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 16
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
The history of the Prohibition party of Ohio is getting to be an alarming study for politicians. A few years ago Jay Odell, a wealthy and benevolent citizen of Cleveland, who had spent large sums of money in relieving the wants of widows and orphans, the victims of intemperance, became convinced that he could do better service for humanity by directing his means to the suppression of the traffic which caused all this misery. He therefore stopped short in his charitable and educational bequests and threw his whole energies into the prohibition movement. The nucleus of a party was soon formed; money was raised to publish a paper, distribute tracts, and keep lecturers in the field. In the first election in which the party appeared, it cast two thousand votes;
(16)
242
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
at the next, over four thousand, and last fall-as Republican politicians knew to their sorrow-up- wards of ten thousand.
The record of such a growth was sufficient to encourage the leaders in the movement, and they were going on to another vigorous campaign, when help came from an unexpected quarter, -the woman's temperance movement suddenly broke out. What the men had been vainly trying for years to accom- plish by legal coercion the women began to do by moral suasion. But widely different as are the principles of the two methods, the prohibitionists could not fail to see that the women were preparing the way for their work better than they could ever hope to do it themselves. Therefore many of them came forward and wanted to father the movement and carry it in their arms. True friends of the cause saw danger in this, and politicians hailed it as an opportunity. An attempt was made-such as I described at Columbus-Wednesday, to set the two factions by the ears. And the effort was well-nigh successful. Men of one idea have always been intolerant of anything that crosses the path of their purposes, and so the friends of prohibition in the Columbus meeting Wednesday morning, developed a spirit of obstinacy that threatened a conflict straightway. ( Viewed from the other side a differ- ent conclusion was reached .- M. S.)
At the convention, yesterday, however, the advo- cates of the law insisted that they were in full sympathy with the gospel method of operation, and there the difficulty will likely stop.
THE PROHIBITION CREED.
In conversation with an intelligent member of the convention, yesterday, I gathered some ideas which may serve to illustrate their faith and purposes.
A prohibition law now would be of no use. The attempts to carry out even the existing temperance laws prove failures, because the burden of enforcing them falls on a very few men in every community, who cannot stand against the combined strength of the liquor interest. First of all, temperance officers must be put in place of the corrupt party men, who
243
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
now have the execution of the laws in their hands. The second condition of success is an unquestionable law on the statute books, prohibiting the manufac- ture, importation or sale of intoxicating drinks in the commonwealth. But, neither prohibition officers can be elected, nor a stringent law enacted, until the prohibitionists as a political party are in power in the State. Therefore, the chief aim for the present is to accumulate votes. The gentleman acknowl- edged there could be no lasting success of the pro- hibition movement until all the political parties of the country resolve themselves into temperance and anti-temperance elements, and formed two great national parties, divided on the issue of prohibition.
Furthermore, the prohibition party must exist permanently, and always be in the majority ; for the moment the anti-temperance men get in power pro- hibitory laws will be ineffective, because not enforced. In Maine and Massachusetts, -where it is claimed prohibition has been a failure-the law was executed by its enemies. Put it in the hands of its friends and that will be the last of whisky. Nothing can be expected from either of the present political parties, because temperance can never be made more than a side issue in election contests. Prohibitionists insist on a square fight on the sole question of temperance, and all overtures or attempts at compromise from either Democrats or Republicans will be rejected with scorn.
On woman suffrage prohibitionists were divided in their own ranks, and very likely would not have carried it any longer had not the late temperance crusade burdened them with so heavy a debt to the women. There will be no retreating from that issue now, and prohibition and woman suffrage in Ohio, at least, must sink or swim together.
He also gives the following resolutions of indorsement as adopted by the Convention :
WHEREAS, The manufacture, sale and consump- tion of intoxicating liquors is in open violation of the law of God, and antagonistic to the moral, social and political well-being of society ; and
WHEREAS, The Christian women of Ohio are
244
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
seeking to eradicate this evil, by the instrumentality of prayer to Almighty God, and Christian, womanly entreaty with liquor-sellers against their destructive traffic ; therefore
Resolved, That we, as delegates to the State Con- vention of the Prohibition party of Ohio, in conven- tion assembled, do hereby congratulate the noble, self-sacrificing women of Ohio in their success, and assure them of our sympathy and co-operation with them and all other agencies of the temperance reform.
Resolved, That we will not only unite our prayers with our sisters, to Almighty God, but we will call upon our brethren in Ohio to assist in making permanent the benefits of this moral uprising by the execution of law against all engaged in the liquor traffic, and to seek through the ballot-box the speedy enactment of such prohibitory laws as shall extinguish the evil of intemperance from our State.
It was no doubt disappointing to the temper- ance party, considering that they were the first political organization to indorse the prayer movement, that the Crusaders not only declined to recognize their overtures of co-operation, but turned the cold shoulder. What would have been the consequence to-day if the women had then taken their stand by their natural allies, is a question of solemn interest.
The women have grown marvelously since ; but so has the liquor power. Those who were so industriously manipulating the Crusade to "save the party," have great occasion to con- gratulate themselves. The party was saved, and so was the liquor traffic, and it is stronger to-day than ever before.
I am glad to record here, besides the Hon. Jay Odell, mentioned by the reporter as among
245
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
the first Prohibition standard bearers of our State, and the strong friends and supporters of our organization from the first to the present hour, the names of Hon. Gideon T. Stewart, Rev. A. M. Thompson, D. D., Professor of Otterbein University, Rev. E. K. Brown, D. D., President of Wesleyan Female College, and husband of our brilliant Mattie McClellan Brown, Hon. Ferdi- nand Schumacher, Hon. J. H. Doan, Bro. Silver ; our D.S. Morrow,-who will not belong to a church that will not give the same privileges to his wife that it would to him,-our venerable Father Ware, Thomas Evans, Jr., A. A. Stewart, and Dr. Barnes-a good array of strong and true men, of which any party or cause may justly feel proud. Brothers Evans and Stewart have recently passed away. How the veterans are falling !
CHAPTER XIII.
Westville, Middletown, Bellefontaine, Kenton, Sidney, Marion, Ashland.
HILE we were absent at Columbus, those who remained at home to "hold the fort," had not by any means been idle. The band work went on, and on Wednesday, another "White Wednesday," they took pos- session of our new headquarters in the Stone Church, so generously put at our service by Mr. John Bookwalter. And with appropriate cere- monies, conducted by Dr. Clokey, it was dedi- cated to our work.
Henceforth, from here, after the morning sea- son of prayer, they formed their bands and marched out, returning at noon for lunch and a short season of rest, then re-forming and out for the afternoon; often also making special visits in the evening. I wish I could give the entire list of these hundreds of honorable Christian women who did such faithful work reaching into the long months. But their record is on high.
There were many ladies who did not find it possible, either from lack of health or other reasons, to join the street work. But they formed
216
247
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
committees on refreshments, divided the city by wards, and the committee for each ward- there being five wards at that time-prepared a nice noon-day lunch at headquarters for a week at a time. And thus, throughout the long weeks of the campaign, the toilers on the street-and the work was very wearying-were supplied with the best the city afforded, by their sisters. Among these servers of tables were ladies occu- pying the highest positions in the land; one, I think of, whose husband sat on the Supreme Bench of the Commonwealth. And another who has since occupied the enviable position of "First Lady of the Land."
And this was the case in other places as well. I will here, however, take occasion to correct a statement that I have met in the East, that I had the honor to be associated with Mrs. Presi- dent Hayes in the Crusade. While our beloved Mrs. Hayes was in fullest sympathy with the Crusade, as she always is with every good work, she was at that time occupied with the duties of her position, her husband being Governor of the State. Some of her relatives entered actively into the work. An aunt living in C-, being in too delicate health to go out on the street with the other ladies, would take some bit of work in her hand and drop into a saloon near, and chat kindly with the keeper, very much, however, to the detriment of his business.
No one, however thirsty, who had a particle of self-respect remaining, would brave the pres-
248
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
ence of that refined, Christain lady, by calling for a drink.
Speaking of my friend, Mrs. McK-, "re- minds me of a little story," as our Lincoln used to say, at my expense. I had, by exposure in my work, contracted a severe cold, with sore throat and hoarseness, that threatened to silence me for a time. A prospect rather alarming, for I was hastening from point to point to rally the forces and urge on the battle. Mrs. McK- -, seeing my condition, kindly prepared me a bottle of vinegar, white sugar and cayenne pepper, such as she had found beneficial in relieving a rather serious cough with which she was troubled. I
put it into the outside pocket of my waterproof, for convenience, that I might if possible relieve my hoarseness by the time I reached my next appointment. But it was urged, I must call at the Gazette office before I left, to see "the boys," one of whom had been my student in other years, but now needing to sign the pledge, which with the others he did. The editor had taken a cold that was giving him much trouble, and about which his mother felt a good deal of solicitude. In the midst of my interesting con- versation with the young men and their signing of the pledge, she bethought her of my med- icine, and stepping up to me, fished it out of my pocket, and holding it up, insisted upon " Will's" tasting it. She was sure it was just what he needed. But oh, my! what a laugh it raised among the boys. And I-I could not just see
-
249
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
where the laugh came in. I think, if I remember, the boys called it "sold." I concluded there- after to "shun the appearance of evil " by keep- ing my bottle out of sight.
But the enemy was far from indifferent all this time. In the very beginning of our work many of the saloon-keepers appealed to the law to pro- tect them in their "rights." And it was fre- quently found that the servants of the people, placed in office to execute the laws, were so in the power of these men that they were able to find a great deal more law to protect them in their nefarious business than to protect the women in their pious effort to save souls. We have already recorded, as one of the first moves in our city, that over 600 women had appealed to the council to pass the McConnelsville ordinance, a just and righteous measure ; and it would have proved of incalculable benefit to the city, saving tens of thousands of dollars, as well as the infinite gain in health, happiness and morals. This petition was signed by the best women in Springfield. But the council, without any public remonstrance, refused to grant it, giving, as we have shown elsewhere, the most unique reason for their non- action ever rendered by men laying claim to a common amount of brains.
But now comes a petition to this august body, signed by some 250, seven-tenths, at least, of them being of the foreign, German and Irish pop- ulation, and mostly saloon-keepers, demanding of the Council that they instruct the mayor and
250
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
police to enforce the law, keeping the sidewalks unobstructed. This, of course, was meant for the Crusaders. The petition was granted by a vote of seven to three. There had been no complaint made or notice taken of the obstructions on sidewalks before, though often the obstruction from build- ing material, dry goods boxes, bars of iron, whisky barrels, beer casks, was such as to not only endanger one's apparel, but their limbs as well, especially after night.
The law was enforced, and the Crusaders gave the prescribed space-four feet-standing and kneeling on the curbstone or in the gutter. A wonderful thing is the law and free government of which we have made such boast. I remember of hearing of a gang of slaves, chained together, being driven through the streets of Richmond, Virginia, on their way to the Southern sugar and cotton plantations, on a Fourth of July, singing as they marched,
" Hail Columbia, happy land."
No one now living will ever witness such a sight again in this country, for our boys in the blue and the gray together, though in opposing lines, washed out the foul stain of the crime of slavery with their blood. But long since that, here in the North, boasting of freedom and liberty, - have the best women of this or any land been arrested, imprisoned, mobbed, spit upon, abused, wounded by infuriated beings in the shape of men, set on by the liquor-dealers, only because they went in the name of their Master to plead
251
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
with them to give up their soul-destroying busi- ness. All this time the politicians crying out against the, "Negro outrages in the South;" while the laws at home were inadequate to pro- tect their own wives and daughters from these worse than southern slave-drivers in their native towns. And this same power has the nation by the throat to day.
On the 26th, two days after our Convention, I took the train to Urbana, was met by Rev. Calbfus and driven some six or eight miles to Westville. Met the ladies in prayer-meeting. Had a large mass-meeting at night, organized everybody for the work; and next morning led out the little band to visit the three or four places, including the tavern,
How precious was that season of prayer as we knelt on the frozen ground before that village tavern, and how I wanted to shout aloud the praises of Him who had called us to this blessed work.
I do not believe that little praying band will ever forget that morning. It was not long till they reported the liquor business closed out there. After seeing the sisters well started in their work, I was driven back to Urbana and took the train down through Springfield, not stopping. Mr. C. M. Nichols boarded the train to accompany me to Middletown. Looking out, I saw the sisters on duty ; some marching in that solemn, silent fashion, others before some saloon. Reaching Osborn, where I had organized and
252
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
led the sisters out, I stepped onto the platform to see if they were at their post. Brother Massie seeing me, motioned with a sweep of his hands to the other side. There they were across the square, faithfully at work. On, down, coming to Franklin, while the train halted Mr. Butler came in, and throwing up my window, said, "Look, Mother Stewart, see the women keep- ing guard over Munger." I have no language to express my deep emotion as I looked upon that scene. These women by prayer and faith had closed all but this one gate of death. This one man had stubbornly refused to yield. He had many times laid himself liable to prosecution by his flagrant violation of law; and the men had said "give him up to us and we will find a shorter way to close him out." But they begged, "Let alone, peradventure the Lord will give us that man's soul." And so, in sunshine or storm, days and weeks, there they sat outside that dreadful place. Angels, keeping guard over a man's soul. Yes, angels, though clad in the habiliments of earth, and I think their kindred of the upper skies must have looked down with intensest pity and sympathy on that sight. It was not long after this, however, till the men, unable to bear it longer, brought suit against the man, and he was sent to prison and his place closed. But behold how soon the sympathy of the community is excited in behalf of this class of law-breakers. It was not long till it was re- ported that Munger's prison life was seriously
253
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
affecting his health. A petition was circulated and numerously signed and presented to the authorities for his release, and the prison doors were thrown open to him. No such sympathy or leniency for any of his many victims that I ever heard of, though they might lie in jail, week in and out, and their helpless families become a public charge, or starve.
We were met and entertained at Middletown, by Rev. Joseph Clokey and lady, who had made arrangement for the meeting.
It is enough to say that this earnest young minister was the son of our Dr. Clokey, and what a combined host for every good work were he and his intelligent lady.
It seemed that the whole city had come together for that mass-meeting. The reporter said it was a "grand success."
The hall accommodates nearly two thousand people, and was crowded to its utmost capacity. Every inch of standing room, even in the aisles, was occupied, and hundreds stood for two hours and a half. Upon opening the services with music by the combined choirs of the town, and prayer by Rev. Jos. Hill, Mr. C. M. Nichols, of the Spring field Republic, being introduced, delivered a short but witty oration, which met with great applause, after which Mother Stewart told what she knew of the work, etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Clokey both spoke, Mrs. C. most effectively. Rev. Mr. Graham also spoke. A guarantee fund was desired for carrying on the work, and I was requested to make the appeal for it, which I did. During this exercise a poor, broken-down specimen of the liquor-
254
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
seller's workmanship made his way through the crowd and gained a position near the platform, and called out that he would give "five cents !" The poor fellow grinned as if he thought he had done a real cute thing, and there were enough who were ready to raise the laugh. I felt not a little solicitude lest the rabble should get away with the solemnity of the meeting. Raising my hand I stood in silence till they quieted down ; then I called their attention to the poor, dirty, illy- clad, intoxicated man standing there, made in the image of his Maker, but all marred and ruined by the liquor-seller ; an object of pity and com- passion rather than merriment. Though so intoxicated as to be simple, yet he was able to see that I was calling attention to him. A sense of shame and mortification crept over his face, and the audience was most respectful thereafter.
The Crusaders opened up their work the next day and accomplished a great deal, though this was one of the hardest fields. I very well re- member the dear friends here gave me $20 for my services. It was the first that approached anything like that sum, and I was really almost frightened over it, and counseled with Brother Nicho's about it. I was afraid I might come to place my thoughts too much upon the-oh, dear !- might become "greedy of filthy lucre" in my work. But he assured me it was all right for me to take it. It has not been very often that I have been subjected to this kind of temptation. But it is not of this that I am writing, and I do not complain.
255
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
Tuesday afternoon, March 3d, Rev. Mr. Hamma and I set out for Bellefontaine, arriving in the rain and near meeting time. I had sent a card to the Cincinnati papers saying I had lost my memorandum of engagements, and on that account might fail to fill some of them ; and so the friends here were uncertain about my coming till we arrived. But the word went out, and though the rain came down, the largest church in the city soon filled and overflowed, and another church a square away was opened. I stood and talked for an hour at the first, while Brother Hamma spoke in the other; then we exchanged pulpits, passing each other on the way. Next morning at 9 o'clock I met the ladies at the Court-house-their headquarters- for prayer and business meeting.
Here, on her wheeled couch, lay a poor, little sufferer of long years, having been brought up so she could join the sisters in their prayers and songs, and with gentle, loving words encourage the repentant saloon-keeper or drinker; and here she tarried for a week, giving with her sweet patience in suffering, and bright, hopeful coun- tenance, inspiration to the dear Crusaders. Very tenderly did the blessed Savior carry this little, suffering pet lamb in his bosom through the weary years of pain and trial. The world has long since heard of, and many a saved railroad man and his family are praising God for Jennie Smith.
At ten o'clock we formed our procession and
256
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
moved out to visit the saloons, led by a brass band playing the airs of our Crusade songs. The tears would well up and overflow as I marched. Who could help being affected by such scenes? The streets were muddy and the sidewalks wet, but some of the good brethren ran and brought strips of carpet and spread for us to stand and kneel on. One keeper stipulated that we must only come within certain limits of his door, -that was the "dead line." I went up to him, however, shook hands and talked with him, and found he was not near so terrible as he wanted to make us believe, though he reiterated that his prescribed line was the " dead line." I told him it should yet prove the line of everlasting life to him. I stepped back and stood with my sisters. After looking at me for a few minutes, he turned to his clerk and ordered him to " bring out a chair for that old lady ; the rest must stand, "-his way, I suppose, of show- ing a bit of grim humor, or, his better nature may have been touched by the sight of so aged a woman out on such a peculiar mission. Though he assured me, over and over, that he never would surrender, it was not many days until he did.
We called at one place owned by a man that some had assured me was a hopeless case. We were led to think there was little hope there ; but we went in, he making no objection, and had our usual services. When I turned to shake hands with him, upon leaving, he said he would
257
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
like to have a private conversation with me. I was taken very much by surprise, and from the impression given me was in doubt as to his sincerity. I told him I would have to take the twelve o'clock train ;- but Sister Shurr invited him to come to her house, where I was stopping, and see me after we had visited the other saloons. Before we got home he was there and sent for me. Our interview was a most solemn one, and to me a very instructive one.
The poor man was stricken with deep contri- tion and wept freely as we prayed. He said he had kept a saloon for fifteen years, and part of the time had kept a very bad place, but no one had ever before come to him to tell him he was doing wrong. They had prosecuted him "over there"-the Court-house was just across the street-and had made it cost him a great deal ; and the attorneys, too, while prosecuting him, would at the same time have a bottle in their pockets. But no one had ever talked to him before about it.
I was obliged to leave him and take the train for Kenton. A fearfully rainy time ! Mr. Miller, editor of the Republican, met me and took me to his home. It was still raining when we drove to the church. A lad near the door said as I ascended the steps, "Ye can't get in there ! You couldn't get a seat if you did !" But I managed to get in, though the house was densely packed-almost walking on the people, for even the platform was crowded. But that
258
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
boy outside was on my mind. I told the sisters about him, and said I wished I could meet all their children. They were wonderfully quick in those days to grasp an idea and act upon it. "Let us have a children's meeting to-morrow morning?" they said. They asked the superin- tendent of the schools to permit the children to come at nine o'clock for half an hour.
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.