The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-11-25
WHITE RIBBON WORKERS
The TWENTY Fourth Annual Meeting Of
the Florida Woran's Christian Ten
persnce Union. Convened IN Paistks,
November 21st 1907

rived IN Palatka bearing the delegates
Presi Cents from the various Unions
throughout the state. were met by the
committee. all wearing the white rib
bon. who quickly placed them in the
various hacks and carriages dec Drated
with the same colors. looking like a
wedding clrtege. be airing the guests 10
the marriage feast. quickly transferring
them to the homes provided FIR them.
Promptly at 7:30 the meeting WAS
called at the NJ r church. winch hal
been opened and "ered for the US
Of the convention. The church was
filled and the beautiful decorations OF
plants. vines and flowers testified to
the loving thougntfu:ness and work
with which they had opened their
churches. homes and hearts. The wei
come night meeting was opened by
music. and az the skilled fingers of tho
organist swept across the keys of the
organ We felt that not only the music.
but the heart Of the glad performer
was in the happy songs Of welcome
Then came the reading Of scriptures
and prayer. Then that grand old
hymn, CORONATION" and as the organ
pealed out its tone in unison with tn
sound Of human voices. the Keynote
Of the convention was struck: praise,
prayer, devotion
Then came the address Of welcome
for the city by Hon Sam HiIburE.
The mayor Of the city dill rot seem TO
Toe in strict accord with the white
ribbon workers. He waived the honor
and thrust it upon one IF the diyest
men in the city. but aS We sat and
listened. and d:~.a': in those hearty
words Of welco15c. We knew that tho
brand" was al rig, I. The other al
dresses Of welcome from Revs. Bell.
Line. Collins. wora ~ less hearty than
that from the city. Welcome from the
schools. speeches fr I'D different citi-
zens. especially from NIr Tilman. one
who had taken pan in the late cam
Taign. WI fun # Wit, nr-mor and
pathos.
Then followed the uespansas for tho
Unions 81 the state. Offering. followed
by hymn and the benrIictiol. As tho
men and women. came forward with
outstretched hands and smiles. We were
strengthened and encouraged for the
work of the following days.
"Wednesday morning the convention
was called To order by oar beloved
president. Miss Minnie L. Neal Jack
sonville. Reading of scripture. 10th
Psalm. by Mrs. Crews. Just after the
convention opened the glorious news
from Alabama was read. The conven-
tion rose to their feet. singing Praise
God From Whom all Blessings Flow.
followed by the convention salute. way
ing Of white handkerchiefs, and the
words Of White ribbon. white ribbon.
white ribbon. hurrah,-
Roll call was responded t. by thirty
TWO delegates, not counting PalatAa.
nor presidents or residing members.
Appointments of various committees.
Report of executive committee.
At 10 a. m. Campaign Methods of
Workers. which were listened To with
unusua I interest. Mrs. Nelson of
Miami. was called upon To speak of the
work done i'm that city in the recent
campaign. As she ascended the plat
form carrying in her hand a large pa
per bag and uttered the words. We
were not 6ccrated but cheated" the ef-
feet was magical We had found our
Carrie" Natl IN Of the convention. WIG
by her utter fearlessnesS Of speech and
manner and action proved that she
would never ,urn her back To the foe.
She told of various songs sung. one of
them that seemed to capture the crowd.
but il ritatej the opposing faction. was
We have the saloon men on the run
Ne are going To Vote out whisky. rye
and rum She then paid her respects
Il the press. "one was 50 wet-it was
~ppling wct-that il just made you
lave sore throat to read IL" but il
got drowned in the campaign. She
produced from the paper bag the hat
Or can and badge worn by the work
ers. The report called forth great
deal Of applause and enthusiasm. l
wish I had time and space 10 report
same in full. Reports from the various
district presidents. Florida being divid-
ed into eight districts. the nth en-
bracing Marion county. Mrs Coftn.
president. bore the palm If being the
hest organized county. containing l.
W. (. T. Is Report Of L. l. l. and
J. secretaries. being followed by report
~ organizers. one Of the most inter
esting was that Of Mrs. Franklin. O;
Plant City. who stated in an exceeding
~ graceful and highly interesting man
ner how a Union was former in Plant
City. the conditions and surroundings
becoming 50 objectionable thai meet
ing a friend. she said. DO your believe
in PRAYER" Yes. was the answer
Then came the conversation and con-
clusion that a union should he formed
She said. i did not know what t" do
We called a meeting Twenty-tEree Ia
Uies RESPONDED. and on the hotel steps
they c1ngre~atej and one or TWO la
dies had belonged and they gave some