New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-19
WOMEN READY FOR THE FRAY
WILL MRS. FOSTERS FRIENDS co oUT9
PROSPECTS or A LIVELY OPENING AT THE

CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
The first session of the Wornan's Christian Tenn
perance Union Convention, which opens in the
Metropolitan Opera House at 10 o'clock this morn
ing, will in all probability be lively and inter
esting. 1t may prove, in fact, the most exciting
part OF the convention, as it will involve the de-
cision Of the question whether Mrs. J. Ellen Eos
ter shall or shall not continue 10 be member OF
the Union. This point will como up for settlement
during the roll call, and President willard will be
asked for ruling as 30 whether she sustains the
action OF the official organ Of the Union in dccIar-
ing that Mrs Foster had ceased to be in spirit
not in name Christian Temperance Union
woman II Miss Willard declines to give de-
cision, an appeal will probably be made to the
convention, and if that body decides to stand by
the papers uttcrance, then the Iowa Union, and
large number Of other delegates who opposed to
such tyrannical policy may withdraw from the
convention.
MRS. FOSTERS FRIENDS IN EARNEST.
This, of course, would he an unfortunate be-
ginning, but Mrs. Fosters friends are thoroughly
in earnest and do not intend TO submit to what
they believe TO be most unjust treatment Said
one OF them yesterday: We are all loyal
w. g. I. U. women, every one Of us. We want
to see this convention successful as the others
have been. but we shall certainly protest with all
our might against any action involving the cx-
pulsion Of woman like Mrs. Foster, who has
done so much for the cause dear to us all What
has she done TO merit condemnation? Nothing
but to assert right guaranteed to every mem
Der Of the Union-that Of exercising her political
privileges, as an individual The Union requires
nothing more than that its members shall SUBJ
scribe TO the total abstinence pledge and thu con-
sttution of the National Union Miss Willard
says so herself in her card to the papers published
political faith. Yet in the face Of all this hear
this talk Of thrusiing out one OF our most loyal
members, because she declares herself TO be Re- |
publican
1T WOULD INJURE THE UNION.
Is this farp Is it just? Is it conducive 10
our progress as Union. Is it in the interests of
temperance work. think not. If members are
to be called to account in this way, then why
allow Mrs. Chaplin, the unreconciled rebel, to
continue to declare her everlasting antipathy to
the Union and everything Republican? Oh! /
haven't patience to discuss this thing temporarily
1t is too outrageous, and | cannot think the ma
jorty OF the delegates will adopt such an unwise |
and unjust policy, even il Miss Willard is led |
by her Third party affiliations to indorse the |
action Of The Union Signal in reading Mrs |
delegates and other friends of Mrs Foster really |
bolt? Oh. cannot speak authoritatively on that
point. They are discussing the question now. 1t
is a serious problem, and we are all reluctant to
do anything that will inlurc the Union Yet
something must be done. The Union is prosperous
but do you notice the fact that it has really grown
but little since it made the alliance with the Pro-
hibition party IN 1874? Look at the number Of
delegates here. Only 400, and we have had 500 |
OF other conventions in the past. Not only this,
but we know that when the Union ceased to be
non-partisan in its methods hundreds Of members
withdrew. We have not gained much ground
under the new policy Let us hope the convention
will realize this fact and recede from its partisan
position That would make this a glorious meet
ing