McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1915-09-24
and her words the most comforting

and her words the most comforting.
So loyal and true to a principle was
she, that for many years she would
not commune in her own church, as
dearly as she loved it. because therein
was the use of fermented wine. So
unselfsh and devoted was she to the
work Of the W. G. T, u, when the
means for the carrying on the war
fare were lacking, she refused her
small salary allowance, that it might
be used to carry on the great work.
Mrs. Holman was a great leader.
She was by nature endowed with those
gifts and charms that commanded
respect and challenged attention and
admiration. She carried no bitter
ness in her heart, and comforting
word she always gave. She was as
much at home before Congressional
committee in Washington, or State
Legislature, as in the quiet circle of
her local organization. She was won
derfully familiar with means and meas
ures, and intelligently and conyinc-
ingly discussed issues with the ablest
of men, deferring at ali times to the
opinions of the men before whom she
appeared, and ready to take advise
and suggestions from those interested
in the work to which she had dedi-
Gated her life. Standing firm and
steadfast everywhere and all times,
there was no compromise of prin-
ciple with her.
rhave seen her at the head of the
marching columns of the white ribbon
ers in the nations capitol on bleak,
winter day asking congress for the sub
mission Of the constitutional amend
ment on prohibition. ! have heard
her sing and pray and speak there for
the cause she loved so well. | have
seen her surrounded bv her faithful
followers in the capitol of her great
State, cheering them with her coun-
sells and inspiring them with her faith.
have seen her in the National meet
ing of the w. G. 7. U. and in the
State conventions, the same charming,
lovable and loyal character. I saw
her in the city of Nashville in the
memorable fight for Statewide prohi-
bition in 1909. She was in the Legis-
lative halls, in the counsel chambers
where the ablest of the men had
gathered for the conflict, when the
liquor traffic had marshalled it's forces
for that desperate engagement, max
ing Tennessee the battle-ground, when
its corrupt and INSCRIPTIONS minions
we're at every turn, breathing defiance
and destruction. and challenging the
manhood and womanhood of Tennessee
to combat. The great leader Of the
W. c. 7. u, Mrs. Silena Moore Hol-
man was ever present. With her
loyal followers she communed and
sang and prayed, and was eterwhere
an inspiration and a benediction.
Through the long dreary hours Of the
night. she never left her post The
final moment came; Statewide prohi
bition was reality
But with that she did not cease her
labors. She kept up the organization,
and continued to spread the principles
and teachings of the w. C. 7. U.
throughout Tennessee. She was pres
ent in the Legislative fights in 1911,
in 1918, in and in 1915, working and
praying for the complete redemption
of Tennessee. 1t was my pleasure to
be frequently in her company during
these years, and no one in Tennessee
has done more for the cause Of prohi-
bition and good government than has
the departed leader of the white rib
bon forces in Tennessee.
Her thoughts were for the cause
she so much loved, and in her last
hours, as she must have caught Gimp
ses of the other world, she did not
forget. She finished amid the most
excruciating pain her annual address
for the State Convention so soon to
assemble, and on the last evening of
her life, when the sun was sinking,
and the shadows frightening, her
great spirit summoned to her bedside
few of her faithful followers, and
into their hands she committed the
unfinished work, telling them to ad-
monish the white ribboned hosts
throughout Tennessee and the nation
to keep up the work. She fell asleep
in Jesus. While she will mingle no
more with her comrades here, it is a
sweet consolation to know that her