People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1893-06-23
The Georgia w. C. 7. u. aud Woman's
Suffrage.

w hen the W oman S Christian lem
perance Union was brought into re-
cent prominence by the refusal of the
North Georgia Conference to indorse
it, because of its connection with
the National Union and the Woman's
Suffrage question" l felt impelled,
as representative of the organization
in Georgia, to come to its defense,
correct certain impressions in regard
to the matter, and define its position.
But while meditating as to whether
it might not be better to bear IN 81
lence, let the record Of It's work speak
for itself and pursue the even tenor
of our way, the controversy began
between those TWO brilliant lights and
friends of the temperance cause, Mrs.
FELTON, and DR.. Gambler, and was
waged so fercely that | felt to enter
the arena then would mean annihila-
ton for one of modest pretensions.
And as both sides Of the argument
had been brought forclbly to light, l
concluded to wait and let the w. c.
T. u. in convention assembled decide
the question.
But the oftener ] have considered
the matter, the moro I have felt that
I failed il duty pax ticularly since
DR.. Gamblers repeated onslaughts and
denunciations against US, and advice
to the Methodist church to close it's
doors against US. For as an organi-
zanon, We now stand before the pub
lie arraigned, Judged, condemned as
unworthy, and rejected by the grand
religious body that has been our
staunchest friend in all the trying
years of our temperance warfare, and
whose churches have been a refuge
and shelter for us in the hours OF our
need. Its disaffection means no light
thing for US. We realize this, and
deeply deplore it. We shall miss it's
kindly aid and protection, and cannot
let it go without expressions of the
highest appreciation and gratefuIness
for all the kindnesses Of the past.
But while we feel this, and believe
IN the consciousness Of its present
attitude toward us, we must, in Justice
to ourselves, correct the impression
that may have prevailed in the con-
ference and abroad, that the Georgia
w. G. T. U. were supplicants for
& endorsement" The organization
had nothing to do with the appeal;
did not know that it was to be made,
and was surprised that it had been
made.
The good minister who offered the
resolution to endorse the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union in its
war against the liquor traffic, did it,
perhaps, out of the kindness of his
heart, to "help those women F" who
were laboring faithfully for the res
ouing of the perishing and the saving
of souls. We are grateful for his
kindly desire to encourage US, and
shall ever bear it in the kindest re-
membrance. But let it be remem-
bered the appeal did not come from
the w. @. 7. U.
The day has passed when we have
to sue for recognition and indorse-
ment. With humanity's pressing
needs and heavens Endorsement for
our work, and constant looking
up for divine help and guidance, and
onward, with careful observation,
study and experience as to the best
way of pursuing it, we feel that we
need neither be ashamed nor afraid
TO press onward.
Our work has ever been open to
the public, and if its record of eleven
years of brave, noble, self-sacrifcing
effort to uplift humanity and remove
the great stumbling block to morality
and religion does not commend it for
endorsement" then it had better be
ignored. It's conventions have been
held in all the large cities of the State,
and the value of its work recognized
by the people and the pulpit and the
press-even by those not in sympathy
with all its plans and methods. The
Rome Tribune (Hon. John Temple
Graves then editor, in bidding US
adieu, after our session there, said
Of us
cit may be briefly said that the no.
bic women Of this convention have
made profound impression for them
selves, and for their cause upon this
community. Whatever the sentiment
of those who have been spectators
and auditors of the even, orderly and
consecrated session of this body, no
man with a soul in him can stand I'M
concerned in the presence of the
splendid and heroic spirits who have
wrought with 1natchless patience
through crowding difficulties, against
prejudice and overwhelming odds,
and with undiminished loyalty and
unbroken ranks kept faith with God
and with each other in the great cause
to which they have dedicated life and
energy and love. In the annals of
noble effort there is no record of
greater conservation than II the wo-
men Of this Union. The Tribune in
reverence and unstinted respect sa-
lutes them IN parting and wishes them
God-speed everywhere"
This is but a sample of the MANY