The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-10-03
OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Sends Cheer to the White Ribbon
Women of West Virginia.
"Let us behoue ourselves calamity for
our People,"
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
Nat. W. G. 7. u.
EVANSTON, ILL, Sept. ~, 1888
To THE WHITE RIBBON WOMEN OF
WEST VIRGINIA;

WEST VIRGINIA;
My DEAR SISTERS;
In the midst of cross currents
and conflicting voices earnestly
believe and pray that you will go
straight forward where the White
Banner of the National W. G. T. U.
points out the path, The Mother
Society OF which you are Daughters
has not labored, struggled and been
defeated through all the years,
without learning the best methods
to secure the outlawing of the liq-
uor Traffic and the protection ofthe
Home. From ocean to ocean all
over this great continent the White
Ribbon of the Temperance Women
and the White Rose of the Prohibi-
ton Party are the emblems that
mean victory assured over the
Liquor Traffic within the next one
or two decades. Surely women of
faith will not be SO short.sighted
as TO undervalue the sure method
because 1T is slower than other
methods that are not sure. Nation
al Prohibition is our watchword,
because it means the power Of the
National Government against every
Brewery, every Distillery ana
every Saloon in the United States.
ANYTHING less than this must be
less than the prayer and purpose
of our women would attain. If
we are firm and steady the
Honorable Manhood of this
country, which holds not only
the balance Of power, but as we be-
lieve, the large majority, will come
to this standard before long.
I profoundly believe we are set
for the defence of This faith of Ma
tiopal Prohibition, which can only
be brought about through a Prohi,
bition party in power. That you
will stand by your National officers
and the brave and earnest.hearted
women who are the leaders in your
own State, is my confident belief.
You will do all in your power to
secure Prohibition by Constitution,
al Amendment for West Virginia,
but if you are defeated you will re-
member that four States were thus
defeated last year in obedience to
the behests of the liquor traffic,
which dictated terms to the leaders
of the two old parties, and will do
their utmost to succeed again by
the same means.
Now, more than ever, is the
need imperative for a party whose
highest interests will be to secure
and maintain Prohibition. Remem-
Der that many State besides West
Virginia has baen tried as by fire
but has not grown faint-hearted.
Do not apologize for the grand res
olution you adopted at your last
State Convention. Here it is;
read it over and declare anew your
allegiance:
"Resolved, That we work in every
righteous way with all who will
co operate with Us for the ratifca-
ton of the Amendment; and as a
Constitutional Amendment, to be
effective, must have a favorable po-
litical force back of it to enforce it,
80 we declare our allegiance to the
National Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, and give our sym
pathy to that party which declares
for the Home and Against the Sa,
Loom"
Those are true words. More and
more will the people see this as the
years pass by, Endure hardship
as good soldiers. Take for your
motto in this crisis LET us behave
ourselves valiantly for our people,
Rejoice your hearts as you remembe
your own Grand W. C. T. U. motto
of West Virginia, 'If God be for US
who can be against us?'
Farewell, beloved friends and co.
adjutors. "The Lord of Hosts is
with US, the God Of Jacob is ou1
refuge"
Faithfully and affectionateIy
FRANCES E. WILLARD.