Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-12-21
WHY THEY ORGANIZE.
The w. G. T. q. Seceders Is
sue an Address.
A CALL FOR A CONVENTION.
Nom Partisan w. Q. T. U. Workers
Invited to Unite Under q
New Banner.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HEEALD.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HEEALp
CLEVELAND. Ohio, December 20.-Tht
Provisional Committee of the non-parti
san Woman's Christian Temperance
Union today issued an address to the
public. The trouble between the mem
bers and leaders of the National W.C.T
U. which eliminated at the last conven.
ton in the withdrawal of those delegates
opposed to an alliance with the Prohibi-
ton party, is discussed at length. The
document says harmony seemed impos.
sible; redress of grievances was de.
MED. Only one resource was left, and
that was to form a new organization for
the following reasons:
First. We believe the political policy
of the National Woman's Christian Tenn.
perance Union wrong in principle; con.
trary to the letter and spirit Of it's origi-
nal constitution; illogical in its reason
ings; inconsistent in it's conclusions, and
exceedingly detrimental 10 the cause OF
temperance.
Second. We believe that the work of
Christian temperance stands above and
beyond the lines of party or sect, and
we cannot follow the leaders of the Ma
tional W. @. 7. U. in pledging our inf1u-
ence to any party. We must be free to
call on the best men OF all parties for aid.
We need and must have help to make
our work success. We must have the
influence of the press of the nation SO far
as that influence is on the side of God
and humanity, irrespective of party
lines. We must range under our BAN
ners the Christian temperance women Of
all sections of our nation, which cannot
be done by an organization whose SYM
pathies and support are pledged to q
certain party.
Third. An increasingly large number
of women who have contributed money,
influence and years of labor to build
up the National w. g. I. U. feel that
their usefulness is crippled and their
consistency questioned by the equivocal
policy Of the National w. @. T. u,
which avows it's allegiance to and boldly
champions the cause of political party,
while at the same time it denies parti-
sanship.
Fourth. The refusal of the National
Union, by an overwhelming majority, to
adopt the non partisan amendment to
the constitution, makes it imperative for
the honest non-partisan women to let
the world understand that they will no
longer remain in this anomalous position
being committed by resolutions and 90
called tests of loyalty to partisan action
in the union, while disavowing the same
in the field; and since the old organiza-
tion will not right the wrongs that have
resulted from this unwise and unjust
policy, but shows discrimination to stamp
out all honest doubts in the minds of
women in the ranks, and treats with un-
yelled contempt all who differ from the
majority in regard to the methods OF
work, the dissenters must quietly yield
or withdraw in the company of those of
like faith, and pursue the course that
seems right and wise.
Fifth. The demand is also growing
for national temperance society less
complex in its aims, and more simple in
it's government, which will work in it's
organized capacity for such objects only
az have direct bearing upon temperance
reform.
Sixth-The unchristian treatment ac-
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.
Seventh-The increasing imposEibility
of working harmeniously wiSh the
National w. 9. T. q. without the sacrifice
of honest convictions and self.respect, or
the alternative Of leaving the work 81
together, which many cannot do because
their commission is from higher source
than the national union, demands new
organization, through which thousands
of women who will not be compromised
by the partisan attitude of the National
W. @. T. o., as we'll as thousands who
have not yet enlisted, may combine their
efforts, and, in unity Of spirit and the
bonds of peace, labor for the overthrow
of the drink traffic. The lamentable
loss OF moral power that has resulted
from the partisan attitude of the National
W.C.T.U. may be in measure retrieved
by the society keeping itself free from all
party anglements-so free that no
political vultures will ever hover over it's
conventions, hoping to bear away any
influence that will help them to places Of
power. We desire to organize on basic
so broad that prayer may be made for us
in all churches without fear of offense
The consideration of the public is aeked,
it's advice is sought, and It's cooperation
is greatly desired. We seek the prayerful
aid Of pastors of churches, superintend-
ents of Sunday schools, and Christian
workers in all fields. We do not propose
to build our work on the ruin of the old =,
but we do hope to profit
by the pact. We invite correspond
ence. Let all who are interested in
this national movement respond without
delay. If any are ready to enlist under
the partisan banner, let them
say 60 at once. If any have God
speed for US, let them mail it, as go
many have done, that We may know
whose hearts thrill with new hope be.
cause of this rallying call. On Decem-
Der 23d. the anniversary of the crusade,
we entreat our women to renew their
vows before God, and solemnly pledge
before him who knows our hearts, that
hand in hand, with simple faith in our
divine leader, and the courage that
overcomes difficulties and knows no de-
feats, we will seek to stay this deadly
pestilence, which cuts down the
GREAT and gifted, as we'll se
the low and degraded, and
makes the fairest spots on eai th
darkened desolation. Nor will we know
rest till God calls uH home or gives us
the desire of our hearts-a land frf
from the dominion of the drink traffic
To this end we invite all in sympathy
LII, o,~ ,,r;p n; pIoa oud ,afhoda tn m ae