The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-06
'OELEGLTEs BACK
FROM milwaukee
MRS. VIM. BiCKERs TELLS OF Ex-
PERlExCEs AT w. c. T.U.
CONVENTION.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT
NOT DISCOURAGED BECAUSE STATE
or MAINE GOES WET-NO CALL
FOR RETREAT-wHAT
HAPPENED.

The Virginia contingent have re-
turned from the Woman's Christian
Temperance Unions great national
convention at Milwaukee. They were
all delighted with their hospitabIe en-
tertainment and with the manifold
evidence of the steady progress in
number and influence of their great
union of womanhood which enjoys the
universal destruction of being thez
unique distinction OF being the lar
gest womans organization in the
world, and upon whose domain the
sun never sets.
Mrs. w. NJ. Bickers, one of the
delegates in discussing the trip had
the following TO say
milwaukee Is beautiful city and
has worthier and better distinctions
to entitle her to fame than her beer
output. not the least of which is the
splendid organization and superb cour-
age of the local White Ribbon Con-
tingent. There are over two thou
sand saloons in this queenly city, but
the temperance sentiment is strong
and growing steadily. the slogan be-
ing Milwaukee dry in 1899
Many Women Attend.
1T was "a splendid body of repre-
sentative womanhood from Maine to
Texas, from the Golden Gate to the
Carolinas, and they were actuated by
common lofty purpose to help hu-
mainly.
The deliberations of the convention
We're characterized by harmony. zeal.
and cordial .comradeship. They were
sisters, fond and true, in the common
cause. and owned the common tie,
The faith actuatiug their militant host
which 'sows beside all waters. was
voiced in the opening song, joined III
heartily by the vast assem- blage.
No Call For Retreat
NO call for retreat can be blown
from the bugle of right" cit is wor-
thy of mention in this connection that
among the contributions from the
worlds womauhood in behalf OF the
battle against the Golfers Of the beer
millionaires, was one OF twenty Ave
dollars from the w. &. T. L. OF Jeru-
salem.
Limited space presents telling the
magnificent new city auditorium in
which the convention was held; of tho
neat speeches of welcome, of the pains
taking care and unfailing courtesy of
our hostesses; OF the surrender of the
puipits on Sunday to representative
speakers; and---oh! l just can't eiab
crate the list OF the delightful things
l haven't space TO talk about.
NO one can adequately conceive
of the great scope and power of the
Womans Christian Temperance
Union until they attend one of these
great national conventions, its big
ness. It's thoroughness. its sanity of
methods, its militant spirit. it's all
pervasive optimism, fta do and dure
| ~ ~ a dnfn
There are 100000 White Ribboners
in the United States; 100000 in Great
Britain. The organization Is active
In sixty foreign lands.
Address Of President.
The address of President, Mrs. L.
Nj. y. Stevens, was a masterpiece
thrilling. logical. forceful, comprehen-
sive. all pervading. This woman. upon
whose shoulders fell the mouth Of
Frances Willard. Is q wondrous power
in the temperance cause, and recog-
nized as such the world over. This
great address was heard by vast
concourse of representative people. in
addition to the delegates There were
fraternal delegates from scores OF or
ganization: Religious. moral. civic,
philanthropic. some having come from
foreign lands.
The reports from the several de-
partnients OF the work were all cheer
ing and gave evidence of the steady
growth of the work all along the line.
In all the reports and addresses
there was not one pessimistic note.
Indeed. as an example Of the intrepid
spirit and undaunted faith permeat-
ing the ranks, simply cite an in
stance; When the result OF the re-
cent election in Maine was Just being
heralded as a wet victory. and 1t look
ed dark for the cause of right
Fear No Defeat.
Mrs. Stevens flashed the answer to
the inquiry OF the press as to thai.
She said: There Is no defeat. n,-
erature ~ printed In twenty lam
guages. 1t Is a worldwide force for
Righteousness. standing four-sauare
for the preservation and purity of the
church. the home and the school. ANY
puny effort to harm this orxaniza-
ton would he as futile rs for boy
In knee pants TO essay tho stoppage
OF Niagara by shooting spit balls a,
the world famed falls.
Il should add that among the ma
tionaI officers is Mrs. Howard NJ.
Hoge, the beloved state president of
the Virginia Union. Mrs. Hoge is
assistant recruiting secretary, and is
very popular Among other well
known workers from Virginia who at
tended the great national was Mira
Lillian A. Shepherd, OF Norfolk. State
corresponding secretary: Mrs. Myers.
OF Roanoke; Mira w. Bales, OF Rich
mond. and Mrs. Christian FINLEY. OF
Norfolk
And now we are all back home
with fond recollections OF 4 great trim
and greater convention. and with
renewed zeal for our sphere of the