The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1908-09-12
MEMeER ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Frances E. Willard, the great leader
OF the White Ribbon hosts for so ma
ny years. This Union was effected in
April, followed by Unions at Santa
Fe, Las Vegas and Socorro. Later
in the same year the Territorial I'm
ion was organized by Mrs. F. Shields.
of Colorado. Thus the work was in
augurated in New Mexico, and the
first convention was held at A1bu-
querque in 1883. 1t is meet that we
review briefly some of the work done
by earnest Christian women during
the passing of the years. We find the
preamble to the first constitution
reads as follows: Whereas, in the
providence of God, the time seems to
have come to the women of New Mex.
leo, to put forth more effort to sup
press the great n dreadful vice of
intemperance, which abounds in our
midst; therefore, we agree to be gov
erned by the following constitution
and bylaws, desiring the cooperation
Of all good people in the prosecution
of this work and trusting in God for
guidance"
Article II reads, as it does today:
THE object of this Union shall be to
%endeavor to reclaim those who have
fallen by the use Of intoxicating
drinks, and to educate the young that
they may lot fall and to create SEN
timent in favor of total abstinence OF
the part of the Individual and the le-
gal prohibition of the liquor traffic."
Among the resolutions adopted
then, we find one in favor of the bal
lot for women, showing conclusiveIy
that the women who participated in
this movement twenty-five years ago
were progressive, and a inculcated
the idea that the world was made
for women co. Following the rec
much good work a been done along
educational, reformatory and philan-
thropic Ines. Young people were int
crested through the medium of the
Young Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, sometimes called the
"Y." Children were taught primary
temperance in the Bands of Hope
and Loyal Temperance Legions. Sci
entiic temperance instruction in the
schools became a law and many re-
legislation. Protests against the sale
Of liquor to the Indians, and petitions
of varied nature have been sent to
congress. Money has been raised and
sent to suffering humanity, such as
the Arme1ians were. Material aid has
been given rescue and children's
homes. Many lectures have been held
under these auspices, by noted speak
ers, each leaving good Impressions
upon the communities visited. 1t is
conceded by many people interested
in the welfare of our territory, that
If it were not for the courage and
influence of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, temperance senti-
ment could not have reached the
point it assumes today. This conven-
in New Mexico. 1t is needless for me
to say that the association with the
w. C. T. u. women has been very
pleasant, and that there is much
more to at present than
n year ago. / suspect thai you al |
ready know that my election as your |
president two years g was that of
the office seeking an incumbent, |
which is not always the case. The |
former president felt that she must |
give up the work at that time, and
I had just entered the Territory a
few months before. An experience of
more than twenty years at the work, |
recommended me, and for the rest
you took me on faith. Our work was
at ebb-tide. Only one Union holding
regular meetings, two paying dues,
and a third wondering If it was
worth while. Do you wonder 1 looked
this condition much as one
upon the fac OF the dead? II
wrote letters to every w. c. It. U.l
of whom I could hear, asking
her cooperation. Many c~ourteously
replied. although not able to take
up active work. assuring me of their
Many old workers had
gone away. some were discouraged,
bat . few brave ones were wiIiing to
do what they could.- They COULD
Bign the pledge. vear fha vhffa nh