The Forrest City times., 1893-11-17
Temperance ArThe FaIr.

For the benefit of those interested wish to say something about the temper ance exhibit at the Fair. In July l re- ceived an invitation to be present at the formal opening ot the department Oa oel- entific temperance instruction AL 'he ap- nointed time I was on hand. After liS- iening to addresses by Mrs. Hunt, the ha- fjonal superintendent, and Bishop Failows of Chicago. spent some time in look'ng over the exhibit, which was most credita- bIe.
 A large map represented in white those states having temperance instruction la" and in black those not having such law. The latter are New Jersey, south Caro- Iiua, Tennessee, Indiana, Georgia and Arkansas.
 Texas and Kentucky had just passed temperance instruction bills, and two sweet, innocent little girls from these states tore the black Otf the map, each rom her respective state.
 Over the exhibit hung the same flag that Heated over it At the Paris exposition where the exhibit wsS awarded gold medal.
 Here were copies of the temperance in- struetinn bills of each state, also of the original national bill. This bill, after its passage by the senate. was sent to the house. March IS. 1ss6 Here it passed by majority of two hundred and nine for to eight against It was signed by Cieve- land, May 20, 1Ss6
 After it's passage the next object was to carry New York and Pennsylvania. This was accomplished and the other states fell into line until only six still have the black on their escutcheons.
 Other nations followed the example of the United States and now Noyla Scotia. New Brunswick. Prince Edwards Island and Sweden have temperance instruction laws. As result there are now eighteen million children under these laws. The star of hope of the temperance reforms stands by the school house, and ''lf We can save the children today. we shall have saved the nation tomorrow" This system is called by foreigners "the American sys tem of education for the prevention of in- temperance" That 1t is regarded as far reaching in its results is evinced by the fact that over the exhibit hung the flags Of twenty-six nations now in correspon- deuce with the National Superintendent upon the subject. Also by the fact that representatives from some Of these nations are actually coming to America to study this system of education.
 There were also on exhibition papers and exercises which had been prepared by school children upon this subject; be- sides these, a book case of text books and many pamphlets and temperance tracts.
 l afterwards visited the temper ance display, in the organization room in the Womans' building. This was most inter- estng.
 The most striking exhibit was perhaps the great petition. This was in immense rois When the temperance women first began to circulate this, they hoped to get a million signers. When the Fair open ei there were already three million sign CTS, and women were signing all the time during the Fair. It is signed by the wo- Jneu of fifty different nations, and is to be presented in turn to the governments of tbe world When three million women set their heads, who doubts that they will carry their points
 Que notable object of the exhibit made a muse appeal for temperance reform and may yet ring the glad iidings of Its achiey- ment. This was the bell seiIt by Japan It was made of the pipes of thousand bcpabCoF- WAo tNtltilBS tue loDdCCD habit presented their pipes to the temper ance missionary. Mary Allen West. It was first toIlrd at her funeral in Japan where she died while still engagAe in her labor of love for humanity. The statue for the children's temperance fountain is model of beauty and simplicity. So many pledge cards were sent by the chil- drea of the Legions that room for them in the allotted space could not be found and many of them were festooned in the Chldren's building. After going through ihese departments and then visiting the temperance temple where l went tO the thirteenth story. came away impressed with the thought that the temerance re- form is assuming vast proportions. And, now. since Arkansas has taken the banner for greatest increase in juvenile gain, Ar kansas workers may take heart and press on. GRAY TAYLOR.
 Supt., s. T. l. for Arkansas.