The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-09-26
THE DEMOREST CONTESTS.
VALUABLE MEDALS FOR YOUNG
PROHIBITION SPEAKERS.

How Votes Are Being Made All Over the
Country-Prejudice Decentralization
Bitterness AIlayed-Prohibition senti-
ment Aroused-G1owing Testimonials.
Nearly fifteen hundred medals awarded
during the past two years and half.
Such is the report of Mrs. Charlotte F.
Wood bury, superintendent of the Demo
rest medal contest work, who is kept busy
at her desk in the headquarters of the
National Prohibition bureau, New York,
answering letters and giving instructions
to assistants in nearly every state of the
Union.
EFifteen hundred medalsl That means
as many Prohibition meetings in groves,
tents, school houses, churches and halls.
These meetings attended by hundreds
whose prejudices are so strong and bitter
ness so intense that they would not go to
q Prohibition meeting even to listen to
the finest orators of our land.
Fifteen hundred medals also means not
less than ten thousand speeches, delivered,
it is true, by youthful orators, girls and
boys of from 10 to 81 years of ace, but
speeches from the hearts and brains of the
leaders Of the Prohibition party. st. John,
Fisk, Miss Willard, Mrs. Lathrop. Balm,
Demorest, Thomas, Finch and others have
contributed to the collection of orators
from which the declamations are taken,
and their words lose little of their virility
and influence when uttered by young lips.
Said Kansas Republican editor re-
Gently: II can but admire the pluck, per-
sistency and skill Of the Prohibitionists
This evolutionary contest business is the
sharpest thing I ever knew
An Ohio uritar IN Thn Now Fra
1.-The interest in these contests is some
thing remarkable, and reaches not only
Prohibitionists, but Democrats and Repub-
icans. We have found it one of the best
means of educating the people, especially
the young, I'm the grand principles of pro-
hibiiion. When this great question is
brought out, as it is in these contests,
the tariff question is thrown IN the shade,
and people see that the problem Of the
liquor traffic is Of paramount Importance.
1.-The boys and girls, young men and
young women, all make efficient workers
I'm this way"
Ap Ohio lady writes: II believe one such
contest will result in more good than half
dozen campaign speeches"
Mrs Balch, Of Indiana writes: THE
universal verdict is that the medal work
Is the most promising plan of all for
drawing the people to listen to Prohibition
arguments.
One of the most energetic of Missouri
white ribboners says: Conc of our con-
tests has aroused the ire Of one of our
Democratic editors, and we have as one of
our means of defense 'beycotted the
paper. -
In North Carolina contestsare promi-
nent feature of the energetic campaign
going forward there, and the vote will be
Increased largely as result
In Connecticut, the state Prohibition
committee has appointed a superintendent
of medal contests, and is pushing this as
part of1the regular campaign.
North, south, east and west these con.
tests are being held, not only making
votes for the Prohibition party but train
ing up orators among the rising genera
ton to, take the places of those whose
tired hands will soon drop the load of re-
sponsibility.
1t was wonderful Thought; brilliant
stroke of political strategy. And w.
Jennings Demorest, whose brain planned
and whose purse supplies these medal
contests, deserves the praises and bless
ings which are lavished upon him from
all parts Of the land by enthusiastic Pro
hibitionists. From Contest to Con
quest" has been chosen as the motto OF
this work. May it prove a prophecy as
well as an inspiration.