Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-11-14
WHITE RIBBON ARMY
Begins Its Convention
at the Hub.
MISS WILLARD'S ADDRESS.
An Eloquent Greeting and Review
Of the Temperance Cause.

uDle pace III fremont Pic was II e1
yesterday nm hour before the exercises of
the dual convention of the Worlds and
National W. G. r. unions were announced
TO begin. Flags OF MI nations were
draped about the galleries, with appropri-
ate notices suspended between, and the
great platform was n perfect bower of
plants aud beautiful floral emblems, with
streamers of the American colors floating
from he great organ over an immense map
Of the world and and "a banner bearing
the words Christ for the World"
II was $40 when the president, Miss
Frances l.. Willard, raped the audience
to order, and all joined in singing hymn
written for the occasion. Responsive
scrptural readings, prayer by Mrs.
Cramer Of New Jersey, and trio COM
peted the opening exercises. The roll call
was followed by tho reading of the re-
ports Of previous meetings and the ap-
pointment of committees.
The crowds in the us!es had become SO
dense at Miss Willard announced that
an overflow meeting had been arranged
for at Park Street church, where many
prominent women would deliver addresses.
But the crowd lad come far and near to
hear Miss Willard's annual address, and
only those who lined the corridors ard
stairs were induced by the ushers tp 20
across the street.
Miss Willard was gr eted with long-con-
tinued applause. Her address was very
lengthy, and was given with Characteristic
fervor
The Address.
Beloved Comrades Of thu Worlds and Ma
tional White Ribbon Host--When | consider
who are now gathered in this historic hall. the
meaning of your presence becomes well-nigh
overwhelming. The hands that wave these
altna nf l.,Nr. ,,1a
tho heads Of little children, of whom we have
100000 ia our Loyal Temperance legions; they
have given out total abstinence pledges 20 a
million tempted men; they have pinned the
ribbon white as tho talisman of purity above
the heart of many tempted prodgal; they
have carried bread to the hungry, and broken
tho broad of life TO those who were most hum
cry OF all for that. although they knew 1t not.
These hands have carried petitions for the
protection OF the home, for the preservation Of
tho sabbath, for the publication of the law;
and during seventeen years OF such honest
hard work as was almost never equallcd, they
have gathered not fewer than $4,000 600 names
to there petitions.
Questions about our attitude toward differ
ent creeds are often asked me, and | have no
answer better than the one that you perhaps
have noticed this year floating in the great
Gulf stream of the daily press: "Our creed Is
Jesus Christ. Any belief in him-the smallest
being assumed better than any belief about
him-the grestest-or for that matter about
anything else" There are many donomipa-
tons, but the different branches
Rear tho s-ir-ssms Fruit.
The church itself must have new crusade.
IL must become the peoples home. Its doors
If gospel grace must stand open night and
day; Il must not be huge ocked-up cube of
masonry, with a dead atmosphere inside dur
Ing six days of the week
review Of the many departments was
then aiyen aad their hour,shiug condition
noted. The criticism is often made that
tho white ribboners attempt too many
things; but therein lies much OF its
strength. as IL appeals 10 al tempCraments
aud tastes.
"wbere there is drink there is danger" is
the white ribbon creed boiled down. The name
given to strong drink In Africa is shane
water" Let Boston, which in the last year
sont over 10000 SALONS of rum, valued at
more than SlO00,0O, 10 the Dark Continent,
mediate upon this shame; let the ministers,
elders and deacons who stood at the ballot box
beside bartenders and drunkards 10 vote down
the constitutional amendment for which
Christian women had prayed and pleaded
ponder on these words.
Attention is also called to the homes for
neglected children depending upon charity
because # drunken parents. Kinder
garter .jiods were heartily proved of.
Physical Culture and Dress reform
were tDuCneu upon. MISS w lllAfu SAID
that tho power expended in artificial
methods OF dress would turn all the mills
between the Mississippi and the Merrimac.
or the department Of scientific temper
ance instruction, Miss Willard said: 1T is
the Gibraltar Of God in human life." A
high tribute was paid TO Mrs. Mary A.
Hunt, whose eloquence upon the subject
Is so well known. The press work was re-
viewed, and the labor question considered
carefully. This" said Miss Willard, "is
aquestion for all of us to weigh carefully.
But under all this les the temperance
question. Tho Knights Of Labor have
glorious motto: "That Is the most per-
feet government in which an injury to one
Is the concern of all"
Glow shah We Deal with the Drunkard,"
the sorrowful question, so near to the
heart and home of thousands Of people,
was the next topic.
To all queries the scientist has answered,
DRUNKENNESS Is disease" and the theologian
has thundered, drunkenness is "A sin. " But
the all-around nineteenth century Christian,
equally occupied with things, natural and
spiritual, says I'm the mans body he Is sick
and in his soul he sins; treat him for both
diseases, for the case is that OF n sick sinner"
10 he gives him good care and taking the /.
flask from his pocket, puts the Bible in its
place"
hlSs w ltlhTus DltNNiHe HFAl Uehlb WIN
total abstinence. political platforms
said she, care the produc. Of seasons Of
repentance when sins Of the past are
brought forcibly to mind by the desire TO
wln votes in the future. The party which
demands prohibition Of strong drink is the
only one that can hope tpr the good will Of
the W. G. 4. L. We declared this in 1884,
and sink or swim, live or die, survive or
perish we will stick 10 10. We believe In
civil service reform in its highest mug.
wumpian sense"
The Afternoon Session.
Lunch was served in the Meionaon and
Chapel hall TO the visiting delegates aud
kuperintendsnts. Many remained in the
lpper galleries between tho sessions and
bach OF the overflow meetings were
mevded
The afternoon programme opened with
singing, followed by service sf prayer In
memory OF Mrs. Downs, president OF the
New Jersey w. G.. T. T., whose fuuersl
was taking place al the same hrur.
The FIRST bu siness vas the report OF Mrs.