Why and How : a hand-book for the use of the W.C.T. unions in CanadaChisholm, Addie
History
Why and How : a hand-book for the use of the W.C.T. unions in Canada
Chisholm, Addie
Temperance -- Societies, etc.; Woman's Christian Temperance Union -- History
In 1879 Miss Frances Willard was chosen president, and under her
able administration and remarkable skill in leadership 100,000 women
organized in unions are now marching onward to the goal of
prohibition, bearing with them the hopes and prayers of many who
would be in that procession if they could. We know that in the houses
of many, even of the liquor sellers, sit pure women whose prayers go
up quietly, but none the less sincerely, and with no less faith than
those of the white ribboned army, for the downfall of the liquor
traffic, and for the triumph of the gospel of peace and goodwill to
man.
It was largely through the effort of the W. C. T. U. women that the
State of Kansas, on Nov. 2nd 1880, adopted the amendment to the
constitution of the state, prohibiting the manufacture or sale of all
intoxicating liquors, except for mechanical or medicinal purposes.
In Ohio, in 1883, the whole campaign for the constitutional
amendment was planned and directed by the president of the W. C. T.
U., Mrs. Mary Woodbridge. In this she was ably assisted by all the W.
C. T. U. women throughout the state. Such was the earnestness and
spirit of sacrifice manifested that when, at one convention, the
question of finance was discussed, it was unanimously decided that
they would _go without gloves_ for a certain time, that they
might have more money for this campaign. It is worth while for us to
observe here that, in this contest, great importance was attached to
the distribution of temperance literature. We are told that leaflets,
cards, and circulars went out "by the bushel." Printed appeals were
sent to all corporations and companies of any size, sermons were
preached on the subject not on Sunday only, but in some places on
every day of the week. On the day of the vote the ladies visited the
polls, furnishing lunches to all, and gave out the ballots for the
amendment. Over $20,000 was raised in that State during that year for
the work undertaken by the W.C.T.U. Although they were not successful
in gaining the amendment, the returns show that in many counties
fraudulent count had been made, and it is believed by those in a
position to know that an honest count would have carried the
amendment by a large majority. As it was it received 323,167 votes,
while the license amendment received but 98,050. A majority of any
votes cast at the general election was necessary for adoption. In
Florida the passage of the Local Option Bill was due, as one of their
legislators testifies, to the influence of the W.C.T.U.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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