The Washington times., 1895-01-27
Monster Petition of the Worlds
WOman'S Christian Union.
TO TAKE 1T TO CONGRESS- FEB. Is
Lady Henry Somerset and Miss Frances z.
Willard Will Be Present at tie eere-
mony-Then the Petition VIII Be Taken
to the Old World by Special Chartered
steamer-In Local Exercises

What will probably be the most important
and significant event in the history OF the
Worlds Woman's Christian Temperance
Union viii occur in this city on the evening
OF Friday, February Is.
at that time the big polyglot prohibition
petition, signed by millions o; citizens of
every civilized nation on the globe, will be
presented to representatives of tho United
States.
The ceremonies ineidentto the presentation
will be of the nest elaborate character. Miss
Frances Willard, president OF the Words and
National W. G. I. T., and Lady Henry Som
erset, president of the British branch and
vice president at large OF the worlds union,
will present the petition on behalf of the
signers, the response for the government
to be by gentleman appointed either by the
President or Congress.
Early in April special steamship will be
chartered by the ladies and the representa-
tives of the union will leave New York soon
after. proceeding first to England and then
TO THE CONTINENTAL POWERS
of Europe, Asia, and Africa, TO each of whom
the petition will be presented in turn, the
exercises to take place at the capital OF each
country. 1t is expected that the ship will re-
turn to the United States sometime in the
summer of 1896.
About two years ago the idea OF the poly
glot petition originated. the document was
printed and sent or taken to every country on
earth, and many millions of signatures have
been secured The United States was the
Ice in fba air
lated as this was chosen ds the first govern
ment to which it should be presented. The
matter will probably be formally brought to
the attention of Washingtonians on Sunday
by the pastors Of the Protestant churches,
and it is expected that at least 1000 resi-
dents of this city will attach their names TO
the petition. which reads as follows:
Honorable Rulers, Representatives, and
Brothers.
''We, your petitioners, although belonging
to the physically weaker sex, are strong OF
heart and love our homes.
''We know that clear brains and pure
hearts make honest. loving, happy homes,
ana that by these the nations prosper and
the time is brought nearer when the world
shall be at Leace. We know that
INDULGENCE IN ALCOHOL AND OPIUM
with any other vices which disgrace our
social life. make misery for all the world. We
know that stinulants and opiates, each sold
under legal guarantees. make tho nations
partners in the traffic by accepting as rev.
enue portion of the proceeds.
ave have no power 10 prevent these great
iniquities. beneath which the whole world
groans, but you have power TO redeem the
honor of the nations.
.We therefore come to you with the united
voices OF representative women OF every
land. beseechIng you TO raise the standard
OF the law TO that OF pure morals by enaeting
such laws as shall rid the State and nation
| of the drink traffic and the opium trade, and
protect our homes by the humiliation oil
| those curses of civilization throughout all