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 2
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
But nothing came of our little temperance spasm; the business went on and flourished, doing its part of the preparation of our own young men, as well as those of the University, for their final ruin. Somewhere about 1858, I think, we organized a Good Templar's Lodge, which, how- ever, did not continue long. And it was about this time that I gave my first temperance lecture to a Band of Hope, in Pomeroy. I had forgot- ten it till reminded of it some time since, by the Superintendent, Rev. S. Stivers.
Then the dark pall of war overspread our land, and our brave men from hills and valleys, from city and hamlet, hastened to respond to their country's call. Everywhere recruits were coming in and being sent to the front, or to the drill camp, and everywhere was the soul-destroying drink,
21
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
and the more heartless foe than those they were hastening to meet on southern fields, ready to deal it out, for the sake of getting the soldier's meagre pittance. Often the stars and stripes floated high over the man-traps, ostensibly to proclaim the keepers' patriotism, but in reality to advertise their business.
In our town the commander, seeing the conse- quences of the too liberal patronage of these dens by his men, ordered a search and confisca- tion of any liquors found. The captain led his men through the town to a nest of Irish shanties on the outskirts, where they discovered an old woman with a little belivered liquor with a due admixture of burnt sugar, dead mice, etc., and poured it out. Of course the morals of the soldiers and the peace of the community demanded it.
But returning and following up orders, they were much gratified to report that upon diligent search they found not a drop of intoxicating liquors in these patriotic places. The business, always true to its precedents and traditions, by some means known to the trade, finding favor and immunity according to demand.
Our brave boys marched away to fight the battles of their country, and many laid down their lives for the old flag on southern gory fields or in prison pen. And so these vigilant dealers had to turn again to citizens and college boys for patronage, and the destruction went on. Not only were reports of frequent excesses among
22
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
the students rife, but of church members, and even officials as well, bringing reproach upon the cause of religion by their intemperate indulgence.
I had by agitation, with voice and pen, tried to call the public attention to the subject, till it had come to be understood that Mrs. S. was a very proper person to look after this department of the public welfare. I remember on one occasion, being at tea at Prof. A.'s with Prof. B. and others. The subject of the growing evil was being dis- cussed, all declaring something ought to be done ; the reputation of the University and the town was suffering. At length I said I would go home and draw up a paper for them to sign as Professors of the University. "All right," said Prof. B. " I will sign any paper you will prepare, but get Pres. H.'s name first." Prof. A. said, "Yes, I will sign any paper you may write, but get Dr. P.'s name (the Presbyterian minister) first." We will be very brave for the right if only some one else will take the responsibility and draw the fire. I have had a long experience with this kind of bravery, and I really believe I have been very patient with it.
I hastened to draw up my paper for the profes- sors and ministers to sign, the purport of which was, that the increase of intemperance in the place demanded more earnest and fearless denun- ciation of the evil and warning against it from pulpit, platform and professor's chair, and that- they would henceforth preach more fearlessly and pointedly on the subject. I took my paper
23
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
and sought Pres. H., but he was out of town. I may say here, that when I did see him, he seemed really very glad that I had taken the matter in hand. "It is absolutely necessary that something should be done ; hope you will be able to accomplish something ; you are the one to do it. But situated as I am, of course it would not do for me to take any extreme step." No power on earth or above the bottomless pit has such influence to terrorize and make cowards of men as the liquor power. Satan could not have fallen on a more potent instrument with which to thrall the world. Alcohol is king !
I must, I suppose, have been all these years in my legitimate line of duty, for it has been the decision uniformly, when a disagreeable thing was to be done, a risk to be taken, or sacrifice to be made, "Oh, you are the very one for the place," and if at any time I should drop a word about enemies, abuse, slander, misrepresenta- tions, "Oh," the answer was, " you don't mind," "that don't hurt you," "you don't care for such things." Ah, the Lord and I have had many an awful time together over just this. But we will come to that subject further on.
Failing to find Pres. H. I hurried away to the Presbyterian minister, but oh, how I was startled at my presumption and realized my insignificance as I entered his presence. Why, I was nothing but a woman, and I had had the temerity to ap- proach a minister with the seeming, at least, of dictating his duty to him, and as he scanned my
24
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
paper, I could see that something of the same thought was in his own mind. I hastened to explain that I knew, of course, that he preached against intemperance as against all other sins, but it really seemed that the evil was increasing so fearfully that it was coming to demand more special attention. " Well, yes, he did certainly preach against all sin. He would keep my paper, and confer with BrotherF.," the Methodist minis- ter. That was fully as much as I had hoped for. That evening he called to return my paper and say he had not been able to see Brother F. But while he was in, Mr. F. came to the door and I invited him in, and till nine o'clock I labored with those good ministers, to induce them to say they would preach special sermons, or in some special manner handle the subject in their pulpits. I gave them case after case of church members who had been charged with drinking and who were bringing reproach on the cause of Christ. One, even, had been made a member of the offi- cial board of the church while on a regular spree. "Oh, they could not believe it; of course I had heard it, but then we could not believe all we heard." At length the Methodist minister sug- gested that they each preach a temperance ser- mon the next Sabbath, but the other could not see the necessity ; he had no one, he said, in his congregation that he knew needed preaching to on the subject. Oh, I thought, what a confes- sion for a minister to make! He would have known if his mind had been turned in that direc-
25
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
tion, and certainly there were enough in the town that needed admonishing. It was not long till my good brethren discovered that it was not all a piece of excited imagination on my part, and that even while we talked the deadly curse was doing its work. Shall not the minister "watch as they that must give account "?
Some time after this, there was a District Meeting of the ministers of the Methodist Church in our town. Now, I thought, this would be a good time to bring the subject before this body of Reverends ; but how ? I was not a minister, not even a layman, but it ought to be done.
After serious reflection, I wrote a very harm- less looking resolution, so I thought, carried it to the meeting, and, taking my seat behind one of the brethren who looked as though he might be relied on, (do not know who he was), dropped my resolution into his hat. He noticed my move- ment, and picking it up, read it and nodded approval. As I recollect. it amounted to about this :
" Resolved, That in view of the fact that intem- perance is greatly on the increase among us, we will preach more frequently and pointedly than we have ever done before, and that we will handle the subject with ungloved hands."
When opportunity offered, my friend read his resolution, very kindly concealing the fact that it emanated from a woman. It elicited a lively discussion. Brother B., known and noted for his staunch principles then and ever since, rolled
26
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
back his sleeves and fought bravely for the reso- lution. He sought to point out to the brethren what fearful strides the evil was making, and how it was, everywhere, a snare to souls and a great hindrance to the success of their work of soul- saving.
Rev. S., the chairman, could not endorse that resolution, or give his sanction to anything of the kind ; he was a " conservative man." "The language of that resolution was too strong.'' " Handle with ungloved hands," savored of mob law, which he could not give countenance to. (I noticed a report recently of a Temperance convention where this same Rev. brother spoke, and was still on the conservative list. He " did not think he had ever been quite as radical as many others." I did not think he had either.)
But the brethren disposed of my little fire- brand, by resolving that they would each preach one sermon to each of his several charges, in the year, on the Temperance question.
This was during the war, a quarter of a century ago, and in comparison with what has been done in these later years, looks so insignificant that it would almost seem that an apology was due the reader for taking so much of his time ; "little drops of water," as compared to the great down- pouring torrents that have since flooded our land.
But no one can understand after these years of effective labor, and when it has become the popular thing for woman to do, what even these timid efforts to awaken ministers and people cost a woman.
CHAPTER II.
War Closed-Disastrous Effects of the Drink upon Soldiers.
AR-terrible war-who can ever recount the long list of evils that accompany and follow in its wake ? The long four years' agony was past. The bloody strife was ended, and our boys came home-those of them who had not given their lives and shed their blood to wash the black stains of human slavery off the pages of their country's history. Not the least of the long list of evils accompanying army life is that of intemperance, and many of our soldiers returned with the appetite, acquired in the army, fastened upon them. And so the curse, more fearful than southern slavery, has ever since been steadily gaining upon us.
The great influx of Europeans, with their habits of drink, their ignorance of what "liberty " means, their disregard for the laws and institu- tions of the land in which they have found homes, their unscrupulous eagerness for gain, their shrewdness in manipulating politicians, caucuses and elections, intimidating business men, bribing legislatures and courts of justice- these influences, with the indifference and timid- ity-may I say cowardice ?- of Christians, have
27
28
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
done their work, and to-day, notwithstanding all that has been done, we are in the hands of the enemy and at his mercy. If it had not been for the labors and trumpet voice of such men as Lyman Beecher, Father Hunt, Dr. Jewett, and a few others along the line, and the occasional waves of temperance reform that have from time to time been set in motion, we would in- deed now have been without hope. As it is, the ship is well-nigh stranded, and it will require a mightier struggle, more united effort than Christians have yet dreamed of, to bring hier safely to port.
In the year 1870, the law of 1854, known as the Adair law, or a section of it, was so amended as to give the wife or mother of the drunkard the right to bring suit in her own name against the saloon-keeper or liquor-seller, for damages for selling to husband or son. In Springfield, where was now our home, having moved from Athens here in 1866, we had our seasons of spasmodic agitation in a very mild form, not calculated to hurt anybody's business or feel- ings.
In the winter of 1871, a few meetings were held in Black's Opera House, with large attend- ance and considerable display of fireworks over " the great evil." But it was deemed advisable to deal very cautiously and prudently with the rum-seller. Moral suasion was recommended, but I believe no one was named, or offered to put the theory into practice.
29
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
I remember, we were about this time greatly terrorized by an organized gang of burglars, who nightly plied their business with little moles- tation till some citizens actually sought homes elsewhere in consequence. A reporter for the Cincinnati Commercial, reporting our temperance meetings and methods recommended, announced that when we got the liquor dealers all moralsuaded into decent, law-abiding men, we were going to try our hands on the burglars. But the burglars received the first attention, however. They were, with their bold fetes of robbery, making things so lively for us that a detective was at length employed. Some were caught, and a few sent to the penitentiary, and the burglar business was, for the time at least, effectually closed out. But the liquor business remains to this present. Why ?
Anticipating the usual winter's spasm, and concluding I, as well as any one, might put the ball in motion, I prepared a lecture which I delivered on January 22, 1872, in Allen's Hall, to a large and intelligent audience. As far as I know, this was the first lecture on the sub- ject of temperance delivered by a lady in our city. Here I date my first important move- ment in my temperance warfare, though I had, as opportunity offered, lectured elsewhere on the subject. It may, indeed, because of results that grew out of it, be called my first step in the Crusade. And I find it necessary, in the interest of historic truth, to give a large share of
30
MORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
credit to my warm friend and advisor in all the years of my labors and trials, C. M. Nichols, Editor of the Springfield Republic, as the origi- nator of the Crusade. He may, very probably, as well as many others, be quite surprised at this statement, but it is one of the small things that throughout all history have brought about results so far beyond what, at the time, could be foreseen from so apparently insignificant a cause. Mr. Nichols was at the meeting and from an ex- tended report in the Republic of the next day, January 23d, I copy the following :
" The Liquor Traffic, How to Fight it. Mrs. E. D. Stewart's address at Allen's Hall, on Monday evening, Jan. 22nd. The Law and the Gospel. Allen's Hall was well filled Monday evening on the occasion of an address on the Liquor Traffic by Mrs. E. D. Stewart. The speaker gave an expression of her feeling of un- fitness for so important a task as that assigned her, and then proceeded in an interesting and able address to show that she was fitted in an eminent degree for the performance of just such a work."
I had on the day before put on-not my Sabbath attire-and while others were going to the house of worship, I was walking the streets to ascertain from my own observation the status in our city on the Sabbath, while Christians were worshiping in the sanctuary,
I am glad, in turning to the above report, to see the heading, "The Law and the Gospel,"
31
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
as it is to me most valuable testimony of my attitude and views of the methods to meet the great crime of the age from the first. The law for the sinner, the Gospel for the penitent, whether dealer or drunkard. And this is my atti- tude to-day. I have, however, worked hard many times in directions that I knew were not the most effective, simply because people could not see the best way, and I felt that any work was better than nothing. Agitation, if it only saves from dead inaction and indifference, for still, as in the long ago, while good men sleep, the enemy is busy sowing tares. He never sleeps.
At the close of my address, Mr. Nichols came to me and suggested that I ask the ladies of the audience to pledge themselves to hunt up the drunkards' wives and encourage them to prose- cute the rum-sellers under the Adair law, for selling to their husbands, and to stand by them in doing so. The ladies readily responded by a rising vote. But, while I knew that they then meant it, I felt quite sure that most of them would falter if a test should come. It was years ago, and before the Crusade and custom had made it comparatively easy to do such work.
Those ladies would to-day cheerfully pledge themselves, and keep their pledge too. A wonderful growth has occurred through the edu- cation and courage received in the Crusade, as well as the spiritual baptism that came down upon the women.
32
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
Two days after our meeting, I called at the Re- public office, when Mr. Nichols exclaimed : "Oh, see here ! a case under the Adair law is being tried right now in Justice Miller's court. Get some of your ladies and go in." I had my mis- givings about getting the ladies, but did not say so. I knew better than a gentleman could, what the effect upon woman's mind had been of the all-time teaching that they must not seem to know anything about the saloon or men's drinking, it was not lady-like.
I went at once and called on one lady, but she was "busy and could not go." So I went in alone and sat till the court adjourned for dinner. I could not help noticing that the good old justice, who was a Christian man, was gratified at my presence, as was also the prosecuting attorney, my young friend, G. C. Rawlins, and of course the defense was not.
When the court adjourned, I hastened off to the eastern part of the city, where I felt quite sure I should find some ladies upon whom I could rely. But "they all" with one exception, began "to make excuses." The exception was Mrs. S. M. Foos, a lady whose heart always goes out to the sorrowing, the needy, and the friendless. Where a friend is needed, there is she, walking in the footsteps of the lowly One. And though wealth, brilliant talents, social posi- tion, all give her open sesame into the most fashionable circles, she chooses to walk in the path the Master hath trod, giving her life to good
33
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
works and alms deeds. Yes, she would come as soon as she could dispose of some home duties. Upon my return to the court room, the attorney for the prosecution asked me if I would not make the opening plea to the jury. I answered that I could not think of such a thing. He insisted that I could do it. I protested that the thing was impossible. But he, intent upon winning his case, this being the first and a test case under the Adair law in our city, was dis- posed to avail himself of all the means he could bring to bear, and still urged me to it. I began to think right fast, and asked if he thought I could do any good by it, adding that I came in to give encouragement to the court, himself and that poor woman. " Yes," he responded, "I know you can." Then, I said, I will think of it. " Very well," he replied, "if you decide to do it, let me know, and I will show you the law to read to the jury." Taking my paper and pencil, I took notes of the testimony as the case pro- ceeded. And I do know the Lord helped me, for new as was the work, and strange and novel my situation and surroundings, and weak the testimony, I was enabled to catch the strongest points in clear and concise form. No one, I am sure, could be more surprised at this than myself. The testimony being mainly from the habitues of the saloons, was weak and unreliable. Some of them deliberately and without flinching perjured themselves. One for the prosecution, the justice ordered from the stand.
(3)
34
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
The strongest witness, with one exception, was the little son of the drunkard, a child some ten years old, having been permitted by the justice to be sworn, because of his intelligence and manly bearing, though legally under age. The court room was crowded with saloon-keepers and their customers, a motley crowd, blear-eyed, bloated, bruised, dirty, unsightly, degraded humanity. The attorney for the defense was one of the ablest lawyers of the bar, always the liquor men's advocate. There sat that pitiful, friendless woman and her two little boys, in their scant and faded garments, alone. The wretched husband and father had by some means been spirited away out of reach.
Towards evening I went to Mr. Rawlins and asked him how near the testimony was in. "It is almost in," said he; "will you address the jury ?" I said I would try. He then handed me the book, pointing out the portion to be read to the jury. I took it and familiarized myself with it. By this time the testimony being closed, Mr. Raw- lins addressed the court, saying he wished to make a few remarks and also a request. The request was that Mrs. Stewart be permitted to make the opening plea to the jury.
Of course the court had no right to object, as I, or any one else may, in our State, appear in a case before a Justice's or Mayor's court. But none but admitted lawyers may appear before the upper courts. Besides, I saw that the Justice was very willing that I should, and the
35
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
opposite counsel had to acquiesce, though I saw by the ill-concealed smile, while he mumbled something that I could not quite catch, that he was saying to himself, " Now we will have fun. This old woman will make a muddle of it, and a fool of herself, and we will have rare fun picking her to pieces."
1220997
I took my law book in hand, and addressing the jury, said I found myself in a novel position, but I made this attempt to plead the case of my sister, because I knew I could speak for her as no man could. I then read the law, adding, they needed no comment on it from me. They under- stood its meaning. I was glad that now our women might come into the courts and prosecute the rum-seller for the destruction of their hus- bands and homes. I was glad, too, that in my State were men, good and true, before whom these cases might be tried. (I may say here, that while this was the nicest sugar-plum I had, it was well deserved in this case, for they were all good and true men.) I then took up the points of testimony I had caught and showed that the man, when not under the influence of liquor, was a kind husband and father, providing for the necessities of his family. That even when occasionally giving way to his appetite it had been proven that he was able to earn from $6 to $9 per week. But through the influence of drink furnished by the man now arraigned, he had become so worthless and incompetent that the wife and mother, besides her regular domestic
36
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
duties, was obliged to labor to earn the means of support for her family. Yes, it was said the drunkard's wife may come into court and prose- cute for the ruin of her husband, but who will stand by her? Who will befriend her ? Who will defend her? And you see the array against her. I simply waved my hand towards that motley mass without looking towards them, but saw that the jury did. I proceeded to say, this woman, who I hoped would pardon me, was branded as the drunkard's wife, and must wear the brand forever. And you noticed that as on the witness stand, being strung up to the utmost tension, she detailed her sufferings and wrongs, -a sight to touch and melt the stoutest heart to pity-that crowd stood there leering and jeering in satanic mirth at her misery. And these little boys, as they had noticed, precocious and intel- ligent beyond their years, were branded, and would carry the brand to the grave,-The Drunkard's Child. In closing I charged the jury that they deal with this woman as they would that others should deal with their wife or daughter. And as they dealt with her, might God deal with them. I had not spoken five minutes till I saw that I held the jury in my hand, but did not know the extent of the mis- chief I had done the dealer in woe till his attor- ney arose to defend him. If he had prepared any defense for his client, he certainly had for- gotten it. He gesticulated vehemently, declared it was "infamous to bring a female in to influ-
37
MEMORIES OF THE CRUSADE.
ence the court and jury. He should think Mrs. Stewart would be ashamed to thus come into court. She had much better have been at home attending to her legitimate duties."
The jury, after a brief retirement, brought in a verdict of $100 and costs. This, as I have said, was the first case that had came up under the Adair law in our courts, and considering the desperate fight made by the defense, aided by his associates in the business, and the weakness of the testimony for reasons already stated, it was decided to be a very fair verdict. Of course the liquor vender appealed to the upper courts, where the " female " was not permitted by the law of the State to go into the courts to influence jury, or anyone else. But, after long delay, and staving off, and the liquor men boasting that they had money enough to fight that poor, friendless woman as long as she chose-the lower court was sustained, except the damage was cut down to $40, if I remember correctly. The unheard-of occurrence of a woman pleading a case in court, produced quite a sensation. The papers sent it abroad, far and near, and the lawyers and other gentlemen of the city so chaffed my good friend, Esq. Spence, for letting an old lady beat him, that he became quite un- friendly towards me. And I, having noticed that while he was speaking to some point of law as the case progressed, the foreman laid his head back and slept, could not resist the tempta- tion to tell him that I could keep the jury awake
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.