Prov
idence, on Thursday evening,
April 9Th, held with but ten hours
notice, proved an immense affair
and will be long remembered. All
the "outside" speakers but two had
gone beyond recall yet these were
scarcely needed. Home talent
abounded; the great auditorium
was packed; popular feeling ran
up to fever heat; everybody re-
joiced. What hearty, happy
crowd it was! How it cheered the
dozen ten-minute orators, and
roared itself wild over some faint
attempts to be funny 1t had
come there to be jubilant, and
surely it filled the bill. About the
most practical speech was made by
Mr.. Conant, ending with call for
volunteers to organize a Constitu-
tional Club for enforcing purposes (;
and FIVE hundred men rose at once
to their feet. These tarried after
the Jubilee closed, and perfected a
solid organization which will be
heard from. To see them thus
prompt and ready was a pledge of
ultimate success reaching far be-
yond the ballot box, and into the
executive places OF government.
Rhode Island was visibly in ear
nest.
The election of Judge Metcalf as
Attorney General was in itself a
thing to rejoice over. Col. Colt,
the present incumbent, re-nomi-
n l.