The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-12-21
Call for aConvention of Women Who Are
Opposed to Miss Wizards Methods.
Those Who Believe the Prohibition Question
Ought to Be Divorced from Politics Asked
to Meet at Cleveland, Jan. 22.
An Organization That Promises to Do
Much for the Cause of True Temperance.
Prohibitionists Profess Satisfaction at the Out
GENE Of the Conference in Indianapolis
just What They Wanted.
TEMPERANCE WITHOUT PARTY.
Call for q Meeting OF Christian Women WHO
Are Not Dominated by Politics.

TEMPERANCE WITHOUT PARTY.
Call for q Meeting Of Christian Women Who
Are Not Dominated by Politics.
CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 20.-The following
call was issued to-day by the provisional
committee of the non-partisan w. {. I. u.
TO the Public-For five years a serious
division of sentiment and opinion. has ex-
listed among the membership and between
the leaders of the National Women's
Christian Temperance Union on the sub
ject of the proper attitude towards 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
III legislation has been nOn-partisan through
methods. by the joint efforts of the best
men OF all parties, they commanded MS to
place ourselves in such position that we
could neither ask nor accept such aid In
the future. Many left the union and gave
mp temperance work. Others continued in
their local unions doing non-partisan work
and advocating nOn-partlsaD doctrines,
while. at the same time, paying their dues
TO a partisan national. quoting their con-
sciences by the specious sophistry that it Is
consistent to advocate and defend a prin-
ciple at home, and at the same time pay
money to support the national. to denounce
and anathematize that same principle
abroad. Many women have remained in
auxiliary relations because. by years OF pa
tient labor. or by bequest. they have be-
come possessed of valuable property, which
they hold as corporate bodies, and did not
feel willing to go ont without a struggle
and begin anew the long, hard task of gain
ing a foothold and a support, leaving to
others, for their pleasure and profit. the
fruits of their years of labor. But by far
the larger Ter have acquiesced In the
partisan action of the national, and are
still following it's Lead.
Already the press has announced the
fact that a representative conference of
non-partlsan temperance women was held
in Chicago, immediately after the close of
the National w. c. L. L. convention. re-
sulting In the unanimous decision that the
time had come for another national organ
ization and the appointment of "a provision
al committee. who should have the interest
of this new movement IN charge, and
should call a national convention of nom
partisan temperance workers in Cleveland,
o., at as early a date as practicable The
action OF the national in regard to questions
dividing the workers and producing con-
fusion in their ranks was such as to satisfy
those who expected a retractiOn of former
utterances, on the part of the majority. that
they were only cherishing a delusive hope.
The chasm between the advocates of par
tisan 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 impossibie; redress of
grievances was denied. Only one recourse
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 a new or
ganiZatiOn for the following reasons.
"First-We believe the political policy of
the National Women's Christian Temper
ance Union to be wrong in principle. con-
trary to tho letter and spirit of the original
constitution, illogical in its reasonings, in
consistent in its conclusions and exceed
ingly detrimental to the cause of temper
ance.
"Second-We believe that the work of
Christian temperance stands above aud be-
yond the lines of party or sect, INT we can
not follow the lead of the national in
pledging our influence TO any party. We
must be free to call on the best men of all
parties for the aid We need. and must have
help to make our work q success. We must
have the influence of the press of the Ma
tion, so far as that influence is on the side
of God and humanity, irrespective of party
lines. We must range under our banners
sections of our Nation. which cannot be
lone by any organization whose sympathies
and support are pledged to a parry.
"Third-An increasingly large number of
women who have contributed money, in
huence and years of hard, self-denying
labor to build up the National w. c. Il. u.
feel that their usefulness is crippled and
their consistency questioned by the equiv
ocal policy of the NATIONAL. which avows
its allegiance to and boldly champions the
cause of a political party, while a. the
same time it denies its partisanship.
Fourth The refusal of the national
union. by an overwhelming. majority. to
adopt q n~On-partisan amendment to it's
constitution makes it imperative for honest
nOn-partisan women to let the world under
stand that they will no longer remain in
this anomalous position. being committed
by resolutions and so-called tests of loyalty
80 oftn IN o
while disayowing the same in the field:
and since the old organization will not
right the wrongs that have resulted from
the unwise and unjust policy, but shOwSa
doubts in the minds of women in the
ranks. and treat with unveiled contempt
all who differ from the majority in regard
to methods of work, dissenters must
quietly yield or withdraw in company with
those of like faith. and pursue the course
that seems right and wise.
"Fifth-A demand is also growing for a
national temperance society less complex
in it's aims. and more simple in Its govern
ment, which will work liz it's organized ca
direct bearing upon the temperance reform.
"Sixth-The unchristian treatment &C
, corded to Christian Women. from year to
year, who dare TO utter sentiments in these
national assemblies not in harmony with
their chosen policy emphasizes the need of
another organization.
"S~eventh-The increasing imposi biiity of
working tremendously with the Ma
tional w. G. +. L., without sacri-
flee of honest convictions and
self-respect, or the alternative of leaving
the work altogether. which many cannot
do because their commission is from a high
or source than the national union. de-
mands a new organization through which
thousands of women, who Will not be COM
promised by the partisan attitude of the
National w. C. L. IT,, as we'll 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 tue over
throw of the drink traffic.
THE lamentable loss of moral power that
has resulted from the partisan attitude G.
tho National w. c. Il. U. may be in a meas
TIRE retrived by a society keeping itself free
from all party entanglements. so free that
no political vultures will ever hover over
its conventions. hoping to bear away any
influence that will help them to places OF
power. We desire TO organize on a basis &C
broad that PRAYER may be made for us In al
churches without fear of offense. The con
sideration Of the public is asked. its advice
il sought and it's Cooperation Is greatly de
sired. We seek the prayerful aid Of pastor!
of churches. superintendent OF sunday
schools and Christian workers III all fields
We do not propose to build our work or
the ruin of the old. but we do hope u
profit by the experience of the past
We invite correspondence. Let all wht