USA > Ohio > Memories of the crusade a thrilling account of the great uprising of the women of Ohio in 1873, against the liquor crime > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Lancaster also began work on February 10th. It was a hard field, but the hosts were led and cheered on by such grand women as Mrs. General Ewing and Mrs. Reece, sister of General and Hon. John Sherman, and much effective work was accomplished.
(15)
CHAPTER XII.
Enlisting the Children-Columbus Convention
N CASTING about for ways and means to advance my work and to reach and enlist all classes, my thought was early drawn to the children. I felt the great need of such influences being brought to bear directly upon their minds, to counteract and fortify them against the saloon, that was an ever-present snare and source of temptation. And I visited the Sunday-Schools, as my time would permit, for this purpose. Then, as others entered the work, we appointed a committee of ladies to take charge of this work, visit the several Sabbath- Schools and enlist teachers and children as far as possible. We have always found that it is not hard to enlist the children in a good cause, if we care to make the effort. Our children had be- come greatly excited over our work, especially after our Crusade began. We accordingly ar- ranged for a children's meeting on Sabbath after- noon, February 22nd, at 3 o'clock, in Black's Opera House. The reporter says of that meet- ing :
What would have been the result had Sunday afternoon been at all pleasant, is difficult of imagina-
226
227
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
tion. The Boston Jubilee building would hardly have entertained all the boys and girls in the city who would have turned out for that mass-meeting at the Opera House at 3 p. m. As it was, the house was packed to the very limit. Away back in the gallery a crowd of little fellows were hanging on by their eyelids to the windows, and every aisle had its ranks of persons standing, and still many went away disappointed of even a glimpse. There was that in the eye and manner of even the young people which showed that they knew why they were there; and meant all they expressed in their manner. And the speaking and singing were strictly in accordance with the attendance. Altogether it was a grand affair, and such a meeting as gives support and sta- bility to any good cause and those engaged in it.
This was the first children's meeting of the Crusade, and at it I remember that great mass of boys and girls at my call sprang to their feet to pledge themselves for temperance. One bright little girl came to me, and in a whisper asked if she could sign the pledge and eat mince pies. "Why, yes, my dear, " I answered, "if your mamma will not put any brandy in her pies. She could then sign the pledge and eat mince pies too." "I have signed the pledge " she replied. I told her to ask her mamma not to put brandy in any more, so she could eat mince pie without breaking her pledge. The mother of that little girl was a Christian lady, but had not dreamed of the stumbling-block she was putting in the way of her child. The child, though so young, saw the in- consistency.
Some of our Crusaders found that they had a little crusading to do at home before they could with much success appeal to the saloon-keeper.
228
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
They would be met with the very pertinent ques- tion, "Have you crusaded your own cellars and closets before coming to me? What about your home-made wine, your wines and brandies for your pies, cakes and puddings ?"
They would quietly withdraw and have a lit- tle liquor pouring of their own, not down in the bills. Not, however, making as clear a sweep of it as my friend Mrs. Parker and her husband of Dundee, Scotland, after hearing Gough upon his first visit to that country. They went home, gathered up all their bottles of wine, poured out the wine, broke the bottles and sent the goblets after, not supposing the goblets could possibly come into use if they had no liquor.
I found there were a good many women who did not quite take in the full meaning of the injunc- tion, "Touch not, taste not, handle not." One poor woman who was having a sad time with her husband because he was being ruined by drink, appealed to me to help her prosecute the liquor- seller. I began investigating, lawyer-fashion, to see what there was in the case, with the leading question, "Do you know that man sells whisky to be drank on the premises?" "Oh yes," she said, " I saw him selling to Mr. M- when I had gone in to buy some brandy for mince pies." " Why," said I, " my dear, is it possible you use brandy in your pies?" " Yes'm," she answered. "Don't you ever do it again. Will you promise me?" "Yes'm." Here, this woman had been cultivating her husband's appetite with her own
229
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
hands, then turning and crying out to me to help her save him from the consequences. Besides, she had given away her power against the liquor- seller by patronizing him herself. Some years after the Crusade, being called to one place where the women had done a grand work in the campaign, I incidentally heard of one of the good sisters saying a few days before, "If it were not for the looks of the thing, I would go to the saloon across the street and get some brandy for my mince pies." Not even yet had she learned to "shun the very appearance of evil."
And this reminds me of a good minister in Michigan whom I heard vehemently denouncing the liquor and the liquor-seller and the whole business. " Why," said he, "I would not be seen going into one of those places. If I had occasion to go I would send some one else !"
MARYSVILLE.
The calls for help are pouring in. The day is breaking and the long night of sorrow, may we not hope, is passing away.
On the evening of February 2Ist, Saturday, upon my return from my day's work, I found my friend, Mrs. Sharp, of Kingston, awaiting me. She had been commissioned by the ladies of Marysville to come and bring me to them, to organize and lead them out. I sent them a dis- patch to be in their Church on Monday at 3 o'clock, and I would be with them ; that being the first train by which I could reach them.
230
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
Arriving at the place, we went immediately to the Church and found a good audience awaiting us. In an hour I had them organized, the band formed and marching on the streets, while the bells pealed out the news, "The women are marching."
Oh, those inspiring bells! The "Bells of Shandon on the river Lee" never thrilled the heart of the poet as did those Crusade bells the hearts of the Crusaders. Two ladies living on the outskirts of the town had not heard of the meeting till the bells told them the women were marching. They hastily threw on their wraps and came, almost running, to join their sisters.
In that band of eager, devoted women I noticed one bowed nearly half down with some spinal affliction. Yet she was laboriously keeping up with the rest. Her face told of much physical suffering, possibly mental, too. Yet she could not forego the happy privilege of joining her sisters in that holy warfare. Dear Jesus, Thou hast many such who would follow Thee even to the cross as they of old.
As we made our several calls, we found one man who was disposed to draw the ladies into a discussion on the healthfulness of his beverage of the beer tub, and one lady caught the bait. She assented that beer was "in sickness very beneficial," and added that she was herself using it for her health. I saw the good lady was giving her cause away to that saloon-keeper and hast- ened to the rescue. I told her it would be well
231
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
for her to give up its use, as it was all a delusion about its possessing the health-giving properties ascribed to it. She said her doctor advised it. "Then," said I, "change your doctor." I learned afterwards that the physician was her brother. In the course of my lecture that even- ing, I took occasion to speak of the manufactur- ing and handling of the stuff; stealing a glance towards the lady, I noticed this caused quite a grimace of disgust.
Our mass-meeting at night was a grand affair. I was requested at the close of my lecture to call for a guarantee fund. The responses came in briskly for a time, but at length began to slacken up somewhat. Just then a gentleman called out, "I see I made a mis- take. Put me down for another hundred dol- lars." Another called out, "I am as rich as he is, put me down for another hundred." A third said, " I have no money, but I have a good horse and buggy, put them down for me." A fourth said, "put me down for a horse and buggy." And thus in a few minutes a fund of several thousand dollars was pledged to the work.
I tell you those guarantee funds were potent persuasives. The saloon men understood and felt the force of money, sometimes, when they were not moved by prayer. They knew that meant enforcement of law, and they knew they broke the law every day. I had told the ladies I would give them just nine days in which to close out the half-dozen saloons in their town.
232
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
But that guarantee fund, added to the women's prayers, pleadings and songs, finished up the work in six.
The last saloon was closed, the bells were ringing ! Oh, how they rang, how they rever- berated out over the plains for miles and miles away. They kept on the glad peal after peal. The country people dropped their work, caught up their horses, their carriages, their wagons, everything available; and men and women and children hastened away to the town. And still the bells pealed on. The town filled with peo- ple, the women were marching and the people fell into line, and truly there was "great joy in that city." One of the saloon-keepers having rolled out his liquors, and insisted that the Cru- saders should themselves have the happiness of knocking in the heads with their own hands, swept and garnished his place and prepared a sumptuous dinner for the Crusaders, with the in- vitation for each to bring a friend.
When the repast was ended, the ladies seeing where an after-piece would come in nicely, two of them taking each a hat, passed among the guests, received a very nice donation, which they tendered their generous host, quite sufficient to enable him to open up a more respectable busi- ness. Another of the fraternity, finding his oc- cupation gone, and now that his better self had an opportunity to assert itself, began to feel ashamed of his business and himself for having been engaged in it, declared he was going to "do
233
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
what the devil had never done, -leave Marys- ville." And he departed with the intention, as it was understood, of finding a more respectable business elsewhere.
But a fearful testing-time came to many a poor toper. After the excitement subsided they found that tyrant, appetite, was still alive, and the more imperative because of the enforced abstinence. There was not a drop of liquor to be had, not even a drug-store where they could get it without an order from a physician, so read the druggist's pledge. A physician told me some of his experiences which were at times very amus- ing. Their pleas were often quite ingen- ious, some bordering on the pathetic. A man would hasten in, apparently much excited, and report that his wife was very ill; would the doctor make him out an order for some liquor for medicine? But the doctor being shrewd enough to suspect the true state of the case, would propose to call and see the sick woman first. This would put quite a different aspect on the affair, and the thirsty husband would with- draw, remarking that he did not think it would be worth while.
What a bitter cold night was that 23rd of Feb- ruary ! Though my kind hostess did her best to make me comfortable as possible, I did not get warm the whole night. Up, however, by the first dawning, and driven by the Rev. March some eight miles in that crisp, stinging atmos- phere to take the train for Columbus, where our
234
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
great State Convention, which had been called by Dr. Lewis, met that day.
Though I write all the time with the fear of seeming too minute and tedious in detailing the work and scenes of the Crusade, I yet desire to give as clear an idea of it as possible without wearying the reader. I also wish to make this all too imperfect history sufficiently accurate for a sort of reference in years to come. For this reason I give the reports as I find them in the papers, wherever I can, rather than from my own memory. And I now quote, though the report be rather extended, the account of our first State Convention in the interest of the Crusade.
The morning meeting, Tuesday, February 24th, was given to the work in Columbus, help- ing the ladies to organize and encouraging them. I felt, however, that rather a serious mistake was made in the decision to rule the brethren out from any participation. There were some of the best men, ministers and laymen, in Columbus, to be found in the State. I need only to mention Revs. Keene, Gardiner, Wallace, with many others whose hearts were overflowing with sym- pathy for the Crusaders, and whose knowledge and judgment were most necessary in that pecu- liarly hard field. I learned, indeed, that in the course of a month the ladies saw the mistake and invited the brethren to their councils. Diver- sity of gifts and labors, but community of inter- ests. " Ye twain shall be one flesh." Neither
235
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
man nor woman alone, but unitedly we shall take this world out of the hands of Satan and wicked men and rule it in righteousness. From the press of the next day I copy :
The Temperance Convention this afternoon, for more perfect organization of the woman's work, was the most harmonious and enthusiastic, as well as the best managed Convention which has met here for many years.
By 2 P. M. most of the seats in the City Hall were filled, there being at least *1.200 persons,representing all parts where the movement has been in progress, and where it is not yet started. The Convention was called to order by the Rev. W. B. Chadwick, of Columbus, and on his motion Dr. Lewis was unani- mously chosen Chairman. C. M. Nichols, of the Springfield Republic, and Rev. Mr. Badgely, of Millers- burg, were named as Secretaries. Mother Stewart, of Springfield, was then escorted upon the stand and offered prayer. This somewhat unusual proceeding was most happily conceived, and the audience pre- served a deep and reverent silence during the short and touching supplication. The assembly then sang, " All hail the power of Jesus' name."
Dr. Lewis invited the delegates from all places where the women's war had been carried on, to send their most active workers upon the platform, and some fifty ladies came forward.
On motion, a committee on permanent organiza- tion was named, consisting of five ladies and three gentlemen. Mrs. Eliza Thompson, Chairman ; Mrs. B. J. Custer, of London ; Mrs. Mary Brown, Mrs. Conway, of Cedarville; Mrs. McCabe, of Delaware ; and Messrs. Stewart, Gardiner and Keene.
The following were named a Committee on Reso- lutions; Mother Stewart, Chairman; Miss Lizzie McFadden, of Cadiz; Mrs. M. W. Baines, of Spring- field; Mrs. Lowe, of Xenia; Mrs. Dr. Sharp, of London ; Mrs. Sarah Pollard, Columbus, and Messrs. C. M. Nichols, Fuller, and J. M. Richmond.
#It was estimated that there were 1, 500 or 1,800 delegates besides citizens.
236
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
The Committee retired, and the Chairman called for volunteer speeches from old workers. The first call was for Mr. VanPelt, who came on the stand and spoke very briefly. One delegation sent for- ward Mrs. Timmons, of Clarksburg, Ohio, who gave an account of the work there. After singing, the Xenia delegation sent Mrs. Findlay forward to represent them, who gave an exceedingly interesting account of the work there. Dr. Lewis read a letter from the women of Lancaster to the women of Columbus, announcing that a thousand women in the former place were willing to work in the cause. The assembly indulged in three cheers. Mr. Tal- mage read a letter of encouragement from Mrs. Reese, sister of General Sherman. The assembly sang "Glory, glory Hallelujah," and Miss L. Sewell was called to the stand and spoke at some length. Miss Kate Dwyer, of Greenfield, was called to speak for that place, and gave a most affecting account of six weeks labor there,-all dealers having signed the pledge but one, and she hourly expected a dispatch announcing his surrender.
Miss Sarah Butler being called to represent Frank- lin, gave a relation so plaintive and touching that half the audience were moved to tears. She gave an account of an instance where a saloon-keeper had employed some men to furnish the music for a dance he intended to have. When these musicians appeared the ladies were engaged in singing and praying before the saloon. These men were so affected by the scene that they told the saloonist they did not think that playing and dancing and singing and pray- ing were intended to go together, and they went away and had no dance.
The Committee on Permanent Organization now reported the nominations:
President-Mrs. H C. McCabe, of Delaware.
Vice- Presidents-Mrs. E. J. Thompson, Hillsboro; Mrs. Rose Stewart, Cedarville; Mrs. M. G. Carpen- ter, Washington C. H .; Mrs. Amanda Clark, New- ark; Miss Kate Dwyer, Greenfield; Mrs. Rev. Wyant, Mt. Vernon ; Mrs. Rev. Dr. Hatfield, Cin- cinnati ; Mrs. John Walker, Logan : Mother Stewart, Springfield; Mrs. Rev. Runyan, Wilmington ; Mrs.
237
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
Z. T. Walters, Marietta; Mrs. Gen. Ewing, Lancas- ter; Mrs. Granville Moody, Ripley ; Miss Kate Shallcross, Gallipolis; Miss Virginia Copeland, Zanesville; Mrs. E. Shurr, Bellefontaine ; Mrs. L. C. Allen, Tiffin ; Mrs. E. C. McVilly, Mrs. Judge Mayo, McArthur ; Miss Rebecca Rice, Professor in Antioch College, Yellow Springs; Mrs. Rev. Joseph Clokey, Middletown; Miss Henrietta G. Moore, Morrow ; Mrs. Rev. Wm. Jones, Findlay ; Mrs. David Spangler, Mrs. Brown, Athens; Mrs. Hortensie Beeman, New Lexington; Miss Maggie Beatie, Ashland ; Mrs. A. W. Swapel, Mrs. Rev. Wm. Herr, Dayton.
Secretary-Miss Kate Gardner, Columbus.
Treasurer-Mrs. Mary Brown, Columbus.
Executive Committee-Mrs. Maria Bates, Mrs. R. A. S. Janney, Mrs. A. E. Tremaine, Mrs. L. Desselum and Mrs. Joan Galloway, all of Columbus.
Advisory Committee-A. A. Stewart, Hon. Chan- cey Olds, Hon. E. E. White, all of Columbus.
The Committee on Resolutions, through its Presi- dent, Mother Stewart, made the following report of Platform, which was adopted section by section, by a rising and unanimous vote.
Resolved, That the success of the Ohio women's movement in behalf of the temperance reform has given us substantial assurance that the traffic in and use of intoxicating drinks can and will be removed from the State and Nation.
Resolved, That in the prosecution of this work, we rely on Divine assistance, secured through fervent, persistent, and importunate prayer to Almighty God, offered in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and with hearts filled with love for souls.
Resolved, 'That faithful and persistent prayer must, as an inevitable result, be accompanied by efficient personal and organized work.
Resolved, That in addition to contributions of money generously and freely given, it is recommended that the men aiding the women's work to suppress intemperance in our communities, and the women who carry on the work, avoid all envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness, all bitterness of speech, and denunciation of the men engaged in the
238
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
liquor traffic, to cultivate their acquaintance and kindly feeling, and by all honorable and practicable means to assist them in changing from a business injurious to society, to some other remunerative to themselves and beneficial to community.
MRS. E. D. STEWART,
MISS SARAH POLLARD, MISS LIZZIE MCFADDEN,
MRS. H. J. SHARP,
MRS. M. W. BAINES,
C. M. NICHOLS,
H. J. FULLERTON,
J. M. RICHMOND, Committee.
After considerable miscellaneous business and an able speech from Mother Stewart, the meeting adjourned till 7:30 P. M.
The evening meeting was quite as enjoyable as that of the afternoon, and still more encouraging. Some 1,500 people were present, and all were inter- ested. Senator Goodhue was called to the chair and prayer was offered by Rev. George Carpenter, of Washington C. H. Volunteer speeches were called for, and the audience called out several speakers, there being frequent singing between the speeches. After short addresses by the Chairman and Dr. Lewis, VanPelt was called and spoke briefly.
There was a persistent call for Mrs. M. McC. Brown, but she was worn out with the work and could not speak. Miss Moore, of Morrow, gave an interesting account of the work there, with their peculiar difficulties.
Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson, of Hillsboro, daughter of Ex-Governor Trimble, spoke, like a brave lady, of the conflict there, and stated that what had been done had just taught them how to work. Loud calls brought Mother Stewart to the front, who spoke with her usual power. She told of many ladies who had entered upon the work in feeble health, and were much improved, and she thought this work would save the women as well as the men of the country.
( What I said was prompted by the call for "strong lungs." I responded that I thanked
239
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
the Lord that I had strong lungs, and spoke of the benefit that many women who thought they were confirmed invalids, had already received from the out-door exercise, as well as the stimu- lus received from living for a purpose, devoting heart and talent for the welfare of mankind. When I had taken my seat, Dr. Lewis sprang up and came to me with the enthusiasm of a boy, saying some kind words about the practical common sense, and that my assertion in regard to the improvement of the health of the women was invaluable to our cause. It was just in the line of his teaching as a health reformer; and many had been prophesying that the women would kill themselves by the fatigue and exposure.)
Miss Stone, of Marietta, spoke briefly of the work in general, but could not report much progress in Marietta. Rev. Mr. Hamma, of Springfield, was led forward and introduced by Mother Stewart, to the intense delight of the audience, and gave an eloquent resume of the work there. Rev. W. M. Grimes, of Cadiz, spoke briefly, and Dr. Lewis set forth a plan of work for the campaign ; and by a rising vote the meeting returned the thanks of Ohio to Dr. Lewis, who was now returning to Massachusetts, and this enthusiastic meeting closed, everybody feeling that they had been greatly encouraged by this glad inter- change of greetings and experiences to return home and prosecute the work with renewed vigor.
To my friends, Beadle, of the Cincinnati Com- mercial, and Brown, of the Gazette, I am chiefly indebted for the foregoing generous but strictly truthful report of that great meeting. And those two papers, as nearly every other in the
240
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
country, daily devoted column after column to the wonderful work. But alas ! and alas! these two, now combined with the two editors in one sanctum, have no generous word of encourage- ment for our cause.
I received many more calls at this meeting to "come and help" than I could respond to. Two ladies had come to Springfield to take me to their town, Coshocton, to help them organize and lead them out ; but I had left for Marysville. As soon as I could see-as I thought-the time to go to them, I telegraphed, asking if they still wanted me. They answered, "No, we are at work ; do not need outside help." Thus, while the ladies in many places shrank at first, as feeling their own weakness and need of aid, yet by some strange, impelling influence they were constrained to go forward, so many of them, too, astonished beyond measure at themselves.
I wish the reader to pause for a moment and reflect that the wonderful meeting above re- ported, the spirit and life of which was con- tributed by the women, was almost fourteen years ago (I write this November 29, 1887 ), and that the women had not had the training and experience of the women of to-day. Indeed, many of them, till their lips were unsealed in the saloon or on the street, had never publicly spoken a word for their Savior or heard their own voices in prayer. But oh ! what showers of blessings descended upon them ! What joy and peace came into their hearts !
241
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
A SPRINKLE OF POLITICS.
The Prohibition State Convention met the same week of our Convention, February 26th, at Mt. Vernon.
I have already intimated that the politicians were watching our prayer movement with no little solicitude as to "How will this affect our party?" They were also anxiously, though very cautiously, putting forth their hands to steady the ark. Now that the Prohibitionists had come together in their annual convention so soon following ours at Columbus, they thought they saw some sinister meaning in it, and began loudly to charge the Prohibitionists with want- ing to " lug in politics," " trying to gobble the crusade !" and expressed a good deal of holy indignation. Considering these facts, the fol- lowing extracts, taken from a report of this Convention as found in the Cincinnati Gazette of the 27th, may not be uninteresting :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.