Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-24

Il & on" 1t is less than . score Of years
~ ago since the womsn's temperance
crusade began its inspiring march in
Ohio with Mother Stewart Of Springfield, DR..
bio Lewis and Mrs. z. F. Thompson of Hills
boro' leading the charge upon the strongholds
of drunkenness to the music Of the martial air
that had led an army to victory and freedom
for the black slaves less than ten years before.
The first praying bands Of women went upon
the streets of Hillsboro' in the last week in De-
cember, 1873 but Mother Stewart began pub
lie and continuous agitation against the rule
of the whisky traffic in January, 1872 The
miracle of this crusade was worked through
that winter and spring of 1874. The street
bands were composed of the good women Of
each Christian community and were gathered
from the orthodox congregations OF the towns
and cities. Their program for q day was to
congregate at church or hall, where the ex-
ercises consisted of q reading from the Scrip
lures. the singing Of a hymn, prayer and an
address upon the practical work of the day.
Then they formed into bands of probably
twenty or less women in each, and. walking
two and two, with the leaders at their head
they went upon the streets singing from the
Gospel Hymns or The Battle Hymn Of the
Women Crusaders"
1.-The light of truth 10 breaking
Let fash along the valleys,
Letit glitter on our streams"
until the streets were filed with the music as
the bands went their separate ways. When y
band arrived at a saloon the leader asked for
permission to enter, and If they were invited
inside they held q service of prayer, reading,
singing and exhOrtation.
ON THE SIDEWALKS
III the doors were closed upon them the
women kneeled upon the sidewalk and prayed
for those who despitefully used them and their
mission. 1t was q matter of no little quiet
testing among the ladies that those OF the
Methodist faith were moro effective workers In
the street than were their sisters OF the Pres
byterian persuasion, but the latter were most
warmly congratulated when in some instances
they became strong in public prayer. Besides
praying and singing in the streets the ladies
''plcketed" the saloons whose doors we're
closed to them; that is, they sat upon kegs or
chairs that were brought them from neighbor-
Ing offices for their comfort. One or two
ladies would guard a saloon and be relieved
from hour to hour, completely barricadlng the
shop. Those who were in remained In seclu-
sion and those who we're out would not venture
IN sight to have their names put upon the list
that was kept. The crusaders had the popular
sympathy. Everybody knows something OF
the great good work that resulted Immediately
from the crusade that soon extended from Ohio
into other states. Saloons were closed and the
late saloonists were helped to succeed In other
business. In many towns the traffic was ruined
for months, and those who kept their bars
open did SO only through being supplied free
from the manufacturers and wholesale dealers
with their stocks in trade. 1t was not all fair
sailing for the kneeling women always. They
were often brutally treated; they suffered cold
and hunger and cruel buffetings, and were
often in peril of liberty and life. Some OF
them received their death ailments in that
winter, but their works lived after them.
THE PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The permanent result of the supernatural
manifestation called the womens crusade is
the women's Christian Temperance Union.
The women who had developed decided apti-
tude and gifts for the work continued to carry
on temperance meetings, distributing the
pledge and working in consonance with the Y.
u CA and the churches. The blue ribbon Of
Francis Murphy was worn by the tetotalers.
The women began to organize into local unions,
and in Cleveland, Ohio, in November. 1874, the
National Women's Christian Temperance
Union was organized. Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer
of Philadelphia was made president and Miss
Frances E. Willard of Chicago corresponding
secretary The first annual meeting was held
in Cincinnati, November IL, 1875, and dele
gates from twenty-five states furnished their
credentials.
THE NATIONAL BODY.
The National W.C.T.U. has now forty-three
auxiliary state and eight territorial unions, be-
sides that Of the District Of Columbia 1t is the
largest society ever composed exclusively Of
women and conducted entirely by them. The
pledge taken by all members Of the W.C.T.U.
Is follows: II hereby solemnly promise
God helping me, to abstain from all distilled
fermented and malt liquors, including wine
beer and cider, and to employ all proper means
10 discourage the use of and traffic in the
same" Miss Frances E. Willard 10 now presi-
dent Of the National Union.
ORGANIZED IN THE DISTRICT.
The W.C.T.U. for the District of Columbia
was organized in September, 1874. The first
meetings were held in the Y.MC.A. building,
Lincoln Hall, corner Of 9th and d streets. Mrs.
Anna NJ Linville was elected president, Mrs
Noble, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs Roach were the
vice presidents, Miss A. W. Kerr and Mrs
Church were secretaries to the organization,
and Mrs. Bradley was the treasurer.
The history of the temperance movement in
this country, in Great Britain and Canada, Aus
tralia, Hawaiian Islands. New Zealand, India
and Japan, Madagascar and South Africa, has
been the history of it in the District Of Column
bia-progress in all good work, advancement in
charity for all and fruitful growth in grace.
From small beginnings in the District there are
now fifteen auxiliary unions, with a member
ship of five hundred and fifty: beside there are
young women's unions and bands of hope for
the children.
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