St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-21
ENEMIES OF WHISKY.
The Non-Partisan w. C. r
U. Fires It's First Big
Gun.
Willardisn and Partisanship
Given as an Excuse for
Secession.
Proposed Plan for a 'EGo6s
Home and Native Land
Organization.
Call for a Convention to be-
Held at Cleveland, jan
uary %.


lowing call was Issued to-day:
The Provisional Committee Of tie
Non-Partisan ". G. L. U. to the Pub
lic-Greeting: For five years serious
division of sentiment and opinion has
existed among the membership and be-
tween the leaders Of the National W'onl-
ems Christian Temperance union an
the subject of the proper attitude tG-
wards politics and political parties.
Five years ago this organization, by
resolution. allied itself to a political
party. While confessing by the words
of their most prominent leaders that all
that has been achieved for temperance
in legislation has been through non
partisan methods by the joint efforts og
the best men Of all parties, they com,
manded US TO place ourselves IN such
position that we cOuid neither ask noE
accept such aid in the future. Many
left the union and gave up temperance
work. Others continued in their local
unions doing non-partiSan work and al,
vocating non-partisan doctrines, while
at the same time paying their dues to
partisan national,
QUIETISG THEIR C0SsCIESCES
by the specious sophistry that it IS cons
sistent to advocate and defend a priR-
ciple at home. and at the same time pay
money to support the national, TO de-
n0Unce and anathematiZe that same
principle abroad. Many women have
remained in auxiliary relations, because
by years of patient labor, or by beqUest.
they have become possessed of VaIuabE3
property, which they hold as corporate
bodies, and did lot feel willing to go
out without q struggle and begin anew
the long. hard task OF gaining a fo0t-
hold and support, leaving to others
for their pleasure and profit the fruits
of their years of labor. But by far the
larger number have ac9uieseed III the
partisan action of the national, and ara
still following its lead. Already the
press has announced the fact that rep
resentative conference of Hen-partisaa
temperance women was neld in Chicago
Immediately after the close Of the Ma
tional w. c. L. =. convention. resulting
in the unanimous decision that tie tlHId
had come for another national 0rgaAiz&-
ton and the appointment of pro-
visIOnal committee, who should have
the interest of this new movement in
charge, and should call q national con-
vention of non-partisan temperauee
workers in Cleveland. o., at as early q
date as practicable. The action OF tfia
national in regard to questions dividing
the workers and producing
CONFUSION IN THEIR RANKS
was such as to satisfy those who exs
peeted a retraction OF former usGeranceS
on the part of the majority that they
were only cherishing a delusive hope.
The chaSm between the advocates Of
partisan and non-partisan methods OF
temperance work was apparently wider.
and no desire was manifest on the part
of the majority to have it bridged.
Harmony seemed impossible, Redress
of grievances was denied. Only one re-
course was left to such as believed they
enlisted at the call of the Lord and
could retire from the work only when
He mustered them out of service. and
that was to form new organization, fog
the following reasons:
First-We believe the political policy Of tIla
National Womens Christian Temperance
the letter and spirit of the original eO1stitUr
ton, Illogical in its Teasonings, inconsistent
in its conclusions and exceedingly detTi-
mental to the cause of temperance.
Second-We believe that the work OF Chris
tan temperance stands above and beyond
the lines of party or sect. and we cannot fol-
low The lead of the National in pledging our
influence to any party. Ne must be free TO
call on the best men or all parties for the aid
we need and must have help to make cur
work success. We must have the influence
of the press of the nation so far as that in
fuence is on the side of God and humanity,
irrespective of party lines. We must range
under our banners the Christian importance
women of all sections of our nation, which
cannot be done by au organization whose
sympathies and support are pledged 10
party.
Third-An increasingly large number o.
women, who have contributed money, infiu-
ence and years of hard self-denying labor TO
build up the National W. c. 7. o., feel
that their usefulness is crippled and their
consistency questioned by the eQGlv0caf
policy of the National. which avows its ale
glance to. and boldly champions the cause of
a political party. while at the same tine Il de-
MES its partisanship.
Fourth-The refusal Of the National union,
by an overwhelming majority, to adopt a
non partisan amendment TO its constitution
makes il imperative for honest bipartisan
women to let the world understand that they
will no longer remain in this anomalous po-
sitiou, being committed by resolutions and
so called tests of loyalty to partisan action in
the National, while disavowirg the same IN
the field; and since the old organization VIII
not right the wrongs that have resulted from
the unwise and unjust policy, but shows
disposition to stamp out all honest doubts
in the minds OF women IN the ranks and
treat with unveiled contempt all who differ
from the majority in regard to methods OK
work. dissenters must quietly yield or with
draw in company with those OF like faith
and pursue the course that seems hight and
wise.
Fifth-A demand IS also growing for q
national temperance society less complex
in its aims and more simple IN its govern
meut: which will work in its organized ca
paclty for such objects only as have dlrees
bearing upon the temperance reform.
Sixth-The un-Christian treatment accord
ed to Christian women, from wear TO year,
who dare 10 utter sentiments IN these nation
al assemblies not in harmony with their ehO-
sen policy, Emphasizes the need OF anotheE
organization
working harmoniously with the National W
C. T. q. without sacrifice of honest couvie.
tons or self respect or the alternative OF
leaving the work altogether. which many
cannot do, because their commission is from
u hi her source than the national union, de-
mAnds new organization, through which
thousands OF women who Will not be com
promised by the partisan attitude OF the Ma
tional W. G. T. T.. as well as thousands who
have not, yet enlisted, may combine their
efforts and, ''in the unity OF the spirit and
the bonds of peace" labor for the overthrow
of the drink traffic.
The Iamentable loss of moral power
that has resulted from the partisan atti-
tuae of the National w. c. L. Q. may
be in measure relieved by society
keeping itself free from all party en-
tanglements, so free that no political
vultures will ever hover over the con-
vention, hoping to bear away any lntiu-
pnce that will help them to places OF
uower. Among the signers Is Mrs.
Harriet G. Walker, OF Minneapolis.