The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-01
VISITING THE UNIONS.
MISS FRANCES e. WILLARD's AD-
DRESS AT THE THEATER.

The President ofthe National Women's
Christian Temperance Union and of
the Worlds Organization in Savan-
nah-What the Women Are Doing
for Temperance in the South.
Miss Frances E. Willard, president Of the
National Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, and Of the worlds organization, ad-
dressed a large audience at the theater yes
terdav afternoon. Gospel Temperance"
was her theme. She spoke for fully an
hour and a half, and was listened to atten-
lively. On the stage were; Mrs. Webb,
president Of the Savannah union; Mrs.
Neblet of Greenville, s. c., state secretary
of the South Carolina union; Mrs. Walker,
Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs Lincoln, Mrs.
Booz, Mrs Feddis, Mrs. McGlashan.
Mrs Rutherford, Miss Lindsey and
Rev. Richard Webb, who introduced the
speaker. Sitting in front Of the stage were
Rev. A. NJ. Wynn, Rev. j. l.. Gilmore,
Rev J. W. Simmons and Rev. j. w.
Rogan.
said that it afforded him great pleasure to
introduce 50 distinguished a parsonage to
the Savannah people I'VE call her Mis-
Willard" he said, "but if she we're man,
her title would be general. She is a com
mander, of one Of the greatest armies OF
the best people in the world
Miss Willard said that she was glad to see
the people of Savannah again. She has
been here several times but her last visit
was quite number of years ago. AS the
works are more to a watch than the case,
she said, taking up her subject, So is the
brain more to a person than the delicate
protection-the skull. As, by careless hand
ling, the one is easily disOrdered, 80 by dis
solute habits, the other is quickly deranged.
For several years Miss W Hard said at
she was teacher IN an Illinois school. She
had fondness for geography and always
liked to teach it. She did rot apply the
study then as she would now She would
teach the geography of the intellect. II she
were asked the greatest world, she would
reply that it is character. 1t is bounded
on the north by sobriety 1t is the
north star, and upon 1T hinges all else.
Character she bounded by integrity, indus
try and gentleness. Surrounded by these,
character could yet be abused Sobriety,
she said, should be sought. 1t is leading
virtue.
Miss Willard said that there is now a
state law in thirty-six states of the union,
providing that the chemistry and hygiene
of narcotics upon the mind be taught in all
the schools. She is just from Florida, where
is endeavoring to have the law enacted.
Speaking of the evils of intemperance,
Mrs. Willard dwelt upon them as colossal
When she stood over the grave of one
whom she loved more than all the world,
she could not conc Give of a sadder sight, or
know deeper grief. She thought then
that the grave Of the dead was the saddest
of all, but since then her mind has changed.
The graves of the living are sights far
"a IN hp tcrl1
intemperance are making their graves.
The speaker said that she had read and
heard much Of the solid south. She did not
like it. But since the white ribbon women
had become united in one great movement,
she hailed with JOY the solid south. She
alluded to work before congress, appealing
for the prohibition of intoxicants in the
District Of Columbia. In present
ing the matter she was confronted
by the attorney for the brewery, who
talked of vested interests. She represented
vested interests also She plead for the
abolition Of an evil which bred vice and
corruption, and which was a destruction to
humanity. 1t is now with congress whether
the District of Columbia shall have
a legal liquor traffic or not. In
urging the eradication Of intemper-
ance she said that an encouraging
feature is the absence of wine on the tables
in this country, as compared with those of
the English. In commenting upon Ameri-
can manners and customs, the English, she
said, are particularly attracted by Ameri-
cans "wineless dinnersn Within the last
fifteen years over 100000 signatures
have been secured to papers praying for
the prohibition OF the liquor traffic. During
the last year G0,0OOOO0 pages OF the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
literature have been scattered throughout
the country, aud a good deal more will be
sent out this year
Miss Willard came to Savannah from
Florida, where she has teen attending the
Florida state convention OF the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. She will at
tend state conventions in nine states and
will visit twenty-four towns before return
ing north She leaves this morning for
Beaufoat, S. c., where she will deliver an
address tonight.