The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-13
THE TEMPERANCE Union.

"The home against the saloon'' was the
aninating principle of the great convention
of the National and Worlds Women's Chris.
tan Temperance Unions which was lately
held in Boston. This convention, which
represented more than ten thousand local
unions in America alone, with a member
bership in this country Of more than one
hundred and fifty thousand, was attended by
delegates from all parts Of the world Not
only were England md other European
countries represented, but also Canada,
Australasia, Japan, China and India.
The objects Of the Women's Christian
Temperance Union, as stated in the resolu-
tions adopted by the conventian, are diverse,
but they group themselves about the central
purpose to uss the influence Of women,
through tho home, the church and such
public functions and relations as women
possess or may obtain, against vice, and
chiefly against the vice Of drink, which the
members regard as the central vice Of ALL
the sum Of all villanies."
Few great conventions have ever met
which showed so complete an absence Of dis
agreement, and yet. as we have said, the
programme Of the Union Is a very extensive
and varied one, which must provoke sharp
discussion unless the members were prac-
tically Of one mind.
This programme demands, first of all, total
abstinence from alcoholic drinks for the in.
dividual. and legal prohibition OF the manu-.
facture Of and traffic in such liquors for the
State. In order that women may work
more effectively for these things, they are
formally advised by the Union to use every
practicable means to obtain the ballot and
secure equal Governmental rights"
The local unions are given leave To render
any assistance which they deem best to any
political organization which Is acting in
harmony with the principles Of the society.
In several ways in its resolutions the
National Union commits itself, and urges its
members to work along the line Of poll
tics.
In one of its resolutions it protests against
license or leniency toward lotteries, and
condemns various public manifestations of
vics and immortality.
Following its purpose to pursue its objects
through as great q degree Of influence upon
legislation as it can exert, the general con-
vention Of the Union petitionsd Congress
for several things. One Of these Is the Hatia-
cation by the Senate Of q treaty which was
proposed to the Governments of civilized
countries by a Congress Of Nations held at
Brussels last year, and which has for its
object the exclusion Of intoxicating liquors
from large parts Of Africa, and the more
complete stamping out OF the slave trade
there.
Congress was also asked to appoint two
commissions, composed OF men and women,
one to investigate social vice, and one to
make inquiry into the alcoholic liquor
traffic; and to settle all difficulties, at home
Inc with foreign countries, by arbitration.
The convention also memoralizei the con-.
missioners of the Worlds Fair Of 1893 at
Chicago to close tho gates Of the Fair or
Sunday, and to prohibit the sale OF intoxica.
ting drinks on the grounds.
The influence Of the Womeu's Christian
Temperance Union upon public affairs has
already been considerable. Largely through
its efforts, in thirty-f1ye States OF the Union
special instruction with regard to the phyji-
illogical effects Of alcohol has been intro
duced into the public schools. 1t is esti-
mated that thirteen millions Of children have
come under tho influence Of instruction Of
this sort.
But the great mass OF the work of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union is
not along the lines of public agitation.
There is, besides this, o great deal OF direct
benevolent and evangelistic work. Many
neglected children-the majority OF them,
no doubt. neglected because their parents
love drink better than they 10 their children
ARE cared for AL put upon the right road.
1u many ways the members OF this grand
body continually work to protect society at
largo against drunkenness and vice, or to
repair tie rayages caused by them.
The delegates to this great convention
were earnest and manifestedly united In their
purpose. Their deliberations were of a calm
and systematic sort, though they were at
the same time characterized by a great deal
of enthusiasm. Youths COMPANION.