The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. NationNation, Carry Amelia
History
The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. Nation
Nation, Carry Amelia
Nation, Carry Amelia, 1846-1911; Social reformers -- United States -- Biography; Temperance -- United States
I could tell of many amusing incidents, indeed. I could fill a book
of interesting anecdotes. Once when I was among the Thousand Islands
of the St. Lawrence, in the summer of 1902, a characteristic woman with
a very low dress, with a very long train, the whole a mixture of paint,
powder, lace, flashy jewelry and corset stays, with as much exposure
of person as she dare, came to me in an affected manner, handed me a
roll saying: "I am a temperance lecturer, here is one of my bills." I
replied: "If you are such, you had better make a practical application
of temperance and cover up yourself." The change of her countenance
was instantaneous and she with a queer almost startled look said: "You
go to He--l."
Once in Elmira, N. Y. the streets were so crowded that we had to
leave the Salvation Army Hall. I climbed in a farmer's two horse wagon.
He came out of a saloon and gathered up the reins and laid the whip
to his horses, which were caught so as to let me out.
Mr. Furlong, my manager, had a keen sense of the ridiculous and
would let me alone when I started out. He said he knew I could take
care of myself. Often when I would rise to speak to the thousands in
the parks, there would be yells and groans, and a manager at Youngstown,
Ohio, said to Mr. Furlong: "She will not get a chance to speak."
Mr. Furlong said: "You watch how she will handle them." I would
always quiet them for at least a time. Once they were determined not
to let me talk. I at last went to one side of the stage and began talking
very explanatory to some parties in front. The rest wanted to hear,
so they were quiet. Then I gave them the hot-shots of truth. I always
invited interruptions by questions. I had no set speech and these questions
would bring out what the crowd wanted to hear. I like especially
the questions from those who oppose me. I have bad men to shake their
fists at me saying: "You are an anarchist and ought to be in the lunatic
asylum." One agent of a brewer in Hartford, Conn., kept on disturbing
the meeting; at last he said: "Why did Christ make wine?" I said:
"the wine that He made did not rot. His was the unfermented juice of
the grape. God made healthy fruit and grain. The devil rots them and
makes alcohol, which rots the brain, rots the body and rots the soul, and
that is what is the matter with you."
When I first began my lectures I was not taken seriously by the
people. They did not see the great principle back of the work. My
manager said: "We must make all the dates this year, for next year
it will not be so easy." I said: "You will find it easier, for I will be
more popular." He shook his head, but sure enough it was easier. We
could not fill the dates, and now the calls are more and more all over
the country.
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