Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-21

the initial movement. Mrs. Watson, Of
Pittsburg, is Provisional Secretary OF the
seeding body.
CLEVELAND, December 2O.-The follow
ing call was issued to-day:
The Provisional Committee Of the non-parti'
san W. c. T. o., to the public: Greeting:-For
nve years serious division of sentimenS and
opinion has existed among the membership and
between the leaders Of the National Women's
Christian Temperance Union on the subject OF
the proper attitude toward politics and politi-
cal parties. Five years ago this organization,
by resolution, allied itself to 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 Of the best men of all parties, they
commanded us to place ourselves in such q
position that we could neither ask nor accept
such aid IN the future. Many left the union
and gave up temperance work
sPECIoUs soPHISTRY.
Others continued in their local unions, doing
non-partisan work and advocating non-partisan
doctrines, while at the same time paying their
dues to partisan national. quieting their con-
sciences by the specious sophistry that it is
Consistent 10 advocate and defend principle
at home and at the same time pay money to
support the national TO denounce and anathe-
Matte that same principle abroad
Many women have remained In auxiliary re-
larions because, by years of patient labor or by
bequest, they have become possessed OF val
liable property, which they hold as corporate
bodies and did not feel willing to go out with
out struggle and begin anew the long hard
task Of gaining a foothold and a support, leav-
ing TO others for their pleasure and profit the
fruits of their years of labor But by far the
larger number have acuuiesced in the partisan
action Of the national, and are still following
its lead.
Already the press has announced the fact
that a representative conference of non-parti-
san temperance women was held in Chicago
Immediately after the close Of the National W.
c. Z. q. Convention, resulting in the unani-
nous decision that the time had come for aD-
other national organization, and the appoint
ment OF a provisional committee, who should
have the interest of this new movement in
charge and should call a national convention
of non-partisan temperance workers in Cleve-
land at as early date as practicable.
"A DELUsIvE HOPE.
The action Of the national in regard to ques-
tions dividing the workers and producing con-
fusion in their ranks was such as to satisfy
those who expected retraction Of former ut
terances 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 griev-
Rnces was denied.
Only one recourse was left to such as be-
lieved they enlisted at the call of the Lord and
could reure from the work only when he mus
tered them out of service, and that was to form
o new organization for the following reasons:
First-We believe the political policy of the
National Women's Christian Temperance
Union to be wrong in principle contrary to the
letter and spirit of the original constitution;
illogical in its reasonings inconsistent in its
conclusions, and exceedingly detrimental TO
the caHseo of temperance.
NEITHER PARTY NOR SECT.
second--we believe that the work Of
Christian Temperance stands above
and beyond the lines Of party
or sect, and we cannot follow the lead of the
National in pledging our influence to any par
ty. Wemust be free to call on the best men of
all parties for the aid we need, and must have
help to make our work a success We must have
the influence Of the press of the nation SO far
as that influence is on the side of good and hu-
manity, irrespective of party lines. We must
range under our banners the Christian tenn
perance women of all sections of our nation
which cannot be done by an organization whose
sympathies and support are pledged to party
Third-An increasingly large number of
women who have Contributed money, influence
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 equivocal policy of the
national, which avows its allegiance to- and
boldly champions the cause Of political party
while at the same time it denies its partisan
ship.
Fourth-The refusal of the National Union.
by an overwhelming majority to adopt q nom
partisan amendment to its constitution makes
1t imperative for honest non-partisan women to
let the world understand that they will no
longer remain in this anomalous position being
committed by resolutions and so-called tests,of
loyalty to partisan action in the National
while disavowIng 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 show a determination 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 Of work, dissenters must
quietly yield or withdraw in company with
those Of like faith and pursue the course that
seems right and wise
TEMPERANCE REFORM ONLY.
Fifth-Ademand is also growing for a ma
Sonal temperance society less complex in its
aims and more simple in its government, which
viii work in its organized capacity for such OBJ
jects only as have direct bearing upon the
temperance reform.
sixth-The unchristisu treatment accorded
20 Christian women from year TO year who
dare to utter sentiments in these national as
semblies not in harmony with their chosen
policy, emphasizes the need Of another organi-
Seventh-The increasing impossibility of
working haTmoniOusly with the National W
C. 7. q. without sacrifice of honest convictions
and self-respect or the alternative of leaving
the work altogether, which many cannot do
because their commission is from higher
source than the National Union, demands a
new organization. through which thousands of
women, who will not be compromised by the
partisan attitude of the National W. c. T. u
as well as thousands who have not vet en-
listed, may combine their efforts and, in 'the
unity of the spirit and the bonds of peace" /"
labor for the overthrow of the drink traffic
LOSS OF MORAL POWER.
The lamentable loss of moral power that has
resulted from the partisan attitude Of the Ma
tional 'WOmen's Christian Temperance Union
may be in a measure retrieved by a society
keeping itself free from all party eutsnele-
ments so free that no political vultures will
ever hover over its conventions, hoping to bear
away any influence that will help them to
We desire to organize on a basis SO broad
that prayer may be made for us in all churches
without fear Of otfense. The consideration Of
the public is asked its advice is sought and its
cooperation is greatly desired We seek the
praverful aid of pastors of churches superiua /
tenoents OF Sunday schools and Christian
workers in all fields. We do not propose 20
build our work on the rum OF the old, but we
do hope 20 profit by the experience of the mast
We invite correspondence. Let all who are
interested in this National movement respond
without delay. If any are ready to enlist un-
der non-partisan banner, let them saw SO az
once. If any have Godspeed for US, let them |
know whose hearts thrill with new hone be- |
cause Of this rallying call.
THE CRUSADE Anniversary.
December q. the anniversary of the crusade
we entreat our women to renew their vows be- |
fore God and sOlemnly pledge before Him who |
Knows our hearts, that hand to hand with
simpie trust in orr Divine Leader and cour- |
ace that oVeEcomes difficulties and knows no |
defeats we viii seek TO stay this deadly pesti- |
Hence which cuts down the great and the |
--sF~na e. uo1l as the low and dpCrahed ard |
makes the fairest spots on earth darkened
desolation nor will we know rest till God calls |
home or gives rs the desire of our hearts-a |
land free from the doninion g the drink |