Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-10
ecHols FROM TNG srATe coNvsM-

ecHoes FROM the STATE coNvEN
TON OF ~. G. Z. y.
Sept. 81 The tweuty-6fth annual COZ
|veutfou Of he Maine Woman's Christjal
Tsupegancs Union opened IN Portland
I: A sessdy downpour Of rain did not pr
vent { goodly number Of white ribbonsr
J from 6elng present at the devotiona
meeting which seemed 70 give the hey
Iuots 70 oil the meetings Of those thre
days. when the president, Mrs. l.. u
n. Stevens. declared the convention
Iopsn an unusually large number OF dele
rates RESPONDED 70 the roll-call. Ever
train increased the numbers and eacl
Zone Of the sixteen counties was repro
scented BY its president, delegates, and
visitors from the several Unions.
| Tho address Of the president occupies
the greater part Of the morning session
/ It was review Of the work Of the past
year, and contained recommendation
for the future work. Reference Wal
made 70 the worlds great prohibition
hero, Neal Dow; born In the city q
which she 70 warmly welcomed the
W. G. +. u. IL was here also that
TWENTY-FIVE years ago Frances willard
received her divine message, thrust In
the Lord and DO good. So shalt thou
dwell Ia the land and verify thou shali
be FED, - and how this consecrated woman
accepted this message the history OF her
| life ONLY can tell. The experiments Of
Prof. Atwater were dwelt upon. The
fact was emphasized that while In
Massachusetts,, Nov. 80, 1898. there were
behind the bars ~ criminals 3S prisoners
for every 10000 inhabitants, In Maine
there were only Is for every 10000
This ID the difference between licensed
Massachusetts and prohibition Maine.
The action Of Secretary Long 10 prohib-
iting the use Of liquors 10 the U. 8.
Navy was most heartily commended,
and II was Q reason for gratitude that
when the North Atlantic Squadron was
In Portland the nature Of the reception
and entertainment did not conflict with
the spirit OF the prohibitory lsw.
The afternoon was occupied by the re-
ports Of the superlntendcnts OF the
several departments and remarks from
Miss Anna Gordon, national vice-prcsi-
dent. Several visitors were introduced,
all expressing much faith In and sympa-
thy for the work.
The report Of the corresponding secre-
tary was very encouraging and showed
that Maine now has lie Unions. Oxford
and Waldo Counties have made great
gains the past year. zone fact that was
clearly defined In each report vas that
the women Of Maine have not lost faith
10 the cause they have espoused."
In the evening the address OF welcome
In behalf OF the city.wss given Jby Mr..
william II. Dow, son Of Col. Fred Dow
and grandson Of General Neal Dow. He
paid high compliment TO the work OF
the w. C. T. u.
Rev. Luther Freeman, pastor OF the
n. L. Chestnut Street Church, welcomed
the w. C. T. u. In behalf Of the churches
Of Portland. Mr.. Freeman paid an In
pressive tribute TO Miss willard and her
followers.
Miss Anna Gordon gave the address
of the evening. The convention was
very fortunate In having present Anna
Gordon, the close friend and companion
Of Miss willard, and who now bears the
same tender relation to our beloved state
Brighter skies greeted the women the
second morning, and large number OF
earnest workers and their friends as
sembled In the church. The first Ar
menian baby born In America was In
troduced, and bright little fellow he 10
Willard Stevens-a name unspella-
BILE and unpronounceable - we'll. A
little two-year-old daughter OF Mrs.
Driscoll was also introduced, and q
white ribbon pinned on TO her wrist,
with the prophecy that she msy some
day become the president OF the w. G.
T. u.
Department work WAS taken up, show
Ing encouraging Increase along oil these
lines.
The memorial service for our ''promot-
ed comrades" Was conducted by Mrs.
Hall Of Rockland. Most tender refer
ence Was made TO those who have stood
90 brave and strong In the work, and
this was the most tenderly impressive
hour OF the convention.
The "Y" hour In the afternoon was
one OF the most encouraging features OF
the convention, for the bright, earnest
faces Of the young ladies we're an as
sursnce Of the c0nsecrated work they
will do for the cause Ia all that stands
for Righteousness and purity.
Greetings from various organizations
and friends were presented, and depart
ment work received special attention.
The county songs sung by each county
were quite inspiring.
The evening address WAS given BY Miss
Jessie Alderman, . worldwide traveller,
and she gave q most thrilling account OF
her experiences. Perhaps the most In
pressive Was the story Of the army can
teen where young boys, just from Chris
tian homes, are compelled to stand BE-
hind the bar aud sell intoxicants to their
comrades. Well may the prayers OF
earnest sisters and mothers 20 up for
the determination Of this fearful curse !!
The last day was devoted TO unfinished
business. The committee on credentials
reported 3G7 delegates. The following
officers were elected:
President, Mn. l.. n. N. Stevens.
Cor. Sec. Miss CornelIa n Dow.
Rec. Sec. Mics Clara farwell.
Asst Pee. 6oc., Miss Esselic Brainerd.
Treas.. Mn. Adelaide Johnston
The resolutions adopted By the con-
veption were sound and strong, showing
that the women OF Maine not only are
boldly waging war against the curse OF
strong drink, but all forms Of evil and
immortality.
The address Of the evening was given
by Rev. Anna Shaw Of Philadelphia
Victory. Previous TO the address Miss
Sarah Munros Hall Of Rocklsnd, musi-
cal director, sang "Victory" most sweet
ly. Miss Hall added much TO the inter.
est OF the convention with her sweet
solos. Miss Shaw's address was plea
for the ballot, believing that we need
more women on the street and more men
ut home, emphasizing the dual work
which she believed was divinely given
70 man and woman.
Thus closed the twenty-ffth annual
convention, and In q brief outline one
can hardly catch . glimpse Of the spirit
and power manifest during these three
days.
VAS TO read the resolution on peace, .
dove few into the window and circled
over the heads Of the audience and rest
ed upon the rail Of the gallery, as II to
bring good tidings Of peace.
After three days Of fesstlng upon the
good thoughts and communion OF kin
dred spirits, we have all gone to our
several homes, communities and
churches-for Whist? May the result Of
this years work be the bringing Of many
sheaves 70 the lngathering Of 1900
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