The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-04-30
HISTORY OF THE W. G. II. IT,
HOW 1T, CAME To BE

1
Up to the year 1885 drinking of in
toXlcating liquors was INDUCED in by
all classes of people, including the
ministry. At weddings, funerals,
balls, parties town meetings, fairs,
cattle shows, dedicatlons of meeting
houses and the ordination and in
stallatlon of a, minister, or any other
transaction or assembly either public
or private, social or business, custom
demanded that there be something
to drink. To refuse on such occa-
sions to drink Chad such thing
been thought of would have been
not only discourtesy, but an insult
1t was thought that man could not
do really hard work without it.
The first blow came to this custom
through the writings of very abl.
and distinguished doctor, Benjamin
Rush. He was the friend and pro-
motor of every interest of humanity
and religion. A member of the Con-
tinental Congress, signer of the Dec
laration of Independence, one of the
founders of the first Anti-Slavery So
cleties and the Philadelphia Bible
school and also the Dickinson College
at Carlisle, Pa.
He was polished gentleman and
Tor more than thirty years never
neglected his daily visiting of the
sick in the Philadelphia hospital.
The fruits of the labors of this busy
man are being enjoyed by us of to-
day.
/ His writings stirred up the people
but not until in 1911 was there any
definite action taken. Soon after
this the churches took up the agita-
ton and in 1926 the first temperance
society was founded In Boston.
The Golden Age of Temperance
literature extended from 1881 to
1886. Later, not prevention merely,
but reclamation was added to the re-
form. Organizations of various
names were brought forth but not
until 1851 was there law passed
absolutely prohibiting the sale Of
4 liquor. This was of course in Maine,
being brought, about through the et-
forts Of Neal Dow. Other States en-
acted similar laws, but at the break
ing out of the Civil war these re-
forms we're arrested, for slavery,
secession, reconstruction, took up the
time and the minds of the people for
a number of years.
In 1873 the Woman's Crusade was
launched in the college town of Hills
boro, Ohio. Just before Christmas
DR.. Dio Lewis a lecturer, had told
how his mother and few friends,
had by prayer prevailed against a
saloon which had ruined his home.
He declared saloons could be closed
in this way II every woman had only
grace and courage and persistency
enough. By a rising vote of about
rs women OF high standing and In
fluence put this idea into execution
at once. Their weapons were not
those of carnal warfare, but the spirit
of the living God-song, prayer and
entreaty. Their plea was to the sa-
loon keeper to quit selling liquor,
Mrs. Eliza j. Thompson, wife OF a
judge and the daughter of an ex-gov-
ernor, was at the head of committee
to draft an appeal to the liquor sell
lers. Before going out to the morn
ing meeting her daughter opened her
Bible at the 146th psalm and feeling
Its appropriateness she told her moth
err it was intended especially for her.
Ever since that time this has been
known as the Crusaders Psalm. Ev-
cry day during the winter these meet
ings were held and all the saloons
visited and nearly all of them closed.
Soon after this other similar meet
ings were held and the movement
spread from the north central states
to Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and even
to Oregon and California and east
ward to the Atlanta States.
This enthusiasm was as brief as 1t
was intense, but out of it came the
organization of the largest body of
women ever banded together in the
cause of humanity. At a convention
held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874, 1t
was agreed that the fruits OF the
Crusade ought to be gathered up. A
call was sent out to all Temperance
societies to send delegates to Nat
ional convention. This was done and
| from more than dozen states came
delegates to the number of 1876. The
first president was Mrs. Anna, Witten-
meyer and the secretary was Frances
E. Willard. At this meeting a plan
was made to appeal to the President,
Senator's, members of congress and to
all in authority to lend their influence
to the cause of temperance.
The organization is now In every
state and has a membership and fol-
lowing, including the children's So
cieties, of 100000. There are 40
district departments at work at the
heads u which are as many persons
who are experts in their line.
All states, except one, have laws
requiring the study Of scientific tenn
perance, in schools, and these were
brought about directly by the w. c..
T. u. Also once a quarter, since
1887, there is temperance lesson
taught In our Sunday schools, coming
from the same source.
In 1883 the Worlds w. G. T. U.
was founded in 40 provinces and
countries. 1t is a non-political or
ganization and has always advocated
the ballot for women, partly because
It is right and partly because in this
reform women should have the right
IN m aka har sentiments effective in