History of the Georgia Woman's Christian temperance union from its organization, 1883-1907 / by Mrs. J.J. Ansley ; with an introduction by Miss M. Theresa Griffin . . . containing the names of members of the Senate and House of representatives who voted for the prohibitory law and of the governor who signed the bill ; also illustrated with a number of portraits of noted temperance men and women

MRS. J- J- AXSLEY, THE AUTHOR.

HISTORY of the GEORGIA WOMANS CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION
FROM ITS ORGANIZATION, 1883 to 1907.
BY
MRS. J. J. ANSLEY,
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
MISS M. THERESA GRIFFIN.
Recording Secretary of the Georgia W. C. 7. U.
CONTAINING THE NAMES OF MEMBERS! OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO! VOTED FOR THE PROHIBI TORY LAW AND OF THE GOVERNOR (WHO SIGNED THE BILL. ALSO ILLUSTRATED WITH A NUMBER OF {PORTRAITS OF NOTED TEMPERANCE MEN AND WOMEN.

COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY THX WOMANS CHRISTIAN TEKPEBANCE UNION OF GEORGIA.
BIGHTS RESERVED.
coLumu*, a*.

TO THE GOVERNOR,
THE HON. HOKE SMITH,
AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO PLACED UPON THE STATUTE BOOKS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
A PROHIBITORY LAW, JULY 30th. 1907, THIS VOLUME
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE
GEORGIA WOMANS CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

Truth unweaponed conquers every wrong."

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO VOTED FOB TUB PRO
12 HIBITION BILL ......... 15 INTRODUCTION --------.-
CHAPTER I.

EARLY PROHIBITION IN GEORGIA ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF TUB TBMPBRANCB MOVEMENT PRECEDING THB WO
19 MANS CHRISTIAN TEMPBRANCB UNION ....

CHAPTER II.

ORIGIN OF THB WOMANS CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION "MOTHER 8TEWART" INVITED BY GOOD TBMPLARS ORGANIZES THE FIRST UNION IN ATLANTA, 1881-LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS FRANCES WILLARD COMBS LOCAL
35 OPTION BILL DEFEATED IN JULY, 1881 ------

CHAPTER in.

GOD8 CALL TO WOMEN-STATE ORGANIZATION FIRST CON

VENTION MEETS IN ATLANTA, JANUARY 11TH, 1888, MRS.

WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, PRESIDENT FRANCES B. WILLARD

AND MRS. SALLIB F. CHAPIN ARE THE SPEAKERS LOCAL

OPTION PETITIONS CONTINUE BUT BILL DEFEATED A

SECOND TIME-SECOND GEORGIA W. C. T. U. CONVENTION

AT AUGUSTA IN 18W

-----

- - 51

CHAPTER IV.

8KBD SOWING THROUGH DEPARTMENTS - TRAINING THB CHILDREN PRISON WORK-WITH THE COLORED PEOPLETHIRD CONVENTION IN COLUMBUS IN 188K-MRS. SALLIE F. CHAPINS ELOQUENCE-JTORK OF THE W. C. T. U. IN ELECTIONS FROM 1888 TO 1886 HOW FULTON
68

CHAPTER V.
^PASSAGE OF THB GENERAL T.nnAr. nPTTrnj PIT.I. JTTT.V yrw
Jffl6^SP,UHIY._VICTORIE8-SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE IN STRUCTION BILL DEFEATED FOURTH CONVENTION IN MAY, 1888, AT MACON A GREAT SUCCESS-SECOND AT TEMPT TO PASS SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION LAW DEFEATED -1887 CONVENTION HELD IN MASONIC TEMPLE, SAVANNAH ACTER TWO YEARS PROHIBITION
ATLANTA WBNT WET-HEN~UX UKAUVS GREAT 5E<5HkS 90

viii

Table of Contents.

CHAPTER VI.

MRS. W. H. FELTON, A WHITE RIBBON ORATOR OF PIONEER

DAYS-ORIGINATED AND WKOTE W. C. T. U. MEMORIAL

AGAINST CONVICT LEASE IN 1886 -- MADE PROHIBITION

SPEECHES THROUGHOUT GEORGIA-SPOKE AGAINST THE

INTERNAL REVENUE SYSTEM--HER GREAT SPEECH AT

MADISON HELPED TO CARRY MORGAN COUNTY DRY

-

Page 104

CHAPTER VII.

CONVENTION OF 1888 AT BAPTIST CHURCH, ATLANTA--MRS. CHAPIN, HON. WALTER B. HILL, MRS. FELTON THE SPEAKERS-CONVENTION IN 1889 AT AUGUSTA-MOVE MENT LED BY MRS. M. L. McLENDON FOR STATE INDUS TRIAL COLLEGE FOR GIRLS -- HIGH LICENSE POLICY CHECKS INCREASE OF PROHIBITION COUNTIES--1890 CON VENTION AT ROME-MRS. FELTON, MRS. McLENDON, HON. SEABORN WRIGHT THE SPEAKERS -----

113

CHAPTER VLU.

INVITED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE THE NATIONAL W. C.

T. U. COMES TO ATLANTA, NOVEMBER, 1890-FRANCES

WILLARD, ANNA GORDON, ELIZABETH GREENWOOD

AMONG THE SPEAKERS--MARY H. HUNT, MARY T. LATH-

ROP AND CLARA C. HOFFMAN ADDRESS THE LEGIS

LATURE--GREAT IMPETUS GIVEN BY NATIONAL CON

VENTION

....-----

124

CHAPTER IX.

STATE CONVENTION AT THOMASVILLE. 1891--MRS. MARY T. LATHROP THE SPEAKER-CONVENTION AT MILLEDGEVILLE, 1882--MRS. 8ALLIE F. CHAPIN AND MRS. FELTON SPEAK-- FIVE PROHIBITION COUNTIES ADDED--DISPENSARY ES TABLISHED IX ATHENS--S. T. I. LAW DEFEATED THE THIRD TIME IN LEGISLATURE-CONVENTION IN 1898 AT MACON--OPPOSITION OF LEADING BAPTIST MINISTERSNORTH GEORGIA M. E. CONFERENCE REFUSES ENDORSE MENT--MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, MRS. W. H. FELTON, AND MRS. LELLA A, D1LLARD DEFEND THE W. C. T. U.--WOMAN SUFFRAGE CONTROVERSY SET AT REST -

134

Table of Contents.

ix

CHAPTER X.
CONVENTION AT ROME, 1894--RESULTS OP MINISTERIAL OPPO SITION--GREAT PETITION PRESENTED TO LEGISLATURE FOK 8. T. I. BILL WITHOUT SUCCESS-CONVENTION AT SA VANNAH 1886 SMALL BUT DETERMINED-SPEAKERS, MISS KEARNEY, MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY, MRS. MARY McGHEE 8NELL -- CONVENTION OF 1898 AT BRUNSWICK -- MISS KEARNEY SPEAKS GRANDLY--LECTURE BUREAU ESTAB LISHED--LECTURES AT COTTON STATES EXPOSITION IN ATLANTA BY FRANCES B. BEAUCHAMP, KATHERINE LENT STEVENSON, HELEN M. BARKER--DEATH OF MRS. SALLIE F. CHAPIN, THE "GREATHEART" OF THE W. C. T. U. -

Page 150

CHAPTER XI.
THE CHAPIN MONUMENT--HOW OBTAINED--FRANCES WILLARD'S TRIBUTE-WHAT MRS. CHAPIN DID FOR A GEORGIA VILLAGE .-..-..- 161

CHAPTER XII.
MRS. L. M. N. 8TEVENS AT STATE CONVENTION, SANDERSVILLE, 1897 --URGES TEMPERANCE EDUCATION - MRS. FELTON, MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY, AND MRS. J. J. THOMAS COMMITTEE TO WORK FOR S. T. I. BILL-INDIGNATION AT ITS CONTINUED DEFEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE-PAS SING OF FRANCES E. WILLARD, FEBRUARY 19TH, 1898MEMORIAL SERVICE AT CONVENTION IN ATLANTA, JUNE HTH--ADOPTION OF FRANCHISE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED AND DEFEATED ---.-..-.

170

CHAPTER XIII.
CLOUDS AGAIN LOWER--MANY UNIONS DISBAND--NO CON VENTION IN 18B8-CONVENTION AT AUGUSTA, 1800-ONLY EIGHT UNIONS REPRESENTED-MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY RESIGNS--HER PARTING MESSAGE--MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY ELECTED PRE8IDENT-HER HIGH QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE --------- 178

CHAPTER XTV.

A VIGOROUS NEW ADMINISTRATION-BARNE8V1LLE CON

VENTION, 1W1--MRS. STEVENS AND MISS GORDON PRESENT-

PASSAGE OF SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION BILL

DECEMBER, 1901--INTERESTING CELEBRATION IN BOSTON

AT THE HOME OF MRS. MARY H. HUNT, NATIONAL SUPER

INTENDENT 8. T. I.

-------

186

x

Table of Contents.

CHAPTER XV.
Pig*

TWO CONVENTIONS IN 1MB, MILLEDGEVILLE IN MAY AND

THOMSON IN OCTOBER--VETO OF DISPENSARY BILL--GOV

ERNOR CANDLER FIRST HONORARY MEMBER--MRS. AR

MOR ENTKRED THE WORK, GRIFFIN CONVENTION, 190S-

EASTMAN CONVENTION, 1904, MRS. 8- M. D. FRY, SPEAKER,

GEORGIA BULLETIN ESTABLISHED-MRS. 8IBLEY RESIGNS

AND MRS. ARMOR ELECTED AT AMEBICU8,1906--MRS. NELL

G. BURGER SPEAKER--RECORD BREAKING CONVENTION

AT LAG RANGE IN 1HW-NEW CHARTER SECURED -

-

199

CHAPTER XVI.

DEPARTMENT WORK UNDER MRS. ARMOR'S ADMINISTRA

TION--ITS DIRECT AND INDIRECT INFLUENCE UPON

PROHIBITION

.-..----

- 210

CHAPTER XVII.

MRS. ARMOR'S INTENSIVE METHODS--HER BRILLIANT CAM

PAIGNING--W. C. T. U. BULLETIN AS A WEAPON IN THE

BATTLE

-

--

..----- 216

CHAPTER XVIII.

STRENUOUS ACTIVITY--MRS. ARMOR'S CAMPAIGN WORK CON TINUED--UNION OF FORCES WITH ANTI-SALOON LEAGUEAUTHORS OF THE PROHIBITION BILL .... 223

CHAPTER XIX.

SCENES IN ATLANTA IN UNIT-PROHIBITION RALLIES-SUNRISE

PRAYER MEETING--CROWDS AT THE CAPITOL--WHITE

RIBBONERS CALM IN THE MIDST OF STORM

-

- 228

CHAPTER XX.

THE WORK OF WHITE RIBBONERS AT THE CAPITOL-FILI BUSTERING BY ANTI-PROHIBITIONISTS--FINAL VICTORY. 234

CHAPTER XXI.

THE JUBILEE CONVENTION AT COLUMBUS, OCTOBER, 1M7--

MRS. STEVENS, MISS GORDON, MISS RHENA E. G. MOSHER

PRESENT--NATIONAL CONVENTION AT NASHVILLE, NO

VEMBER, 1W--MRS. ARMOR'S GREAT SPEECH, "HOW GEOR

GIA WENT DRY"--HER EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLAR COL

LECTION

-

---......

241

APPENDIX

.......... 253

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
MBS. J. J. AN8LEY, THE AUTHOR. JAMES EDWARD OQLETHOKPE, FOUNDER OF COLONY OF GEOR
GIA, 1788. BBV. SAM P. JONES, THE FEARLESS APOSTLE OF WORLD-WIDE
PROHIBITION. MISS MISSOURI H. STOKES. MRS. Jfl. C. WITTER. RESIDENCE OF MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY AT AUGUSTA. MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGIA
W. C. T. U. MRS. JOHN 8. MOORE AND MRS. M. 8. A. WEBB. MRS. MARY L. McLENDON. MRS. WILLIAM H. FELTON. J(Q^J4Bfit&jLJESiaHT, LEADER OF THE PROHIBITION PARTY. MRS. LELLA A. DILLARU. MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY, SECOND PRESIDENT. AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF FRANCES WILLARD. MRSl THOMAS E. PATTERSON, FOURTH PRESIDENT. MKS. CHESTERFIELD H. SMITH. MRS. MARY HARRIS ARMOR, THIRD PRESIDENT. PROHIBITION MAP OF GEORGIA IN 1906.
r. BTurcr.V, V.nTTnR. OF "THE GEORGIAN", THE ONLY PAPER IN GEORGIA TO ESPOUSE THE CAUSE OF STATEWIDE PROHIBITION. HON. WILLIAM J. NEEL. HON. L. G. HARDMAN, JOINT AUTHOR OF THE PROHIBITION BILL. HON. WILLIAM A. COVINGTON. JOINT AUTHOR OF THE PROHIBI TION BILL.

MEMBERS OP THE LEGISLATURE WHO VOTED FOR THE PROHIBITION BILL.

SENATORS:

NAME
JOHN W. AKIN.

DISTRICT .Forty-second

E. Wixx BORX ...___Thirty-fourth J. W. BOYD.__.____Thirty-second C. W. BRAXTLEY_____Sixteenth J. S. BCSH ._...__..._Eighteenth

BENJAMIN CAMP.._._Thirty-first J. 8. COWART______._____Ninth H. A. CRITTEXDEX .____Eleventh

GEORGE W. DEEX._.___._Fifth E. P. DoBB3..............1.ThIrty-finh

IRA E. FARMER__._Twenty-ninth MARION L. FELTS____Nineteenth

L. G. HABDMAX......._.Thirty-third P. M. HAWKS ._..._____Thlrtletb J. E. HAVES.___.____Thirteenth J. A. J. HEXDERSOX ____Fifteenth LEWIS A. HEXDERSOX..Thirty-ninth J. D. HOWARD._._____Twentieth

NAME

DISTRICT

C. I. HCDSOX__.___Twenty-fifth J. W. HUGHES._..._....__Second

J. P. KXIGHT._.__._____Sixth

A. E. LASHLEY________Fortieth

W. C. MABTix.............Forty-thlrd

E. K. OVERSTREET...._Seventeenth

Z. V. PEACOCK______Fourteenth

J. B. STAPLETON__.__._.Twelfth E. T. STEED_____Thirty-seventh W. L. SIKES .._____..._._Tenth

J. W. TAYLOR._____.Thirty-sixth C. H. TURXER____Twenty-seventh

WILLIAM WALDEN ..__Eighteenth W. F. WALKER....._._._Thlrty-elghth J. L. WEAVER_______Forty-first H. W. WHALEY._.....--------.Third J. A. WILKES____......_Seventh Q. L. WILLIFORD......Twenty-eighth

REPRESENTATIVES:

NAME

COUNTY

W. B. ADAMS._______._Elbert

T. A. ADKIXS.__________Dooly HOOPER ALEXANDER____DeKalb

J. D. AHDEHSOW________.Cobb

NAME

COUNTY

C. B. ASHLBY_______----Lowndes PAUL M. ATKINSON_____Morgan J. B. ATWATER_______.--Upson J. W. AUSTIN _________Murray

Georgia W. C. T. V.

13

NAME

'

COUNTY

F. D. BALLARD......___....Newton FEBMOR BABBITT___....Stephens

ANDREW E. BoND.............Forsyth E. P. BOWJCN................--.---Tlfl

JOSEPH D. BOYD..............Spaldlng

W. F. BROWN.._..............Carroll PAUL BROWN..............Oglethorpe

W. A. BUCUANNON .__.___.....Karly W.T. BCRKHALTER ..........Tattnall

WILLIAM BUTT ._._.--....Fannln

W. H. BURWELL...__.....Hancock

O. CALBECK..___._........Gordon J. P. CALLAWAY____....------Lee C. M. CANDLER.........._....DeKalb D. J. CLARK_._._._....Lanrens PETER CLIFTON .._..........Toombs 61. E. COLLUK ...__.____Schley E. E. COOK_______Chattahoochee MATT COOK._._._..........Telfiilr M. L. COOK.........__..___Thomas W. A. COVINOTON..._____Colqultt M. H. COUCH.____...----....Coweta J. W. COWAN._____.....Bockdale
T. G. CULBRXTH _________Echols

B. G. DANIEL...__......._Jenklns J. H. DAvis_____.___Houston B. E. DAVISON..._._....._Greene L. A. DEAN.___________Floyd B. L. DICKEY______._Crawford E. J. DOBMINY ______.___Irwln C. I. DUQOAN______ Washington W. W. DYKES, JR........_._Snmter

W. T. EAVES_________Haralson B. H. EDMONSON_.__.Cbattooga J. C. EDWARDS .___....Habersham 8. T. ELLISON._....._...._Harris

T. V. FAOAN_________Houston W. J. FLANDERS__.__.Johnson A. M. FLANIOAN______.Jackson N. A. FBIER........_...........Ware

NAME

COUNTY

J. Z. FOSTER............--.....--Cobb H. J. FULLBRIGHT ._......----Burke
P. F. M. FOBR.................--Banks

N. L. GALLOWAY ..............Walton W. A. GIBSON .............--Glaeock THOMAS M. GoDLEY.........Camden J. W. GOODE....................Plckens CLARENCE T. GCYTON__Effingham

W. W. HAMILTON...........Columbia B. N. HARDEUAN..__.....Jefferson
B.C. HARRIS..__.._..--....Crisp 8. M. HAYWOOD ....._._..McDuffle BENJAMIN F. HILL.........--Monroe J. N. HOLDER...............--Jackson G. M. HUIE___.____.._...Clayton ' W. C. HULLBNDER._........Catoosa
J. B. JACKSON_____.--.--Jones GREENE F. JOHNSON ...........Jasper L. W. JOHNSON_.__....JeffDavls J. F. JOHNSON ......_.........Towns W. B.JONBS_______Meriwether A. T. JONES......_.......--.Mltchell
G. J. KEITH__...........Meriwether THOMAS B. KENDALL........Pauldlng J. B. KENDRiCK.............Tallaferro

G. D. LIVELY.__..___----Burke G. P. LuNsroBD._...........Stewart

W. K. Mclntyre...............Thomas
J. J.C. MCMAHAN...........--Clarke
E.H. McMiCHAEL_....__...Marion
A. J. MCMULLAN.........----....Hart
8. C. MCWILLIAMS..............Henry L. H. O. MARTIN..............--Elbert L. B. MASSENGALE..... ....... Warren 8. H. MAYS................ ........Butts J. B. MERCER....................Terrell JOSEPH A. MORRIS_--------Wayne I. F. MUNDY .............----......Polk

WILLIAM J. NEEL .............Barlow O. A. Nix ___________Gwlnnett

History of the

NAME
HAL G. NOWELL .

COUNTY
.Walton

J. C. ODUM_________.........._Baker I. N. ORB __....__..........Coweta

W. M. PABKEB__...._...-....._.Talbot C.E. PAKKISH________.Berrien CLAUD PAYTON________Worth QZOBGK OGDEN PERSONS__Monroe W. J. PETERSOX ____Montgomery M. E. POPE _._.___.__.Brooks LEE POPE.........._.__........Dade J. A. PBICE._....____....Bartow 3. D. PRICE_________....Oconee

J. E. REID_________...Macon A. 8. REID___.______.Pntnam S. B. REID..__......_.......Wllcox W. H. ROGEKS ...............Mclntosh W. T. ROGERS ...............Randolph B. L. ROUNTREE _______Emannel T. E. RTALS........................Bibb
EMXETT R. SHAW ________.Clay W. D. SHBITIIILD ______Decatnr T. G. SIMXOSS _________Gllmer E. L. SMITH...__._____Calhonn CLAUDE C. SMITH _____Campbell W. A. STRICKLABD ____... --Pike

NAME

COUNTY

J. B. STUBBS._..._........Thomas J. W. SUMMER __ ._____.Turner 8. B. SWILLING_______Franklin

J. B. TAYLOB ......._.__.Appllng R. R. TEBBKLL._________Grady T. B. THORNE _________Balloch B. F. THURMAN......__._Walker C. C. TRACY__._____....Webster 8. J. TYSON._________Emannel

J. R. WALKER________Lowndeg G. B. WALKER _________Milton J. FRANK WALKER.__Washington C. A. WAKD___________Coffee W. G. WARNELL______Tattnall M. D. WATKIXS _________CarroJI S. A. WAY......................Pulaskl L. A. WHITE..................Madison H. S. WHITE.____.___Screven T. R. WHITLEY ______Douglas W. J. WII.I.IAMS__...___...Dodge G. W. WILLIAMS_....___Lanrens W. W. WILSON...............Gwlnnett J. W. WISE.........__..._..Fayette SEABORN W RIGHT _______Floyd 8. A. WOOTTEN ....___......Wllkes
R. M. YOUNG__________.Troup

Introduction.
" When the Isord turned again the captivity of Zion, then were we like unto them that dream; then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with Joy. *
Thus it was with the White Ribboners of Georgia when the wires flashed out the news that the Legislature of 1907 had passed a state wide prohibition law and that Governor Hoke Smith had signed it! They dreamed of stgfe rp<WmpH from the oppression of the liguor traffic; they dreamed of homes to which domestic happiness and prosperity were restored-- homes long familiar witn only misery, dissension, shame and want; they dreamed of honest money jurnetir into channels of blessing instead of stuffing the coffers oT the whiskey peller; they dreamed of the closing of houses of prostitution and the disappearance from our streets and newspapers of the lying advertisements sent out by "the trade;" they dreamed of little children released from grinding toil and learning to play and laugh and live; they dreamed of churches and school houses and happy homes rising to efface the memory of the hated dram-shops. Oh what glorious dreams they were!
Our bright, brave and brilliant leader, Mary Harris Armor dreamed of a magnificent bronze memorial

16

History of the

fountain to be erected on the Capitol grounds in At lanta, a permanent reminder of this great victory for civic righteousness and a means of perpetuating the names of all the members of the General Assembly who had voted for the Prohibition Bill. She dreamed that it would be fashioned with artistic skill and would attract the men and women of future generations to admire its beauty and learn its purpose; that it would ever flow with bright and sparkling water and be an object of pride and pleasure to all Georgians. Her idea was warmly taken up by the women of the Atlanta W. C. T. U-, to whom she first mentioned it, and was duly launched at the Jubilee Convention in Columbus, Octo ber, 1907. The fountain was not to cost less than $5,000.00 and committees were appointed in each Con gressional District of the State to raise the money.
But the movement did not materialize. Very few outside the White Ribbon ranks seemed to take any interest in it--it is hard to explain exactly why. The masses of the people seemed absorbed in personal mat ters and cared very little for the prohibition law. It was life and death to us, but a mere passing sound to them. The politicians were skeptical as to its enforce ment; the gay and frivilous thought more of the latest mode or the popular novel of the moment than they did of the question of saloon dominance; the business men gave it only a passing comment. How wonderful it seemed that they did not care--but in the days when the Magna Charta was signed, did broad England, in the rank and file, even understand what had hap
pened?

Georgia W. C. T. U.

17

When the first year of the prohibition law had passed and the Georgia W. C. T. U. assembled at Macon for the annual convention, there was less than a thousand dol lars in the Fountain Fund. It was a disappointment; but, Mrs. Armor, ever resourceful, proposed that while the purpose of the fund should remain the same, that is, to memorialize the voters for the prohibition law, its method should be changed to the publication of a memorial volume, giving the history of the first twentyfive years of the existence of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the glorious crowning of its work in the passage of our Prohibition measure. This idea met with instant favor and the present volume is the outcome. It has been carefully prepared by one who was close to the heart of the prohibition movement throughout and who is truly an enthusiast in the temperance cause. To those "who have ears to hear" it will appeal; to those who can share the sorrows of Jesus Christ over a sinful world it will have a meaning.
These pages make up the story of a great moral battle and, thank God, of a great victory. It tells of the aspira tion of Oglethorpe and of many of the early builders of our great state, that Georgia should be free from the plague spot of liquor selling; it sketches the stress and strain of twenty-five years of woman's humble work; how our White Ribbon women gently plead, prayed and endured; how they taught the children, how they warned and persuaded the men; how they besought the ministers of God to join them in the work and give them the sanction and prestige of the church; how the
(2)

18

History of the

temperance men strove by forensic eloquence, diplo

matic skill and virile strength of purpose to beat back

the army of liquor sellers; and how, by the blessing of

God. they succeeded at least in branding these debauch-

ers of our state with the brand of outlawry. Let the

,,

children and grandchildren of these men and women

read and understand, if they can, what this struggle

meant to those who went before. If even a few may

sense from it the grandeur of our cause and the joy and

glory of working for it--then the Story of the Georgia

W. C. T. U. from 1883 to 1907 is not written in vain.

M. THERESA GRIFFIN,

Recording Secretary.

CHAPTER I.
EAIU.Y PROHIBITION IN GEORGIA.--ORIGIN AND PBOGRESS OF THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT PHECEDING THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
Every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity.
--Julius Caesar, Act I, Sc. III.
As a great life is made up of influences a hundred years back of it, so a great organization springs into being through forces put into operation many gener ations prior to its existence. For this reason it seems best to trace briefly from the beginning of Georgia's history the origin of her temperance principles together with the work of those orders which formed a basis for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and led to the shaping of its policy.
At the time of the prohibition victory in Georgia, July 30th, 1907, when statutory prghiMtiftn of t*"* Kq'w trallic was secured, many writers and speakers gave an opinion as to what brought it to pass. Some attributed ifto the Christian Church at large, some to the ministry, some to certain individuals, some to the Anti-Saloon League, others to the Woman's Christian Temperance "Onion.If we look to history, which is alone able to give a correct judgment, it will be found that the cumu lative influence which resulted in this achievement, dates beyond the early settlement of Georgia to the

20

History of the

English forefathers who had a share in the formation of one of the most princely characters that ever blessed humanity--James Edward Oglethorpe. His exalted conception of human liberty, and rare spirit of unselfish philanthropy, shielded the persecuted and protected the weak of two continents. Not only the State of Georgia but the entire Union is brought under tribute to his munificence and devotion to the cause of right. With pen, voice, money and sword he fought every enemy to civic righteousness. From the first morning of Feb ruary 2nd, 1733. when he, with his compatriots, gath ered about the camp fires on the shores of the Savannah and dedicated the soil whereon they stood to Almighty God, until the day he left, never to return, he was as a wall of fire against the greatest oppressor known to the human race--the legalized liquor traffic.
Under his heroic leadership, Georgia's charter was baptized with mercy, opening her gates to the friend less, granting liberty of conscience to all persecuted Protestants, even receiving the outcast Jews as breth ren. A man of this type would as naturally forbid the importation of rum as he would protect his countrymen from any other foul invader. General Oglethorpe recognized the fact that the rule of rum would institute a tyranny of fiercer cruelty than that of kings or popes. In his memorable address on the first day of the colony's history in uttering an emphatic warning against the sin of intemperance, he said: "It is my hope that through your good example Georgia's settle ment will prove a blessing and not a curse to our Indian neighbors."

Georgia W. C. T. V.

21

He influenced the colonists to enact the most strin gent prohibitory laws against the importation of rum, which were rigidly enforced the first nine years of the colony's existence. Subsequently through the demor alizing agencies of war and the enforced absence of Oglethorpe, the officials became lax in their administra tion, the free use of intoxicants was allowed, the law against the importation of spirituous liquors violated, and finally repealed. Over-ridden by the majority, Oglethorpe yet pleaded for the enforcement rather than the annulment of the law. While the English Parlia ment was urging the grant of the right to import rum, in a letter to the trustees of the colony February, 1743, he says: "As for the magistrates in Savannah being able to enforce the law, it is the fault of such magis trates. I am sure here at Fredrica, the laws are strictly put in execution."
Thus we see that James Edward Oglethorpe was championing this great principle of human right long before the birth of its modern advocates. His broad humanitarianism and sturdy Christianity were the source of the first single stream in Georgia which has flowed down through the years and to-day goes to swell the great gulf stream of prohibitory law. He is not only the founder of the colony of Georgia, but the father of the first prohibition measure.
Next to promulgate prohibition in Georgia were the Salzburgers; those martyrs of the Alps, whose story of persecution has stirred the heart of every civilized nation. They came with the fires of heroism burning' in their breasts. They were inspired by the majesty

2:?

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of Georgia's two-fold mission: to make a home for the weak and oppressed and form a bulwark of defense to all the American colonies against the encroachment of the Spaniards. Their sobriety, industry, frugality and piety made their settlement, Ebcnczcr, the synonym for all that was peaceful and strong. At one time when England began to lose hope of the colony's development, and threatened to withdraw support, the consideration of the unremitting labor together with the temperate and pious habits of the Salzburgers, led to renewed confidence and fostering care. These pro genitors of great principles sowed the seed broadcast for wholesome legislation in the years following.
Two years later, 1735, the Scotch Presbyterians and Moravians came to add their quota of influence. The Moravians remained only a brief period, but the noble Scotch Highlanders who were placed on an outpost of danger at Darien as fortifiers against the Indians and Spaniards, held the fort with courage characteristic of their world-famed fidelity and made their community a center of joy and peace.
The same vessel which bore the Moravians and Scot land's brave sons, brought Charles Wesley, the founder of Methodism and one of the mightiest foes of the liquor traffic the world has produced. His rigid views of total abstinence supported by a powerful intellectual and spiritual force molded opinion, not so much through his own personal work in Georgia, as through teachers of his great system of Christian life and doc trine. Among the number of Wesley's disciples teach ing total abstinence was the eloquent Whitfield, whose

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wondcrous power gave tremendous momentum to the temperance cause. His terrific denunciation of drunk enness and drinking in the church at Savannah is thrill ing reading to this day, after more than a hundred years.
When General Oglethorpe retired from the Governor Generalship, and less worthy successors granted the right to import and manufacture spirituous liquors, the colonists became corrupted, their health impaired, and many died from the excessive use of intoxicants. Thousands of African slaves and Indians fell by the drink habit in a single year. DeBrahm says that so great was the slaughter among the negroes, that in 1761 there was scarce above three dozen negroes in the colony.
The rapid growth of debauchery and idleness under the license system, threatened the life of the colony. In June, 1752, when the charter was surrendered to the trustees, the sum of Georgia's annual exports was less than ten thousand pounds sterling. Wars were precip itated with the Indians through the inflammatory effects of alcoholic liquors, and death and desolation seemed to face the colonists on every hand.
Realizing the utter failure of the license system to regulate and control the drink evil, Governor Ellis, on the 27th day of July, 1757, signed a law forbidding the sale of wine, beer, cider, brandy, punch or other strong drinks whatsoever, in less quantities than three gallons at one time to one person. This law also forbade the sale of intoxicants to Indians. It had been demonstrated that the use of intoxicants not only made them a prey to dis-

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ease, and thus destroyed their lives, but kept them in a constant state of rebellion against the colonists.
Prior to the Revolution all spirituous liquors were im ported except a small quantity of domestic wine made from molasses. The war cutting off foreign importation, caused the establishment of distilleries at home, for at that time alcoholic liquors were regarded as an abso lute necessity to the army, not only because it was thought that they contained nourishing food properties, but because it was believed that they incited the soldiers to physical bravery. With the introduction of distill eries, the demoralizing effect of war, and the inebriety of the British soldiery, wholesale debauchery was prac ticed by a great mass of the people. Moral standards became so low that many preachers and school teachers were habitual drunkards. Of this period Sidney Lanier writes:

"Priest and soldier trilled good songs for mass, And all the prayers the Priests said were
'Pray, Drink!' And all the'Dsorilndkie!'rs swore was,
'Till mirth sat like a jaunty postillion Upon the back of time and urged him on."

The laws forbade swearing, gambling, Sabbath breaking, galloping horses through the streets; but drinking and drunkenness, which provoked these violations were allowed.
In 1788, Dr. Benjamin Bush, of Philadelphia, the cele brated temperance advocate, traveled through Georgia, appealing to the churches with burning fervor to make abstinence from alcoholic liquors obligatory on the part

JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE, Founder of Colony of Georgia, 1733.
'[From an Original Engravlu.sj.)
Uy Courtesy of Ogletborpe Chapter, IX A. R., Columbus, Ga.

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of their adherents. The year 1788 was a red letter year in the temperance movement in Georgia. Dr. Rush, not only with his powerful and convincing logic led many in the churches to see their responsibility, but the great Bishop Asbury came also as a mighty promulgator of temperance principles. As General Superin tendent of Methodism, he practiced and preached total abstinence, and at the same time saw that the law of his church, which forbade the manufacture, sale and use of intoxicants by the individual, was enforced. Perhaps no man since the days of the Apostles has given himself more fully to the betterment of his fellows than this saintly hero of the Cross. Many references in his journal reveal an agony of spirit over the blighting and destroying power of alcohol. Writing from North Carolina in July, 1780, he says: "I dwell as among scorpions and thorns: the people are poor and cruel to one another. Some families have corn and rye dis tilled into poisonous whiskey while others are ready to starve for want of bread."
In 1780, when the Revolutionary struggle was in its most critical period; when morals were shamefully relaxed, when it was regarded as the privilege of all, preachers among them, to partake of strong drink, Bishop Asbury held a firm rein in guiding the member ship of his denomination. On one occasion while pre siding over the American Methodist Conference, he was asked if our "friends, the members, shall be per mitted to make spirituous liquors and drink them in drams." "By no means," said he; "We think it wrong in its nature and consequence, and desire all our

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preachers to teach the people by precept and example to put away this evil."
The rules of the Methodist Church, written by John and Charles Wesley, forbidding the sale, manufacture and useof ardent spirits as a beverage,did more to bring the great masses of the people to see the evil of intem perance and legislate against it in the early days, than all other agencies combined. Revs. James Axley, Hope Hull, Humphries, John Major and other Methodist preachers of that day exhibited a zeal and untiring de votion worthy of St. Paul. Through heat and cold they traveled from the mountains to the sea, risking their lives, at times, by exposure to wild beasts of the forest. Wherever they went the law of total abstinence was practiced and proclaimed. This was so universally done that many members of the Methodist Church of a later period were slow to unite with the temperance organizations giving as their reason that the Methodist Church was as strong a temperance society as could be formed.
In 1766 Dr. Rush's powerful treatise on "The Effects of Ardent Spirits Upon the Human Body and Mind," stirred his (the Presbyterian) Church to action, and wonderfully aroused all the churches. Although the Baptist Church at that time contained no law against the members using alcohol as a beverage, it was the first church in Georgia to organize a society to create temperance sentiment. At Eatonton, Georgia, in July, 1827, Dr. Adiel Sherwood, of the Eatonton Baptist Church and Dr. J. H. Campbell, of Columbus, Georgia, (Baptist Church), organized the first temperance

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society in the State. Rev. Abner W. Clopton, of Vir ginia, a Baptist minister of remarkable power, drafted the Constitution. Dr. Lovick Pierce, of the Methodist Church, joined hands with his Baptist brethren, and one year later, April, 1828, at Monticello, Georgia, the organization of the State Temperance Society was accomplished.

Under the leadership of such men as Judge A. B. Longstreet, Judge Joseph H. Lumpkin, General R. C. Shorter, Dr. Adiel Sherwood, Judge Thomas Stocks, and Dr. Milton Anthony, the seed were sown which brought forth the historic "Moderation Era." Temperance societies were formed in wellnigh every county. After several years of earnest endeavor, the forces realized the need of legislation, and 1838 became known as "Petition Year." Various states, Georgia among them, began to petitition the legislatures to repeal the liquor license law. In this petition work Georgia was led by that sterling Christian, Josiah Flournoy, of Putnam County. His heroic and unselfish labors--leaving his business and traveling in his buggy from one end of the state to the other, securing signatures, and at every center speaking with all the fervor of his great powers, amid an opposition which amounted to persecution, furnishes an instance of the noblest patriotism. For a time success seemed secured, but owing to the opposi tion of the press and politicians, his efforts failed in obtaining the repeal of Georgia's liquor license law, but was productive of great good in causing an arrest of thought and in stimulating higher standards.

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This movement was closely followed by the "Moral Suasion Era," as instituted by the Washingtonians, the fundamental law of whose organization was the refor mation of the drunkard. It swept over the state and nation like a prairie fire, and for a time seemed to be the complete solution of the drink evil. But before the movement had thoroughly entrenched itself, some of its own leaders fell by drink, and it soon lost its hold upon the public mind. It was an appeal to the emotions exclusively and therefore failed of its purpose. The "Sons of Temperance" came forward to meet the weak ness of the "Washingtonians." It was instituted upon a more solid basis and its work was more enduring. It strengthened the bonds of temperance among all temperance advocates and was rapidly gaining in num bers and influence when the clouds of the Civil War burst upon it, and its membership was scattered by a call to arms.
"The Daughters of Temperance," affiliated with the "Sons of Temperance," had representation in the great Temperance Conventions, marched with the procession bearing banners and wearing badges; but there is no evidence of full membership or legal right to share in the government of the organization. Professor Henry A. Scomp, in his complete and accurate "History of Temperance in Georgia," states that "many young ladies used stronger arguments than merely falling in with the procession to advance the cause. Lists of assumed names with post offices, were banded together under mutual pledge--that they would marry cold water men or live without husbands."

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In 1850 Georgia was blessed with a visit from that peerless son of Ireland, Father Matthew, whose Christly service in the temperance cause has made him the bene factor of the wide world. Thousands gave up drink under his mighty appeals! In a single day at Augusta, Georgia, he secured the pledge of six hundred to total abstinence.
In 1855, througout the United States, as the result of temperance education for two and a half decades, there developed a sentiment sufficiently strong to cause the various orders--"Sons of Temperance," "Daughters of Temperance," "Cadets of Temperance,"--to have hope of obtaining State prohibition. The victory of state prohibition achieved in Maine had intensified the fires of the temperance hosts of Georgia, as in many other states. A great wave of burning enthusiasm swept over the nation and some of the strongest men were loudly demanding state prohibitory law. In Georgia, the State Temperance Convention, met in Atlanta, Feb ruary 22nd, 1855, and nominated the Rev. B. H. Overby, of Fulton County, as their candidate for Governor. A strong prohibition platform was adopted and a vigorous campaign entered upon. The wise and farseeing prohibitionists from the beginning felt assured, or practically so, that the democratic nominee, Hon. H. V. Johnson, would win, but if defeated, they knew the agitation and education which would follow Mr. Overby's powerful appeals to conscience, facts and reason, would give the temperance movement an uplift as could nothing else at that time. His canvass of the State was an epoch making record in Georgia's temper-

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ancc annals. The election resulted in his defeat by -18.398 votes, but the agitation gave the cause tremend ous momentum. Had not the Civil War scattered the forces it is probable that Georgia with other states of that period would have swept the liquor traffic from her borders before the first cannon was fired at Fort Sumter.
During She Confederacy liquor \vas sometimes issued to tin soldiers. This, together with the fact that impor tation was cuf off by the enemy, caused many to distill their grain, fruits and vegetables into whiskey. This was so extensively done that in 1862, Governor Joseph E. Brown sent a message to the General Assembly of Georgia recommending that a law be enacted restrict ing the distillation of spirituous liquors, that the grain might be saved for the army, and especially that bread might be provided for poor, helpless families, and widows and orphans. The proclamation was heartily endorsed by the State at large, and the legislature passed a. measure embodying its recommendations. The historian of that period tells us however, that there was one class of Georgia's citizenship who were abso lutely unmoved by the "general suffering" brought on through the scarcity of bread and other edibles; these were the distillers.
While distillation of liquor was somewhat cut off by the legislation during the war, immediately following, when the men returned to restore their fortunes, many resorted to distilling spirituous liquors as a speedy avenue to wealth. Under this regime drinking and drunkenness increased to an appalling extent. This

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went on until the State was wellnigh and perhaps altogether as completely bound by the liquor traffic as at any time within her history. Men of the higher and nobler type were everywhere in prayer for deliverance. Deliverance came in part at least, through Britain's brave son--James G. Throv/er. He organized the "Good Templars" throughout the state and in 1869 two years after, formed a Grand Lodge with Dr. E. J. Kirksey, of Columbus, Georgia, as Chief Templar. This organization rested upon a solid basis, it stood for the absolute prohibition of the liquor traffic and "for the election of good, honest men to administer the laws." It also demanded total abstinence by the individual from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
So far as we know the Good Templars was the first temperance institution which admitted women into its membership on an equal footing with men. The early record states that much of the "enthusiasm and inspiration" came to the work through its female mem bership. A thrilling story of a woman's courage is related by Dr. G. L. Jones, of Florida, son of "Uncle Dabney" Jones, who was perhaps the most widely known and most greatly beloved of any of the early temperance champions. "Uncle Dabney" had an appointment in Bulloch County to speak for temper ance. An immense crowd had gathered, among them a set of "roughs" who declared he should not speak. As he arose to begin his address, they advanced towards the platform with heavy sticks in hand; just before they reached the speaker a large square shouldered woman sprang to her feet, and said, "If you get to him you will

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come over my dead body!" Her name should go down in history. We trust that Dr. Jones will yet find who this modern Deborah was, that future generations may give honor to her as a heroine of the truest type.
"The Good Templars" enlisted many strong young
men of the State, among them W. E. H. Searcy, who
gave himself unreservedly, time, means and talents to the work. In 1870 he moved to Griffin, Georgia, and began the publication of the Watchman, the first tem perance paper published after the war. Under the leadership of his paper the forces were unified and greatly strengthened. Rev. M. J. Gofer, now of the Wcsleyan Advocate, and Mr. J. G. Thrower, were his right arms in this forward movement. To this noble trio--W. E. H. Searcy, M. J. Gofer and J. G. Throweris due a debt of gratitude that Georgia can never repay. They skillfully handled the most delicate and difficult questions which came as a result of the war. The tem perance organizations of that period all were of national scope, and under national authority, there were no state rights, every question had to be referred to the great head of the order before action could be taken. This irksome policy became distasteful to the South, not only this but rules allowing the interming ling of the colored people as private and official mem bers of the organization caused the Southern States to call for a more democratic form of government in which each state would enjoy the privilege of regulat ing her own affairs. The South, true to her traditions while entertaining a hearty goodwill toward her colored brethren and sincerely desiring their highest develop-

REV. SAM P. JONES. The Fearless Apostle of World-Wide Prohibition.

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ment in the temperance work, regarded a commingled membership of white and colored as a mistaken policy and one which would cripple the growth of the colored members and greatly hamper the whites in prosecuting the best interests of the cause. Therefore, for the good of each, a Southern Temperance Convention was called in 1871 at Chattanooga, Tennessee, to consider these questions and some others of less importance. The past record states that this meeting was "well attended and the proceedings harmonious." This is a marked tribute to the consecration of the leaders of that day when points of such delicacy and difficulty were to be weighed. Later other councils were held and finally in 1873, November 27th, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, their endeavors crystalized in the formation of the "United Friends of Temperance," upon a basis of union which required the pledge of total abstinence from all drinks which contained the least trace of alcohol, a guarantee of state rights, separate orders for white and colored, the prohibition of sectarian and political discussions in the order, and duration of the pledge to be left optional with the individual. In this movement Rev. W. A. Parks, W. E. H. Searcy, M. J. Gofer, J. G. Thrower, Hon. C. P. Crawford, C. M. Haddock, H. Clay Jones, Dr. W. P. Harrison, W. W. Oslin, J. J. Hickman, Dr. E. M. Pendleton, and a host of others of a later period did valiant service; among them, that strong apostle of truth--Rev. Sam P. Jones.
At his side stood a great company of noblemen such as Henry W. Grady, Atticus G. Haygood, Henry A. Scomp, William J. Northen, J. B. Hawthorne, C. R.
(8)

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Pringle, Dr. William H. Fclton, Alfred H. Colquitt, A. J. Hughes--the unfaltering and self-effacing work of the last named champion of temperance in Georgia would fill a volume in itself.
But are these all? Nay, verily, only a few among a multitude mighty in strength and purpose who vowed a vow as high as heaven and enduring as eternity to drive the demon alcohol from Georgia's fair borders!

"One blast of their bugle horn was worth a thousand men! 0! Glorious sons of Georgia!
Who when by error's hosts assailed, Stood strong as truth in greaves of granite mailed!
And tranquil fronted, listening over all The tumult, hear the angels say, 'Well done.'"

CHAPTER II.
ORIGIN OF THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION-- "MOTHER STEWART," INVITED BY GOOD TEMPLARS, ORGAN IZES THE FIRST UNION IN ATLANTA, 1881--LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS--FRANCES WILLAHD COMES--LOCAL OPTION BILL DEFEATED IN JULY, 1881.
And Deborah said unto Barak, "Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee?"
--Judges 4:14.
In the foregoing chapter we have given a brief resume of the early temperance work in Georgia from 1733-1879 showing that for more than a hundred years the bitter struggle had been going on between the forces of right and wrong. It is seen that Georgia was not only born free from the curse of the liquor traffic and preserved her freedom nine years, but that the foundations of her government were laid upon truth and righteousness; that from the first day she looked to the "everlasting hills" and the Eternal guided her destinies. When the powers of darkness began to lay hold upon her through the introduction of distilleries and the repeal of her prohibitory law, it is seen how such men as the Wesleys, Whitfield, Bishop Asbury, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Father Matthew, J. N. Stearns, C. M. Mead, John B. Gough, Abner W. Clopton, Hewlitt, Thrower and others, came as voices in the night, clear and strong, arousing

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God's militant hosts and leading to victory. These powerful levers were used from time to time, at every critical stage to lift the burden and spirit of the army. The year 1867 formed one of these critical epochs. The heavens were covered in darkness; death and deso lation enshrouded the Southland; depression and bitter ness seized upon the strongest, at least to some degree; the Civil War had wrought its fearful work. There was a North and a South but no Union in spirit. The Southern men did not care to unite with the Northern men even in fighting a common foe; this feeling was reciprocated by the North. Thus the temperance ranks vvho had fought together so valiantly and with broth erly kindness prior to the war now stood apart.
In the meantime some of the most brilliant minds \vere deteriorating under the deadly poison of alcohol, everywhere drinking, and in consequence a laxity of morals was in evidence. The North and the South, tha East and the West were in sackcloth and ashes; a cry went out for help. God heard it and answered, not bj* calling an army of mighty men, but holy women to unite the scattered and embittered forces. The "Good Templars" first opened their doors to the gentle knock of these suffering wives and mothers. With love, tenderness, patience and wondrous persuasion, they quickened their brothers' pulse, inspired their faith, and with this union of effort the temperance ranks began to breathe again.
In 1873 a more definite call came to the women of America and the world through Dr. Dio Lewis, of Boston. Under his irresistible appeal, baptized with

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the Holy Spirit, the women of Hillsboro, Washington Court House and other Illinois and Ohio towns, gath ered in the streets, and marched two by two, into the saloons and besought the saloon keepers, with prayer and tears, to give up their destroying business. A noble son of one of these crusade mothers once told the writer that he never expected to look upon a more moving scene than this great company of holy women kneeling on the snow in front of an Ohio saloon praying God to so bless the saloon keeper as to cause him to close his doors forever. They were in such agony of spirit over the redemption of their husbands, sons and fathers from drink that like St. Simon Stylites they "battered the gates of heaven with storms of prayer," and God answered as by fire, closing two hundred and fifty saloons in fifty days! These brave heroines, led by Mrs. Eliza Thompson, of Hillsboro, "Mother" Stewart, of Springfield, Ohio, and Mrs. George Carpenter, of Washington Court House, came to see that legal suasion was as necessary as moral suasion, that it was needful to go to the root of the evil which was embedded in the very heart of the government.
In 1874, November, 18-20, at Cleveland, Ohio, this conviction developed into the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which was to be operated under a "Plan of Work," originated by its Corresponding Secretary, (Frances E. Willard), having fifteen subdivisions: "1. Organization, 2. Making Pub lic Sentiment, 3. Juvenile Temperance Societies, 4. The Pledge, 5. Unfermented Sacramental Wine, 6. AntiTreat Leagues, 7. Temperance Coffee Rooms, 8. Homes

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History of the

for Inebriate Women. 9. Reformed Mens' Club, 10. Bureau of Information, 11. Counter Attractions at Home. 12. Home Missionary Work, 13. Gospel Tem perance Meetings. 14. Money, 15. Trysting Time with God." Every state in the Union was canvassed and organized. The earnest men of the "Good Templars" Gj.<>ned the way for organization in many of the states, nr.iong them Georgia. In 1880 they invited "Mother" Sl.'vart. of Springfield. Ohio, to come to Atlanta and i plerlained her as only Southern chivalry can. On April 20th. 1880, in the basement of the Trinity Methodist Church. Atlanta,Georgia's first local Woman's Christian T-. mperance Union was organized by this saintly vor.iar. of the Crusades. Miss Missouri H. Stokes, the first Secretary of the Georgia Woman's Christian Tem1 trance Union, and one of the truest, bravest and most indefatigable in labors the organization has known, gives an account of this Union in her history of the early work in Georgia. After stating the date and |:'^ce of organization, she says: "Mrs. Alfred H. Colquitt. wife of Governor Colquitt, was elected President, br,i declined to serve, she, however, proffered the use of the parlors of the Executive Mansion as a place of meeting for the Union. There being no acting Presi dent, the Union was served during its first year by its Vice-Presidents--Mrs. A. C. Kiddo, Mrs. Jonathan Norcross, Mrs. J. G. Thrower, Mrs. A. P. Wells, and Mrs. Man.- E. Howes. Mrs. E. M. Hammond was elected Secretary, and Mrs. W. R. Hammond, Treasurer. Dur ing the first fewmonths the meetings werealmost wholly devotional. The members felt most keenly their utter

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insufficiency, but as they prayed, God led the way. Just prior to the Holidays, in 1880, a committee was commis sioned by the Union to visit the clergy of the city, and request them to read from their pulpits a pledge obli gating all who signed it, not to offer intoxicating drinks to visitors or callers during Christmas. The request was granted by nearly all of the ministers and many signatures obtained. About the middle of February, 1881, the Union appealed to the pastors of the city to hold a series of Gospel Temperance Meetings. The ministry cheerfully responded, as they always do, to every holy movement. The first of the series was held by Rev. Clement A. Evans, Ex-Confederate General, and at that time pastor of the First Methodist Church in Atlanta. These meetings continued at intervals until nine had been held successfully under the following pastorates: Rev. W. F. Robinson, at Sixth Street Methodist; Rev. Virgil Norcross, at Fifth Baptist; Rev. W. C. Dunlap, at St. Paul Methodist; Rev. Hughes, at Payne's Chapel Methodist; Rev. J. R. Cooke, Marietta Street Methodist; Rev. H. C. Christia, Evan's Chapel Methodist; Rev. J. C. Berrien, Protestant Methodist, and Rev. G. A. Nunally at Second Baptist. These services were largely attended, impressive and effective. They marked the first permanent uplift given the temper ance cause in Atlanta by the Union. The clear, strong presentation of the teachings of the Scriptures on the temperance question brought an arrest of thought and wonderfully quickened the interest of apparently all who came under their influence.

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"On the 10th of February, 1881, at the request of Judge John C. Cunningham, the Union adopted a reso lution asking that the Georgia Legislature be at its next session memorialized to pass a General Local Option Law, allowing the qualified voters of the State to decide by ballot whether they will prohibit the sale of intoxicat ing liquors except for medicinal, mechanical, and sacra mental purposes, in their several localities. At the next meeting the resolution was adopted and the Union pledged to send copies of the petition to every com munity in the State. The text of the petition was as follows:
"In view of the misery, poverty and crime, resulting from intemperance we, the undersigned citizens of the State of Georgia, residing in the County of ------------ do most earnestly petition you in favor of the passage of a law allowing the qualified voters of the cities, towns, counties and militia districts, at any election held therein, (except in the localities where the sale of intoxicating liquors is already prohibited by law), to decide by ballot whether they will prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal, mechanical, and sacramental purposes, in their several localities."
Between six and seven thousand of these petitions were sent out by the Atlanta Union. As they went they were made holy by the prayers of every White Ribbon mother and daughter in the Union. Through earnest and concerted action on the part of the "Good Temp lars," the clergy, the press and hundreds of devoted men and women throughout the State, 37,000 signatures were obtained in the short space of three months! In

MISS MISSOURI H. STOKES. of Decatur, Ga.
State Corresponding Secretary of the Georgia W. C. T. U. 1883-1892.
^
I

Georgia W. C. T. V.

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the canvass it was found that the white voters of many counties stood solidly for prohibition and were eager for the opportunity of voting on the question. Under this rising tide of temperance sentiment the Union felt the force of Brutus' words to Cassius:

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries, On such a full sea are we now afloat; We must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures."

Having this conviction, though in poverty and few in numbers the Atlanta Union wrote Frances E Willard, President of the National Woman's Christian Temper ance Union, the situation and invited her to come to the rescue. Who that knew Frances E. Willard doubts that she came, not only as a woman pleading for the lost and erring, but as a queen of grace and purity, as the incarnation of delicacy and refinement, as the em bodying of all the high ideals for centuries held by the South touching woman's relation to the outside world. Graceful in bearing, gentle in spirit, with musical voice and filled with the love of Christ, is there wonder that such a woman should be "received with enthusiasm?" She was assigned to elegant apartments at the Kimball House and entertained at the Governor's Mansion. Of her reception Miss Willard says:
"I spoke on Sunday evening at the Methodist Church, to which Governor Colquitt belonged, and was wel comed by him with a warm eloquence not excelled by

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any greeting I have received. He spoke of the North and the South and of the claim that had been made that nothing could unite them except a foreign war in xvhich they would make a common cause against a common invader. 'But,' he said, *we need no such calamity to make us once more one people; there is a foe at every hearthstone, a danger lurking in every community, which ought to make us brothers. Uniting we can put the liquor traffic down, one? we will put it down. The women must help us; they are willing to do so; they are to be our best allies.' Then turning to me. a Northern stranger as I was, and with all a broth er's kindness he welcomed me to Georgia and thanked me that I had come."
Only those who understand Southern chivalry, glorified by the strength and purity of a consecrated manhood, can fully appreciate the warmth and gracio'Jsness of Governor Colquitt's cordiality to this queen among \vomen. Miss Willard's modesty restrains her from any reference to the work she did while in Atlanta, but from another's pen we learn that though three days only in the city, she spoke eight times to im mense crowds, at Marietta Street Methodist Church, Trinity Methodist Church and at DeGive's Opera House. Her copious knowledge of historical facts touching the principles which must support a stable government, showing how the nations of the past who turned away from truth and righteousness went down in darkness, her invincible logic proving that the foundations of a Commonwealth must be laid upon morality to be endur ing, powerfully appealed to her hearers. With strong

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intellectual equipment, womanly graciousness and Christly spirit she became a benediction to the cause wherever she went in Georgia. She was a "chosen vessel" to break the bonds of prejudice against woman's larger activities, her gentle, persuasive eloquence, inherent modesty and native tactfulness, together with the unmistakable evidence that God was leading and empowering her to do His work, marked her as the one woman to open the way in the South. Men and women alike witnessed the seal of God's approval rested upon her labors, that the platform did not rob her of the tender grace which characterizes the highest type of womanhood, that women were capable of creating a logical argument against the tyranny of the liquor traf fic; that as Governor Colquitt said prophetically, "The women are to be our best allies." It is seen therefore, that Miss Willard's arraignment of the liquor traffic was but a small part of her work in Georgia and elsewhere; as she went from place to place she began to be recog nized as the daughter of a new chivalry, and the noble men of the South and East where there existed such great prejudice against women appearing in public, began to see that a gallantry that only protected their wives and mothers from public glare was not of the highest order, the men of heathen lands stood at the head of such an ideal as that. They saw that the noblest knighthood was to break every yoke and open the prison door to every captive, and instead of hinder ing or forbidding they must invite the help of their sisters in the consummation of so holy a mission.

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After Miss Willard's first visit to Georgia the women were less fearful in undertaking public work. Those who had never heard their own voices in a public assemblage except perhaps in a brief testimony in a Methodist "love feast," found themselves speaking before mixed audiences. It was not so much the example set by Frances Willard, however, as a con sciousness of duty. It was a "still small voice" calling all women to join their brothers in the protection of the Home, a call so irresistible that many felt "woe is me" if I refuse obedience. In answer to this commis sion, a number of the most faithful the organization has known, came into the Union and joined hands with the work of circulating the Local Option Petition. Under the leadership of Mrs. Jonathan Norcross, Mrs. M. E. Howes, Mrs. A. C. Kiddo, Mrs. S. M. Hammond, Mrs. A. P. Wells, Mrs. H. A. Auten, Mrs. S. A. Kilby, Mrs. E. C. Witter and Miss Stokes, hundreds of petitions were sent out to every section of the State, and every street in the city was canvassed to secure signatures. In addition to the work for the petition, vast quanti ties of temperance literature was distributed by hand, and placed in boxes at different centers in the city. At the meeting of the Legislature each member was sup plied with literature proving it to be the wish of the people of Georgia to have the right given them by the General Assembly to vote on the liquor question as set forth in the Petition.
As the temperance men of the State had from the first recognized the power of woman's influence in the cause and had so gallantly opened the way at every junction,

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in line with their former actions, on July 4th, 1881, the State Temperance Convention held in the Capitol invited the members of the Union to attend in a body, which they gladly did and were received with marked courtesy and represented in a fervent address by Judge D. Cunningham.
While the infant Union in Atlanta was working so diligently for the passage of the Local Option Bill, Savannah, under the leadership of Mrs. Charles P. Greene, Augusta under Mrs. William C. Sibley, Rome under Mrs. Mary Shropshire and Mrs. W. W. Ford, were through their Unions, laboring also "in season and out of season" to the same end. As a recompense of the faithful toil on the part of the Unions at the different points named, the first Red Letter Day of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union dawned July 14th, 1881. It was the day the Local Option Bill was to be pre sented to the Georgia Legislature by that princely noble man, Colonel William J. Northen, of Hancock County. The Unions throughout the State had chosen him as their representative to present the memorial and address to the House of Representatives, both because of his vigorous temperance principles and his stainless Christian character. The galleries had been filled with White Ribboners long before the hour, who sat with fast beating hearts in fervent prayer that God would speak through their ambassador to the conscience of every member of the House. As Colonel Northen arose he said: "Mr. President and Members of the House of Representatives: I move to suspend the rules that I may submit a memorial of no ordinary interest. I am

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aware that it is an unusual proceeding, but am sure it will be received with pleasure. I hold before me (raising the memorial), the evidence of the work of the Christian women of Georgia. While we have been trying to build up the material resources of the State they have gone into our homes and found ruin and sorrow-- strong men found humbled, young men with brilliant intellects and high hopes wrecked before life's morn ing is passed; little ones crying! God pity us in our desolation. For such women--our wives and mothers --can we speak too much? They come to bring joy where there has been sorrow, they come to bring sun shine where there has been darkness, they come as the harbingers of the day when the angels shall again proclaim peace and good will to man. I move that by a rising vote the rules of the House be suspended, that this memorial for a General Local Option Law may be' displayed, and then referred to the Special Committee on Temperance." The memorial was sent up in a large basket from which it was unfurled, filling every aisle, and leaving a sufficiency to cover a good sized room. It was sixteen hundred feet long and contained 30.000 names from every county in the State. The following day the petition was presented to the Senate in an impassioned speech by Colonel W. P. Price, of Dahlonega. The Union was present in full force and during Colonel Price's address, showered boquets upon him from the gallery. It was referred to a special committee and at that session of 1881 passed the Senate
but was defeated in the House.

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The failure to secure the enactment of the Local Option Bill was the first great trial of the Union. The forces were sifted, "many walked with them no more," the occasion of stumbling had come, God had trusted them to do a difficult task and they had failed. In the glare of glory and prospective success, they stood by their colors, but when defeat with its humiliation, criti cisms, and misjudgments came, they lowered the flag and fell back before the enemy. After that the chaff was separated from the wheat, the few golden grains that were found with its marvelous reproducing power, was rich reward for every effort which had been put forth. The "faithful few" came forth "refined gold," their "souls had been washed pure by many weepings." In poverty, wellnigh friendless, misunderstood, they gathered in that "upper room" on Whitehall Street, made sacred by God's presence, for counsel and prayer. As they knelt around the mercy seat a deepened con viction took hold of them that something had to be done to stay the tide of intemperance, especially in Atlanta, where wickedness seemed to be growing with its growth engulfing even beardless boys in its ruin. They were "led by ways they had not known." In March of 1882, under the direction of Mrs. H. A. Auten, they established a Mission Temperance Sunday School, at Engine House No. 5, near the junction of Marietta and Foundry Streets--a locality known as Brooklyn, and regarded from the number of bar rooms, as one of the worst places in Atlanta. In a short time there after, the Union began to hold a series of gospel tem perance meetings. Such was the interest created that

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History of the

the house would not seat the crowds and the Sunday School was transferred to the Red Men's Hall on Marietta Street just over a liquor saloon. The poor and degraded classes began to be reached and it seemed that God was guiding them to the very men and women whom they had so longed to help when they were courteously informed that they must discontinue their meetings by reason of the fact that they interfered with the business of the saloon. The saloon keeper declared that he could not "sell hell and damnation below while those women were singing and praying above." As he had rented the property he claimed that he had a right to be heard. The faithful praying band returned to the Engine House and continued their noble work for three years. During that period seed were sown which yielded a harvest unto eternal life. This was an epoch making hour in the history of the Atlanta Union. By every token Satan endeavored to break their ranks. But a few determined spirits, notabh' Mrs. A. H. Auten, Mrs. E. C. Witter and Miss M. H. Stokes, went through heat and cold, driven from one point, they sought another; the consuming love of Christ for lost souls so pervaded them that they forgot their timidity and plead with the erring with tearful eves and burning hearts, they "counted all things but lost for the excellency of Christ Jesus their Lord." In the heavens above these uncrowned queens of God's Kingdom will shine as stars forever and ever.
During the spring and summer of 1882, the Union arranged for a series of public lectures to be given by the representative men and women in the temperance

MRS. E. C. WITTER. President of the Atlanta W. C. T. U. (the old original Union)
1882-1902.

Georgia W. C. T. U.

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cause. United and persistent effort was put forth to secure the best. The first of the series was held in the Marietta Street Methodist Church and addressed by Governor Colquitt and Dr. Alien Curr. Great power and enthusiasm rested upon the service. This meeting was followed by many others of unusual interest at different points in the city. Bishop Warren, of the Northern Methodist Church, J. N. Stearns, of the Na tional Temperance Society, and Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, of South Carolina, and Superintendent of Southern Work for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, all came "in power and demonstration of the Spirit." Many others less notable, but not less earnest, spake as the Spirit gave utterance, among them was Rev. J. R. Cooke, Miss Mary Wadsworth, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. McClellan Brown and Mrs. J. N. Thompson.
In the summer of 1882 the Union was requested by the State Temperance Alliance to again aid in securing signatures to a petition for a General Local Option Law to be presented to the Legislature at its approach ing session in November. As in the first instance, they responded with eager hearts and willing hands. The city was divided into districts and so assiduously did they labor that several thousand names were secured in a few weeks.
On November 25th, 1882, the State Liquor Dealers Protective Association met in Atlanta. As they gathered to plan for the strengthening of their traffic, which is the greatest enemy of the Home, these wives, mothers and daughters gathered also to pray that God might bring their counsel to naught. Miss Stokes, our early

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historian, declares that a direct answer to their prayers was received in the "Contradictory resolutions passed by their Association." The weapons of these women were not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pull ing down of strongholds! That little unknown, poor, struggling Union, had not called upon God in vain as they, after the defeat of the Local Option Bill, went to the "upper room" for guidance. Bishop Warren, in the prime of his great manhood, was sent to their rescue with a masterful utterance; Governor Colquitt came with a flaming sword against the liquor traffic, and Sallie F. Chapin, that queenly woman of the South, or perhaps we should rather say, that mighty Deborah of modern times, who swayed the multitudes with the convincing power of her eloquent logic. These, with others, earnest and strong, came to blaze the way for State Prohibition.
Here ends the golden record of the first work of the first local Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Georgia. It is only partially recorded, the sum total will not be known until it is read from the Book of Life.

CHAPTER III.
GOD S CALL TO WOMEN--STATE ORGANIZATION--FIRST CON VENTION MEETS IN ATLANTA JANUARY llTH, 1883, MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, PRESIDENT--FRANCES E. WILLARD AND MRS. SALLIE F. CHAPIN ARE THE SPEAKERS--LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS CONTINUE BUT BILL DEFEATED A SECOND TIME-- SECOND GEORGIA W. C. T. U. CONVENTION AT AUGUSTA IN 1884.
Behold I set before thee an open door. --Rev. 3:8.
Nowhere in history is the hand of God more clearly seen than in the movements which gradually brought about woman's development. Christ first unlocked the doors which held her captive to ignorance and super stition. Schools and colleges were founded for her training, inventions were made which gave her leisure; as in the case of the sewing machine, cotton gin, and cotton factory. Almost immediately following these conditions came a demand for her distinctive gifts as teacher in sacred and secular schools, in missionary work at home and abroad. It was seen that a great system of education needed to be established which would begin at the very foundations of character in the mind of the child. This was a clear call to women. Their native endowments, with years of mental train ing, qualified them as no other to perform this all im portant duty. As Julienne Hayes, of Baltimore, Mary-

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land, saw this door of unlimited usefulness standing ajar, she offered herself as a leader of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and which, through thirty years, sowed the seed for the great harvest which we are now reaping in the Laymen's Missionary Movement. When Frances Willard about the same time saw how all temperance organizations had failed to a large extent because of a lack of preventive measures, she was led to formulate a "Plan of Work" which has revo lutionized the thought of the world on the subject of temperance, and developed the most invincible set of men touching prohibitory law known to history--the Anti-Saloon League.
While God was calling leaders among women for these and other great enterprises, He was at the same time moving the hearts of all Christian women to pre sent themselves for service. Thus a two-fold influence was brought to bear--the calling of some to lead and the calling of many to follow. This was ever the Divine method. As Peter was given a vision of duty, Corne lius was at the same hour commanded to send for Peter. As Frances Willard was led to visit the States and organize the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Spirit suggested to the mind of many Chris tian women throughout the United States the need of concerted action on the part of the women against the liquor traffic. This is the true explanation of Miss Willard's warm reception in the conservative South. Had not God gone before, she nor any other human being could have induced the timid, reticent women of Georgia and other Southern States, with their precon-

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53

ceived ideas of woman's sphere, to have left their homes and engaged in a work which called for public activity. God spoke and they obeyed. In a letter written by Miss Willard to the New York Independent, on April 21st, 1881, a year prior to the State organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Georgia, she gives a vivid pen picture of her Southern reception in which it is manifest that the bond of sisterhood had sprung up even though they had not seen her face. "The Southern people," says she, "have received me as a sister, beloved for the work's sake. The utter most kindness has been shown me by the friends of temperance, a cordial co-operation from the most lib eral minded of the clergy, and on the part of the women, a sisterly welcome that crowns each day with thanks giving and crowds friendship's casket with choicest jewels. It has been said that the opposition in the South to hearing ladies speak was deep and resolute. This is not so. Churches as a rule were opened no less frequently than at the North. Ministers of the differ ent denominations conducted the devotional services, and the audiences were large and to the last degree kind. Whenever members were called for and papers circulated with the pledge for men and women, the response Avas much more general than with us. It had been said that the expectation of securing associated effort on the temperance line from Southern women was quite Utopian; but instead of this they have been uniformly earnest and responsive, beyond what is usual in the North. True they have given immediate notice that they could not speak in public, which is the

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smallest part of the work; but at the same time have entered in with the utmost intelligence and heartiness into our plans of securing pledges, lending out of tem perance books, planning for public meetings to be addressed by gentlemen, etc. When I have noticed the marvelous facility for utterance, the delicacy of appre ciation, the varied vocabulary, and rare insight of these ladies, I have felt that in it all there is a prophecy of such achievement in the art of public as well as private persuasion as would dim the laurels of their Northern sisters if a sacred emulation did not rescue us. I could name ladies in all of the chief cities of the South who are no less worthy to become leaders of their people than was Deborah of old."
Two years later when the State work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in Georgia, Frances Willard's prophecy became a veritable reality. Those who witnessed the ease, gentleness of manner, sweetness of spirit, and power of utterance which char acterized the first President of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union--Mrs. William C. Sibley, will readily agree that God had set her apart as a leader of her people. She was a providential woman peculiarly endowed with the qualifications-which that stage of the work demanded. A woman of less gentle ness, less grace, less delicacy, less softness of voice, and the graciousness of bearing, less devoted to her home and children, would have failed utterly to enlist Southern men and especially Southern women. She was typical of the South's high ideals, governed by a tenderness and modesty that became the charm of all

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she said and did. We remember as if it were yester day, the first Convention over which she presided. As she gave her annual message with trembling, yet admir ably modulated voice, standing before her hearers the embodiment of humility, the living expression of earnestness, all hearts instinctively felt that God had anointed her for this special ministry. Her character contained no jarring elements; a nature of tactfulness, a noble unselfishness, a consuming zeal, a fluency of speech in speaking and in writing, together with the attributes of the highest type of womanhood made her a leader of superior excellence. Miss Willard, with her quick discernment and wonderful ability in adjusting women to work, at once perceived Mrs. Sibley's pre eminent fitness for leadership. In 1881 she invited Mrs. Sibleyand Miss Missouri H. Stokes to attend the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union which convened at Washingtoji City, as representatives of Georgia's interests. They were received not only with distin guished courtesy, but v/ith affection by the entire Con vention. There Mrs. W. C. Sibley, the first President of the Georgia Union, and Miss Missouri H. Stokes, the first Corresponding Secretary, came in vital touch with the work at large. Inspired by its beneficent principles, and Christly aims, they each returned more fixed in purpose to press the battle in Georgia through the Local Unions. As has been shown in a previous chapter, the following year reaped a rich harvest in the growth of temperance sentiment, in enlarged membership of the local Unions of Atlanta, Augusta, Rome, Savannah, and Macon. -

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In October of 1881 the National Convention came South, holding its session in Louisville, Kentucky. Because of its close proximity and because of Georgia's increased interest, the delegation was doubled in num ber, being composed of Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Miss Lillian Russell, of the Augusta Union, Miss M. H. Stokes and Mrs. E. C. Witter, of the Atlanta Union. By this time Georgia was on the forward march and felt the need of state organization. In answer to this need Mrs. W. C. Siblej' was appointed Provisional President with the power to call a Convention. Immediately upon her return with the Crusade faith, she set to work to so adjust the machinery, meager as it was, to secure the attendance of a large delegation from the various local Unions, representative business men and influential ministers of all the different denominations. God's plans, like lilies pure and white, unfolded in her hands as she followed His leadings step by step. On January llth, 1883, the body came together and the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in the basement of the First Methodist Church in Atlan ta. A large delegation from the Unions of Savannah, Augusta and Rome, fraternal delegates from other tem perance societies, and a number of God's faithful min isters, together with the presence of Miss Willard and Mrs. Sallie F.Chapin,of South Carolina, formed a group that was sufficient to put to flight the armies of the alien. Their very looks were prayers; they had counted the cost and deliberately settled the question forever; to or ganize, to educate, and agitate against the liquor traffic until Georgia was free. Rev. Clement A. Evans, Pastor

RESIDENCE OF MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY AT AUGUSTA, GA. In Which Miss Willard was Entertained in 1883. Miss Willard Occupied the Room on
the Second Floor at the Left.

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of the Church and Ex-Confederate General, conducted the devotional exercises and introduced the speakers. Addresses of welcome were made by Judge George Lester, and Rev. Henry McDonald, of the Second Bap tist Church, followed with responses by Miss Willard, Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Rev. G. A. Nunnally. Juvenile work, the only department hitherto inaugurated, was reported by Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Mrs. Richard Webb, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. Mary Shropshire and Mrs. J. C. Keyes. Wenona Temple, ofAtlanta, was reported by Mrs. J. C. Thrower, of the Good Templars.
The following State officers were unanimously elected: President, Mrs. W. C. Sibley, of Augusta; Vice-President-at-Large, Mrs. Mary Shropshire, of Rome; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Missouri H. Stokes, of Atlanta; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Lawrence Lord; Treasurer, Mrs. M. E. McCalla; Librarian, Mrs. E. C. Witter; State Organizer, Mrs. Nannie Robb; Super intendent of Juvenile Work, Mrs. Richard Webb. Of this Convention Miss Willard says: "I attended and helped to organize the first Convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia, with Mrs. W. C. Sibley at the helm, and Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, your heroic Southern leader, lay way of general inspiration. This was a great novelty, being so far as I have learned, the first State meeting held and conducted by ladies. Naturally enough, (she here refers to Southern oppo sition to women speaking in public) the people were a little shy of it at first, but soon they attended in large numbers and found that they had nothing to fear by reason of short-haired women for there were none

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present, nor platform ranters for the meeting was as mild mannered and almost as mild voiced as if it had been held in a parlor. The ladies who had never spoken in public before were distinctly heard because of their admirable enunciation and rich Southern voices. They stood there to say what they had to say with modest self composure, and most convincing argu ments. Their style was conversational, not declama tory, and their spirit the spirit of the home. I shall never forget Mrs. W. C. Sibley who had come forward to take the collection; she was so bright and winsome in manner and words. Among other sentences I especially recall this one: "If you will help us dear friends, we will be very grateful indeed, and we need it, but if no one will help, so largely is my heart enlisted for the State, and for the protection of our homes from the curse of the saloon, that I will stand and plead for Georgia though I stand alone." Such a spirit could not fail to win.
From this convention Miss Willard went, upon the invitation of Bishop Haygood, the President of Emory College, to Oxford and organized a Union with Mrs. Scomp, wife of Professor Henry A. Scomp, at that time filling the chair of Ancient Languages in Emory College, as President. She addressed a large audience includ ing the faculty and student body of Emory College and offered a prize through the Union of ten dollars to the student who prepared the best essay on "The Relation of the Individual to the Temperance Cause." This farseeing woman recognized the potency of institutions of learning in the formation of public opinion. The

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offering of that prize, which the Oxford Union has con tinued through all of these years, has proved to be one of the most vitalizing temperance forces in the State. The research which essentially preceded the prepara tion of these numerous essays, annually sowed the seed for hundreds of votes for prohibition in the years fol lowing and fortified this noble company of Georgia's sons against the exceeding danger of tampering in the least, with alcohol poison.*
From Oxford Miss Willard went to Macon and reorganized the Union, thence to Columbus where she organized a large Union with Mrs. Mann, wife of Dr. A. T. Mann, at that time one of the strongest preachers in the South Georgia Conference, as President. She also gave lectures at every point, wherever it was possible, to the colored people, who "were ready and respon sive."
There was a marked increase, both in the number of
Unions and in the activity of their membership this first year of State work. The mails at every point carried the best literature, with soul-stirring letters from Mrs.
Sibley, the President, and Miss Stokes, the Correspond ing Secretary. Abundant in labors they left no stone unturned, the children were organized into Bands of Hope, the colored people were instructed, special
*It was at this time that Mrs. John S. Moore joined the W. C. T. U. and not only became a local leader but was for many years the State Treasurer. When there came times of difficulty, oppo sition and discouragement to the whole State and especially to the Oxford W. C. T. U., Mrs. Moore stood firm, and persistently, bravely, faithfully went forward in the work. Her name can truly be placed prominently in the list of "Saints Courageous" of the Georgia W. C. T. U.--[Editor.]

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prayer services were held for counties that were about to vote on prohibition, hundreds of copies of Plans and Principles of the Woman's Christian Tem perance Union were sent out to the Christian women of Georgia, the press of the State was freely used to adver tise the object and aims of the organization. State and National Legislatures were petitioned to pass prohibi tory measures. Unions were organized by Mrs. Nannie Robb. the State Organizer, at Barnesvillc, Sunny Side, Martin's Chapel. Lawrenccvillc, Gainesville, Ellijay, Mt. Zion. Habcrsham County and Hoschton. Unions were also formed at Trenton, Calhoun and Hamilton; the last named by Colonel James M. Mobley, of that place. Upon the resignation of Mrs. Robb, Miss Stokes, the Corresponding Secretary visited the Unions of Ringgold, Greshamville, Greensboro, Columbus, Hamilton, ChipIcy. Martin's Chapel, Mt. Zion and Ellijay and organized Unions at Madison, Longview, Clarksville and Norcross. She also wrote four annual reports of State work for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church South, and the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, at his own request. As an immediate result of the two first reports the Conference namedpassed resolutions endorsing the organization, and pledging their support.
When it is known that all of this work had been accomplished by these noble women, with an empty treasury, we will get some small conception of their unselfish devotion to the cause. Miss Stokes states in

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her first annual report, that from January llth to October 8th, only $121.88 had been paid into the treas ury of State work. How was it done? From the purses of the faithful officers, who laid all upon the altar. By their side we see standing, in humble attitude, one of Georgia's brave sons, the incarnation of unselfishness, a type of the highest and holiest patriotism--William C. Siblcy, of Augusta. He not only encouraged his wife to devote her time and talents to the redemption of Georgia's homes, but with open purse laid bare his means to further the movement. He is to-day enshrined in the heart of every true mother within the borders of our fair State, who will teach their children to rever ence the name of one so consecrated to the loftiest philanthropy--the protection of the fireside.
During the summer of 1883, when the General Local Option Bill again came before the Legislature, the Unions throughout the State not only watched its pro gress with prayerful interest, but some of the members were in the House of Representatives when, on August 7th, it came up for passage and was carried. It was, however, defeated in the Senate notwithstanding the untiring efforts of its ardent champion, Hon. R. C. Pringle, author of the Bill and Chairman of the Tem perance Committee in the House.
The second Annual Convention of the Woman's Chris tian Temperance Union was held in the Lecture Room of the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, January 24-25, 1884. Mrs. William C. Sibley, President of the local Union and President of the State Union, drew lavishly upon her large powers and consecrated zeal

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in preparing the way for this to be a memorable occa

sion. At her invitation the attendance of many influen

tial ministers of different denominations, and noted

temperance workers of other states, together with a full

corps of home workers was secured. Her elegant and

hospitable home was filled with delegates and its very

atmosphere was permeated with the spirit of praise

and thanksgiving that the God of Israel had thus far led

His own people in an organized crusade of education

against the saloon. Mrs. Sibley was queen alike in the

home and on the platform, instructing and inspiring the

delegates at every turn. Brought up under the old

regime when it was counted unnecessary for women to

have knowledge of parliamentary law, she yet handled

the convention with a skill that would have reflected

credit upon any parliamentarian. Her fairness in

ruling, graciousness and gentleness, together with a

readiness of fitting words at every juncture, and above

all her implicit reliance upon God for guidance, united

to make her one of the most effective presiding officers

known to the organization. And can anjr who were

present forget the faithfulness, earnestness and intelli

gent aggressiveness of our indefatigable first Corres

ponding Secretary, Miss Missouri Stokes? Her spirit

seemed fired by a holy enthusiasm and a deathless

determination to rescue Georgia from the thralldom

',

of the liquor traffic. And there stood the gentle Mrs.

I

Witter, her face aglow with love and fervor; and

the saintly Mrs. M. S. A. Webb, in the very lines of

whose countenance we could read child-like faith in

God and a pledge to His service as deep as her nature;

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and there was Mrs. E. E. Harper, who had glorified the prisons and jails of Atlanta by carrying into their dark cells the light of the Sun of Righteousness; and the blessed Mrs. J. C. Keyes, sounding a ringing note of victory that was to come to Georgia through the instruc tion of the children of the public schools on the nature and effects of alcohol upon the human system; and Mrs. Grigsby Thomas of holy memory, pleading for the Sunday school instruction on this same important point; and the brilliant Miss Lillian Russell who was pour ing out the gifts of youth upon this sacred altar, and many others of wondrous strength and dauntless courage stand before our mental vision charged with the spirit of Tennyson's intrepid army who were ready "to do and to die!"
The most notable features of this Convention, Miss Stokes tells us, were the stress laid upon the temperance instruction in the day schools and Bands of Hope, (this organization corresponds to our present Loyal Temperance Legion), and a pronounced disapproval of morphine and alcohol as remedial agents. A resolu tion was adopted to petition the Legislature not to send juvenile offenders to jail or prisons. A strong paper setting forth the reasons for scientific instruction being given in the public schools, was read by the Superintendent of that Department, Mrs. J. C. Keyes, of Atlanta. A comprehensive and thrilling report was given by Miss Stokes from Mrs. E. E. Harper, of Atlanta, embracing a review of her ministry in that branch of the work from August 19th to December 31st, 1883.

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The Principles, Plans, and Resolutions adopted were as follows:
PJUXCIPLES--We believe in prohibition by law and total abstinence by practice, but recognizing the frailty and weakness of human nature, we only hope to accom plish these by the power of God's sustaining grace, relying upon prayer, study of the Scriptures and earnest effort. _ELAXS---1st. Preventive--including heredity, which shows the close relation of natal inheritance to the terrible appetite for liquor; hygiene, teaching in addi tion to, and explanatory of divine law, the rule of health as formulated by medical science, which incul cates the great importance of temperate habits.
2nd. Educational--embracing scientific instruction, temperance literature, influencing the press, relative statistics, conference with ecclesiastical, Sunday school, educational and other associations; juvenile work, including temperance schools, Bands of Hope, training and industrial schools.
3rd. Evangelistic--embodying prison and jail work, work among railroad employees; securing the use of unfcrmented wine at the Lord's table; securing days of prayer and weeks of prayer; Bible readings; and work among the colored people.
4th. Social--as young woman's work, parlor meet ings, flower mission, and state and county fairs.
RESOLUTIONS--Whereas, we believe that the legalized manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors is an inex pressible evil, and a National shame; Resolved, that we, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Geor-

MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, OF AUGUSTA. First President of the Georgia W. C. T. U.

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gia, do earnestly appeal to all Christians to aid us in our efforts, by legislative enactment and otherwise to banish the accursed thing from our State and nation.
2nd. That we invoke the assistance of all temper ance organizations in petitioning our Legislature for prohibitory laws, and that we never cease our efforts until Georgia is a prohibition state.
3rd. That we petition the officers of the state and county fairs to discourage the manufacture of intox icants, by offering no premiums for wines and liquors.
4th. That as intemperance is recognized as the greatest obstacle to the progress of the Gospel, and to the coming of the Lord's kingdom, we earnestly entreat all Christian ministers to bring this subject often to the attention of their congregations and invite their per sonal influence in all laudable efforts to banish this great evil of intemperance.
5th. That as early impressions are the most lasting, and it is easier and wiser to form than to reform, we ask the co-operation of all who have the training of children to aid us in teaching them the advantages, physical, mental and spiritual of temperance; and the inevitable moral and physical evils resulting from intemperate habits.
6th. That recognizing the great power of the press, and the essential importance of temperance papers, we most heartily recommend to the members of the W. C. T. U. and to the public at large, our national organ, The Union Signal, published at Chicago, and The Peoples Advocate, published in Atlanta, Ga.
(6)

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These principles, plans and resolutions were drafted by Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Mrs. E. E. Harper, Mrs. Young J. Alien, wife of Rev. Young J. Alien, of the Southern Methodist Church and a missionary to China for more than fifty years, Mrs. J. C. Keyes, Mrs. Richard Webb, Mrs. E. C. Witter and Mrs. W. T. Wheless.
During the closing session of the Convention, Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, Superintendent of Southern work for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and one of the most eloquent speakers among women America has produced, came in on her way home from an extended tour of organizing. As she appeared upon the platform there was a storm of applause and waiv ing of handkerchiefs. Weary and dusty from travel, yet eager for the fight, she presented the front of a great warrior. With firmly set mouth, and piercing eyes her arraignment of the liquor traffic burned and glowed with the power of truth. In a perfect torrent of facts, she gave in a few moments a running history of legis lation proving the impossibility of regulating the traffic. At the close of a grand climax, she exclaimed: "My friends, you had just as well undertake to regulate the King of Perdition! The liquor traffic, like his satanic majesty, will not be regulated. The only effectual way to handle it is to cut off its head by legal prohibition and bury it forever." As she concluded in a fiery appeal to all temperance workers for renewed effort, pointing out that triumph would as surely follow as God reigned, the audience was deeply moved, some wept, others applauded, and all felt that every man, woman and child in that great assembly was fully com-

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mitted to the cause. This was the glorious culmination of the Second Convention of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union, small in numbers but great in purpose, great in the power of the Holy Spirit, great in absolute dependence each member felt upon God. Faith and humility, the joint armor of victory was written upon their foreheads. In the name of the Lord God of Hosts, they had set up their banners.

Holy mothers, wives and daughters! Before you now we stand uncovered, With all men whom you have brothered. Glory and honor to God above Who crowned you with such wondrous love!

CHAPTER IV.
SEED SOWING THROUGH DEPARTMENTS--TRAINING THE CHILDREN--PRISON WORK--WITH THE COLORED PEOPLE-- THIRD CONVENTION IN COLUMBUS IN 1885--MRS. SALUE
F. CHAPIN'S ELOQUENCE--WORK OF THE w. c. T. u. IN
COUNTY ELECTIONS FROM 1883 TO 1885--HOW FULTON COUNTY WENT DRY.
Get the truth once uttered and it is like A star--new-born that drops into its place,
And which, once circling in its placid round Not all the tumult of the earth can shake. --Lowell.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union being a preventive rather than a reformatory movement, the most of its early work was seed sowing. The clear visioned pioneers recognized the fact that if a great harvest was ever reaped the soil must be thoroughly prepared. They began where it was most fertile and promised the largest yield--in the minds of little, children. Even prior to the state organization the chief leaders operated this branch of work in every local Union. In 1883 Mrs. M. S. A. Webb, of Savannah, was elected Superintendent of the Juvenile Department and prosecuted it with a zeal unsurpassed. Earnestly and eloquently she plead for the children's enlistment, pointing out that their purity and innocence would disarm prejudice and enable them to plant the germ

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of truth in hearts which would reject it from the strongest man or the holiest woman. By letters and personal appeal she secured the formation of Bands of Hope wherever possible and the children were taught through Temperance Manuals prepared by the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the nature and effect of alcohol and other narcotics upon the human system, from a scientific point of view.
These teachings were based upon the highest medical authority in Europe and America. Here was the stronghold of this woman's movement. They claimed nothing of themselves, only presented the proof which came as a result of thirty years research on the part of the most eminent scientists. For a time these princi ples were regarded as extreme and the representatives of the organization were commonly termed "fanatics," but as the light revealed the facts through the various departments, many began to realize that the women were not mad, but only speaking "the words of truth and soberness." Under this misjudgment and lack of sympathy from the people at large, the early workers stood as immovable as a stone wall in the face of a storm. Conscious that the truth had waked in all of its majestic strength and held the golden key which opened the palace of purity and protection for Geor gia's sons and daughters, they met opposing forces with such commanding earnestness that they were left to pursue their course undisturbed by some of the severest critics.
Under these trying difficulties of the past which arose, not only from the prevalent thought that

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the organization was a progenitor of radical views on the temperance question, but was seeking a sphere of action outside of woman's realm, none was more serene in spirit and steadfast in devotion than the saintly Superintendent of the Juvenile Department, Mrs. M. S. A. Webb. When the waves of opposition would sweep with almost destructive fury on every hand, she would say, "Let us teach the children and when they grow up, all things will come right." She saw that the chil dren were instructed concerning alcoholic poison, not only through the text books, but through the ringing notes of militant music, written by Miss Anna Adams Gordon, of Auburndale, Massachusetts, at that time private secretary to Miss Willard- This gentle high priestess of childhood, in writing the temperance songs for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union through out the world, became to this organization what the poetic fire of Charles Wesley was to Methodism. While Illinois furnished the founder of the world's united Womanhood who proclaimed the gospel of total absti nence from the platform and through the press, let it never be forgotten that Massachusetts produced the founder of the world's united childhood which chanted the melody of purity and prohibition from shore to shore with the sweetness of a chorus fresh from the bosom of God! We shall never forget a moving picture of transcendent power at the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Atlanta in 1890. It was an evening hour in Trinity Methodist Church. A platform had been built which ran the full width of the building and extended about thirty feet front. Miss

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Gordon sat at the piano and played to march measures that song which makes the liquor traffic quake with fear--"Saloons, Saloons, Saloons, Must Go!" and more than three hundred children in the national colors came upon the platform bearing banners upon which were inscribed such mottoes as "Tremble King Alcohol for We Shall Grow Up!" "The Future is Ours!" "The Right Will Conquer!" and sang with rapturous enthusiasm, clapping their hands and waving their banners. Strong men wept amid a great deep hush, in which all felt that God was present giving pledge that they should be protected in the years to come from the curse of the liquor traffic as surely as He sat in majesty upon His throne! This scene was repeated upon a smaller scale in every city, town and hamlet where Bands of Hope were formed. Children became the messengers of the Most High in countless homes and led their parents into the light of truth touching the danger of alcoholic poison. Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, of Columbus, one of the most gifted and consecrated workers for children in the State, tells how a little five year old girl whose father made a practice of taking a toddy before breakfast each morning and giving it to his children, after she became a member of the Band of Hope and learned that alcohol injured the brain, told her father that she was unwilling to take it any longer. At first he laughed at her, but when she returned from the Temperance meeting each week with a fresh supply of reasons for her fears and gave them to him with the inimitable earnestness known only to a child, he at last decided with her that it was better

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to be on the safe side and became a total abstainer. A small boy of this same Band of Hope in Columbus was used of God to close one of the largest and most dreaded saloons in the city. These are only two of many instances which could be given where baby hands pointed the Way of Life and with the aid of the Holy Spirit transformed the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Notwithstanding the potency of the children's move ment, so vast were the proportions of the drink evil, and so multiform its victims, that it called for every possible agency to uproot it. It demanded a "do every thing policy," as Miss Willard aptly phrased it, that would convert the smallest and greatest forces into means of its overthrow, therefore the Departments were instituted which touched at wellnigh all points that led to the main line--Scientific Instruction in the Public Schools, and in the Sunday Schools, Prison and Jail Work, Relative Statistics, Unfennented Wine at the Sacrament, Work among Colored People, Influencing the Press, Flower Mission, Legislation and Petition, Health and Heredity, State and County Fairs, Work among Foreign Population, Social Purity, Work among Railroad Employees, and various other depart ments were adopted as means and laborers provided.
Perhaps none of these avenues of temperance educa tion sowed the seed for a great harvest more effectually than that of Influencing the Press under the super vision of the State President, Mrs. W. C. Sibley. Recog nizing the power of prejudice against the temperance cause, she directed her forces throughout the State to

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solicit a column in the daily and weekly papers to be edited by local superintendents of Press Work. In most cases the space was cheerfully granted, especially in the weekly papers. This counted largely in the spread of temperance truth particularly through the rural sections where the people at that time had but little to read outside of their county paper. In many instances they read the temperance column, not that they were in sympathy with the temperance reform, but because it was before them and they had nothing else to read. The wise editors used the finest common sense in stating the truth- It was put in pithy para graphs, clothed in simple language and characterized by a spirit of friendly persuasion that was irresistible.
Another Department of importance in preparing the soil for the reform was that of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Public Schools. While Georgia at that time had no law requiring her children taught the nature and effect of alcohol upon the human system, and while the physiologists gave but meager reference, if any, at this point, prior to 1870; yet in a few isolated cases the Union secured the co-operation of teachers and the truths as demonstrated by science were faith fully given. An illustration is found in the experience of a young lady teacher in Harris County in 1885. She had joined the Union through the deepest convictions of duty and had pledged to sow beside all waters. Being at the head of a school of about forty students, she resolved to give a daily temperance drill- The father of one of her pupils was a distiller, and when his son told him of the truths he was being taught touching

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alcohol as a poison, the father grew angry and told his son to tell the teacher that he was sent to school to learn "readin', writin', and 'rithmetic," not to be lectured on "temperance," that such instruction had to cease or he would take his boy from school. The wise teacher sent a kind note in reply giving assurance that his son would no longer be required to recite the temperance lesson. But the truth had already taken root in the mind of his bright boy and the father could never uproot it. For twenty years the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia thus sowed seed in this Department through sympathetic teachers. It was done as silently as the falling snow, and yet was in the minds of the generation who rceived it, as powerful as the forces of nature.
Another department which struggled into existence through manifold difficulties was that of Prison and Jail Work, under the Superintendency of Mrs. E. E. Harper, of Atlanta. Timid and reticent yet wholljr given to God this heroine of the Cross became a minis tering angel to minds darkened by sin and hands stained with blood. In her first report covering a little more than four months, a record is made that is suffi cient of itself to give the Woman's Christian Temper ance Union a place among the most beneficent influen ces. She distributed in prisons and convict camps 2,622 religious papers, 357 lesson books, 54 hymn books, 8 Bibles, 3 Testaments, 435 Tracts, 5 Sunday School books, 1,402 bouquets of flowers to which Scripture Texts were attached, a Thanksgiving dinner to 115 pris oners, made 35 visits to prisons, wrote 13 letters, and

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gave 26 Gospel talks- Under her earnest appeals at tended with the Holy Spirit, many came to a knowledge of Christ, and when their term of imprisonment was served they were not only free according to the law but were free from the bondage of sin. Numerous letters were received by Mrs. Harper from wives and mothers and even children overflowing with praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful change that had been wrought in their loved ones. A small boy sent a pic ture of himself with a letter to the "kind lady who made papa a good man." A little girl sent a shell saying, "I want to thank you for giving my papa a Bible, and tell you he loves to read it." On Flower Mission Day when Mrs. Harper carried hundreds of tiny boquets tied with the White Ribbon, and cards bearing Scripture Texts, distributing them to the prisoners, hearts were melted that never before seemed moved. After the usual Scripture lesson, talk, song and prayer, many came with earnest faces asking that their texts be explained. Through this medium the teaching of God's Word was lodged in the hearts of some who had never heard it proclaimed. As the searching light con tinued to be turned on by the hand of love and faith, darkened consciences began to see their condition and plead for pardon. Depraved prodigals "came to them selves and went back to their father's house." Mrs. Harper wrote the glad tidings to many wives and mothers whose broken hearts were made to sing with rapturous praise- Through the years which followed, messages bearing the testimony of faithfulness on the part of ex-convicts and ex-prisoners came to this saintly

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laborer, which was an unspeakable reward for all she suffered through the misjudgmcnt and criticism at the beginning of the work. This service was rendered in every town and city of the State where Unions were established by the Local Superintendents of Prison and Jail Work. God's seal of approval was so manifestly set upon this Holy Ministry that prisoners were not only blessed themselves but those who bore the message were strengthened and built up. We have sat in Con vention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union year after year and witnessed the unvarying power which rested upon the body as these prison reports were given. Many timid girls offered their first audi ble prayer in the darkness of prison cells and we do not doubt that the very angels and archangels of Heaven made their flight to strengthen the heart that was plead ing through sobs and tears for a fallen brother.
No less important was the work among colored people directed by this same devoted toiler, Mrs. E. E. Harper. She attended Schools, Sunday Schools and Churches for the colored population of Atlanta from week to week, giving talks, distributing literature and, wherever possible, organizing Unions. Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin. of South Carolina, on her frequent visits to Georgia as Superintendent of Southern Work became a tremendous force in this branch of service. Her heart was essentially enlisted, she was a typical woman of the old South, lived under the ante-bellum regime, witnessed the filial care of Christian masters for their slaves and the motherly interest of Christian mistresses. She knew how these faithful dependents trusted their

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masters and leaned upon them as a child upon a parent, how, through the long struggle of the Civil War, they protected the home while their masters went out to fight for the principles of liberty, and after it was over, with its fearful havoc of manhood, bitterness, broken hearts and buried dead, she saw these thousands of slaves thrust out upon theirown resources as ignorant of self-provision as a child and as unfitted to cast a ballot. She saw how low politicians and degraded white men courted their favor with the bribe of whiskey, telling them that they were now free and no man had the right to rob them of their personal liberty, to drink and vote for liquor. The fiery indignation of her great soul was so aroused that she went among them, not only in Georgia, but in every Southern State as a flaming evan gel of truth. In their churches, school houses, in rail way stations and everywhere she could gather an audience, by private and public persuasion she plead with them as a friend. With the co-operation of the State Superintendent, Mrs- E. E. Harper, and such col ored ministers as Rev. S. E. Lathrop, of the Colored Congregational Church, Macon; Rev. D. Sherril, of the same church, Savannah; Rev. J. M. White, of the Col ored Baptist Church, Augusta; Rev. C. H. Lyons, of Rome, and Rev. E. R. Carter and W. J. Gaines, of Atlanta, she set in motion influences among Georgia's colored citizenship that will never die. Colored Unions were organized and systematic teaching on scientific temperance was given in many of the colored schools. Especially was this true of Macon where the noted temperance worker among his own people, Rev. Stanley

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E. Lathrop, utilized every possible force in the colored churches and schools in behalf of reform. The Lewis High School, of Macon, with which he was connected, became a center of light for colored workers. Spellman Institute, of Atlanta, under the presidency of H. E. Giles, also heartily co-operated in the teaching of scientific temperance through Bands of Hope. The children were organized at East and West Atlanta colored schools as early as 1885 and became the means of many colored mothers discarding tobacco and whiskey. Mrs. C. G. Ball. General Superintendent of these schools, writes that snuff also was excluded in their pledge, which shows the earnest effort to lift their people above degrading and unhealthful habits. One hundred copies of the Temperance Banner were takes at that time by the Atlanta colored Unions, and the Union Signal, the official organ of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was also circulated.
The Department of Unfermented Wine at the Sacra ment was another pioneer agency which caused an arrest of thought along temperance lines. It was regarded as a little extreme until the facts were made known that some, through inherited appetite for strong drink, could not commune without being tempted to resort to intoxicants to allay their thirst. It was also shown that the children of the Bands of Hope who were pledged to abstain from all intoxicants could not par take of the Sacrament when fermented wine was used without feeling that they had at least approximated the point of violating their trust. To meet these conditions \\-ellnigh all of the ministers consented to adopt the

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unfermented wine at the Lords table. The faithful Superintendent of this department, in the early years, Mrs. Mary Shropshire, of Rome, not only by letters and personal appeal urged its claim, but sent a recipe for preparing the pure juice of the grape or unfermented wine to every local superintendent in the State that the churches might be provided with a supply.
From May 7-8, 1885, the Third Annual Convention of the Womans Christian Temperance Union was held in Columbus, Georgia, in St. Luke.Methodist Church. Rev. Walker Lewis, pastor of the church and the strong friend of temperance, conducted the devotional exer cises of the opening session. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the Rev. A. M. Wynn, pastor of the St. Paul Methodist Church, Colonel Grigsby Thomas and Mrs. W. J. McAllister, President of the local Womans Christian Temperance Union. Mrs- William C. Sibley, the State President, gave in her annual mes sage thrilling exhortations to renewed endeavor and recounted with praise the advanced steps which had been taken the past year. Miss Missouri H. Stokes, the Corresponding Secretary, gave a resume of the work accomplished by each Union and affectionately urged increased diligence by the Unions already formed and the vital necessity for further organization. Nine Unions were represented by delegates and eleven reported through the Corresponding Secretary. State Superintendents gave encouraging progress in their respective Departments. Special emphasis was placed upon Physiological Temperance Instruction in schools, and a committee appointed to memorialize the next

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Legislature to enact a law requiring such teaching in the public and State schools. The local Band of Hope, under the leadership of Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, filled an evening hour with a most enthusiastic exercise of tem perance drills, songs, recitations, and talks. One hundred and fifty children marching on the platform and singing with ringing melody, "Temperance Boys and Girls Are We," formed a moving picture of thrill ing interest.
A memorial service, tender and beautiful, was held in commemoration of the faithful laborers who had fallen at their post during the year. Among the num ber was the strong, bright spirit of the Superintendent of Sunday School Work, Mrs. Grigsby Thomas, of Columbus, and the apostolic Mrs. Mary E. Howes, of Atlanta, who for forty years illustrated the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ with one of the most saintly lives the world has produced. Mrs- Wright, Mrs. Mer rill, and Mrs. Inglesby, of Savannah, were also com memorated at this meeting for their faithful service. Early in the Convention Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin arrived and was at once voted a member of the body. This opened the way for her strong common sense and deep spirituality to bear their marks upon the proceedings. At an evening hour in the First Presbyterian Church she delivered an address, which to this day, is recalled by those who heard it with great enthusiasm. Many from the National have wrought well and made an indelible impression upon the temperance reform in Georgia, but we doubt if there has come among us a larger personality, or a more invincible exponent of

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the gospel of total abstinence than this ardent Huguenot of our sister state. She would say over and over again that Georgia came next in her heart to South Carolina, and no one who listened to her soul impressioned appeals doubted that statement. Under them the hard est hearts were melted and the most prejudiced minds gave heed.
Notwithstanding the fact that the State Union had grown in number and strength during the year 1884, yet the Treasurer reported only $138.00 as having been paid into the Treasury. It is said that statistics make a dry record. To our mind when we review the vast amount of writing done by the President and Corres ponding Secretary, the many hundreds of miles trav eled by these and other faithful officers in behalf of the work, the printing of the Minutes, Convention expenses and various other items, this $138.00 becomes one of the most eloquent speakers of the Third Convention. It is a great index finger pointing to the source of power-- the blessing of God upon unselfish sacrifice. These women were so moved by the Divine Spirit to organize against the liquor traffic that poverty, criticism nor any other earthly force could stay their efforts. Like the early Christians, who, when scattered abroad by perse cutions, only published the glad tidings more rapidly and effectively, these holy wives and mothers, who had looked upon the slain by their firesides until the very blood in their veins cried out with burning indignation, were only more firmly welded together by opposition to wage an eternal warfare until the lawmakers gave protection. At an early Convention, when the organi-

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zation had been roughly handled by sonic of its critics, declaring that it was teaching the women of Georgia to be unwomanly in leaving their homes and appearing in public. Mrs. William H. Felton, in reply, delivered one of the most scathing rebukes which has ever been given the liquor traffic. Her caustic burnt to the bone. After reviewing, in her elegant way, the diabolical work of the traffic against the home, she said: "My friends, do not wonder that we heart-broken wives and mothers should in desperation be driven into the public eye to plead for the protection of our sons for whom we have gone to the very gates of death to give being, but hear me. rather wonder that we do not lay violent hands upon the foul institution which is daily dragging them down to hell!" So powerful was the effect, that the audience went wild with applause and requested that the address be repeated the following evening to a great mass meeting.
At the Third Convention a State Constitution was written and adopted, embodying the name, purpose of the organization, officers, duties of officers, meeting and By-Laws, by Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. E. E- Harper and Mrs. J. H. Feary. When the report of the Com mittee was read and adopted, Rev. Walker Lewis, pastor of the St. Luke Methodist Church, arose and said that it was as good as any man, even a lawyer; could have written. This deserved tribute brings to mind the fact that in the pioneer days, when without knowledge of parliamentary law, totally devoid of ex perience in writing anything, which involved legal terms, these remarkable women presided over Conven-

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tions, formulated resolutions, and adjusted their machinery with a skill and accuracy that not only met all requirements, but became the wonder of observers.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Augusta, Ga.; VicePresidents, Mrs. W. B. Hill, Macon, Ga., Mrs. Marion Estes, Columbus, Ga., Mrs. Jefferson Thomas, Augusta, Ga., Mrs. Inez Gibson, Longview, Ga.; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Missouri H. Stokes, Atlanta, Ga.; Recording Secretary, Miss Emmie Stewart, Oxford, Ga.; Treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Feary, Augusta, Ga.; Librarian, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Atlanta, Ga.; Superintendents of Departments: Juvenile Work, Mrs. Richard Webb, Savannah, Ga.; Sunday School Work, Mrs. Jane E. Martin, Columbus, Ga.; Influencing the Press, Mrs. Belle Everlyn, Chipley, Ga.; Hygiene and Heredity, Mrs. Sarah M. Hicks, M. D., Atlanta, Ga.; Flower Mission, Miss Lula Mobley, Hamilton, Ga.; Relative Statistics, Mrs. George M. Dews, Columbus, Ga.; Work Among Foreign Population, Mrs. M. E. Kinchley, Augusta, Ga.; State and County Fairs, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, Columbus, Ga.; Work Among the Colored People, Mrs. E. E. Har per; Unfermented Wine, Mrs. Mary Shropshire, Rome, Ga.; State Organizer, Miss Missouri H. Stokes, Atlanta, Ga. It is seen from this roster that three Vice-Presi dents,-and four Superintendents of Departments were added, making the official force almost twice as strong as the previous year. This Convention with the various branches of the Department work, sowed the seed in part for the harvest we are reaping to-day in growing public sentiment against the liquor traffic.

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* While preparing the soil and planting the seed were the primary work of the Woman's Christian Temper ance Union in the first years of its history, yet there was in many counties an aggressive activity in local option campaigns which is unsurpassed at the present time with our increased facilities for work in means, laborers, and sympathy. From 1881 to 1885, the follow ing counties, either by high license or special legis lative act, passed prohibitory measures: Bartow, Berrien. Bryan, Clark, Campbell, Catoosa, Clinch, Cobb, Douglass, DeKalb, Dodge, Elbert, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel. Fayette, Franklin, Glascock, Hart, Hancock, Henry. Jasper, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery, Murray, Oglethorpe. Paulding, Pike, Randolph, Stewart, Taliaferro, Telfair, Taylor, Troup, Twiggs, Warren, Webster, and Worth. In all of these counties where local Unions were established, the women, by distribution of liter ature, securing the best speakers for public mass meet ings, doing personal work on election days, in serving . lunch near the polls, holding services of prayer and song during the voting hours, teaching the children to march, bearing prohibition banners, and various other means shared largely in the victories. In the memorabl^campaign of 1885 in Atlanta,_Hcm. Henry_wVJliifc~ yer, Major James A. Anderson_and_QJthef prohibition. _ feadersjappealedjo^the local Woinan!-Christian Xem-

* Although the General Local Option Bill bad failed to pass in the Legislature, year after year the counties in -which pro hibition sentiment was strong were not without resource in carrying out their will. They "went dry" through special legisla
tive act calling an election, or in some cases by a prohibitive high license without any election at all.--[Editor.]

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perance Union for co-operation in arousing the

aMlnlhVwork. The Union responded enthusiastically and at once arranged for a great mass meeting on Sunday afternoon at DeGive's Opera House to be ad dressed by Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, of the First Baptist Church. It was estimated that three thousand people were present and at least half that number turned away for lack of room. All of Dr. Hawthorne's admirably developed powers were brought to bear before that immense audience and his sweeping vision which saw responsibility resting upon every woman in all its gravity, unfolded the truth in words that blazed with the fires of the judgment of God if they failed to assume it. Hearts were stirred to their depths and profoundly impressed with a consciousness of duty to go out and fight the battle of righteousness. It is said from that hour the women of Atlanta began to work with an energy and zeal which knew no abatement until the great victory was achieved. Their husbands, sons, brothers and other male relatives were invoked with an irresistible entreaty to vote for prohibition. A petition was circulated, signed by hundreds of women praying the voters to register and vote for the Home. Large quantities of the best campaign literature were distributed by the ladies themselves, placing it under the front doors of private residences, and then ringing the door-bell to insure its being received. For three weeks and three days prior to the election, the ladies held daily Union prayer service at Trinity Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church. Mrs. M. L. Gates,

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of the Juvenile Work, drilled the boys, white and col ored, to sing temperance songs; Mrs. E. E. Harper, of the Colored Work, secured the aid of Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, of South Carolina, and held meetings among the colored people at Alien Temple, the Colored Con gregational Church, Clark University and Big Bethel, with powerful results. Mrs. Stainback Wilson and other ladies made an elegant blue satin banner on which was painted a pure white dove, bearing an olive branch in its beak, under which was written, "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." Upon the reverse of white satin was painted in exquisitely shaded letters the inspiring motto of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, "For God and Home and Native Land." This banner was to be given to the colored prohibition club which polled the largest vote. As a result of Mrs. Harper's and Mrs. Chapin's work among the colored people, a number of colored women came out on elec tion day and liberally aided with contributions and service at the lunch tables. The students of Clark University sent thirty gallons of milk and other colored people rendered substantial assistance in providing for the dinner that was to be served to prohibition voters.
Over the lunchwindowin South Atlanta,near the polls was placed in large letters the text, "O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt!" In North Atlanta, near the Court House, over the windows of another lunch room were suspended "battle flags," sent by the Union of Spartanburg, South Carolina, upon which were printed the stirring mottoes, "Save the Boys!" and "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" On Novem-

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her 26th, when the blessed news had been received that Fulton County had gone for prohibition by 228 major ity, the ladies of the city, under the leadership of Mrs. E. C. Witter, President of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union, held a thanksgiving service in the1 parlors of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mrs. Witter read Miriam's song of victory, after her people had passed over the Red Sea, and with voices broken by tremors of praise, that great company of women stood in the presence of God and sang the Doxology from the deepest depths of their hearts! Telegrams of congratulation were read from the Woman's Chris tian Temperance Unions of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Mobile, Alabama, from Ex-Mayor William B. Mason, and Colonel John Detreich, of Plainfield, New Jersey. Letters of rejoicing had been received from Miss Willard, Mrs. W. C. Sibley, the State President, Professor Henry Scomp, teacher of Ancient Languages in Emory College, and his excellent wife, who was Presi dent of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Oxford, Georgia.
In that holy hour when all hearts were too full for utterance, save through tears and sobs, the gentle Mrs. Harper stood up to speak for the colored people. "Dear friends," said she, "all day of the election I spent in prayer with the colored women at their churches. God was with us; I never heard any get closer to the throne than some of those colored mothers: There was a power and a pathos about their pleading that was heart-breaking, and I want to say that God gave them the victory as surely as he has given it

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to us!" The victory-could- net -have been_^SLQn but_ for the loyalty of the best ^plored people led by such .rjgsj;jgastors, among themJRev. W. J. Gaines and ^v R. Carter. At a critical moment in Jhe campaign, whpn fpar nf ffcfeq t.jygs_fgljLby many of the jstrongest prohibitipnisjs, these faithful colored jpeople rallied to ^the front with a courage that illuminates. the_^Slory of thatjaotable struggle,.^ Dr. William H. Felton had been secured to address a large mass meeting at "Sam Jones Tent" in order to fire the forces afresh for re doubled activity a few days prior to the election. As he was speaking before a great audience that filled the tent almost to its utmost capacity, a band of music was heard in a distance attended with shouts and cheers; some thought it the anti-prohibitionists making a final onslaught to break up the meeting, but in a moment as it drew nearer, a colored man came upon the stage and banded over to Mayor Hillyer a note, asking if the colored people might be allowed to hear Dr. Felton. The note was read to the crowd and permission granted amid the wildest enthusiasm. Their leaders were invited on the platform and the remaining six hundred were given seats which densely packed the already crowded tent. The historian of the campaign tells us that the cheering at this juncture was so loud and continuous that it was thirty minutes before Dr. Felton could go on with his address. Men threw their hats into the air, women waived their handkerchiefs and all seemed lost in a wild sea of tumultuous excitement. The noise was so great that many people left their homes to find the cause, some as far as a quarter of a

MRS. JOHN S. MOORE.

MRS. M. S. A. WEBB.

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mile distant. Dr. Felton's speech, it is said, was a per fect torrent of tremendous fervor for God's cause. The "Grand Old Man" who had been the hero of many bat tles for his beloved state never fought with sharper or surer lance than on this memorable occasion. Under the powerful inspiration of that magnificent assembly of Atlanta's best citizenship, among the white and colored, aided mightily by the God of Battles, he arose to heights of truest eloquence, nerving the arm of every one to go out and quit themselves like men! From that moment the victory was assured and not only Georgia, but the nation looked with wondering joy upon the march of triumph.

CHAPTER V.
PASSAGE OF THE GENERAL LOCAL OPTION BILL JULY 28TH, 1885--COUNTY VICTORIES--SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE IN STRUCTION BILL DEFEATED--FOURTH CONVENTION IN MAY, 1886, AT MACON A GREAT SUCCESS--SECOND ATTEMPT TO PASS SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION LAW DEFEATED --1887 CONVENTION HELD IN MASONIC TEMPLE, SAVANNAH --AFTER TWO YEARS PROHIBITION ATLANTA WENT WET-- HENRY GRADY'S GREAT SPEECHES.
Neither is he that planteth anything, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
I Cor. 3:7.
This period is memorable in the history of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia, not only for growing public sentiment in favor of the reform, but signal victories. Prejudice against the organization was yielding to some extent; its service in local option campaigns and petition work was recog nized as one of the most effective agencies for the advancement of the temperance cause. Of the one hundred and twenty-one counties which had thrown off the yoke of the liquor traffic, sixty-two of that number had passed their prohibitory measures since the organ ization instituted systematic teaching in scientific tem perance. _Jnl885 the General Local Option Bill whichrprovided that the people in _ea.Qb_.c,oapty_should be granted the

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right to votejipon prohibition^ andjhatJthe jmestipn

in t^pjr respective counties, was 'again to come up for passage in the Legislature. The previous year, 1884, when the bill met defeat, the Union measured swords with the enemy, an3 insteac went out for rf,^rm'ts fn mafce a fiercer charge. For months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, prayers were offered in every local Union for the author and friends of the bill. Notices were inserted in the leading dailies requesting all ministers of the gospel and every Christian in the State to unite in prayer that the right might prevail; also that the plans of the State Liquor Dealers Protective Association, which was in
\ session, might be thwarted. Senators and Legislators
were besieged with letters, telegrams _and_.jjerspnal appeals to vote and work for its_passage. When the day dawned, July 13th, which had been fixed for its consideration, these wives, mothers and daughters, gathered at the Capitol and sat in crowded galleries from 9:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M., with the thermometer in the nineties. When, in spite of the lengthy filibuster ing, the bill passed by a vote of til fn ^g, fhpv followed it to the Senate and listened to the debate through long hours for nine consecutive days. On the 28th day of July, their prayers and patient endurance were re warded with victory, the vote for the bill being 31 to 7^
On the 22nd of the same month, eight ladies from the Atlanta Union, Mrs." Jonathan Norcross, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. J. C. Keyes, Dr. Sarah M. Hicks, Mrs. E. E. Harper, Mrs. J. D. Dougherty, Mrs. J. E. Bryant, and

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Miss M. H. Stokes went before the Joint Educational Committee of the Senate and House and presented the memorial of the W. C. T. U., asking for the enactment of a law requiring in all schools under the State control and support, the study of Physiology and Hygiene with special reference to the effects of alcohol and other narcotics upon the human system. The petition was reinforced by a similar one from the State Temper ance Association and the Good Templars. Hon. W. J. Northen, afterwards Governor of Georgia, from Han cock County, drew up an admirable bill and earnestly plead for its passage but it met defeat by a vote of 21 to 14. Its opponents declared that it was unconstitu tional, that the most of the teachers in the common schools were unable to teach Physiology, that the pur chase of necessary text books, would entail upon the parents of the pupils additional expense, and that it was not a primary duty.
This defeat only aroused the Union to greater zeal, knowing that Georgia's law-making body could do what had been done in wellnigh every state in the Union. They knew that the so-called "Unconstitutional" and other lame excuses were rendered because the people of Georgia had not spoken loud enough to demand a hearing. The Corresponding Secretary therefore sent out a petition in the name of the people of the State to every Union and in places where there were no Unions, asking that such a law be enacted. This petition met with the highest favor and was returned not only with a large number of signatures, but letters of earnest endorsement. Among the number who approved and

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gave their signatures, were eminent educators, lawyers, physicians, and a host of leading farmers and business men. The faculties of Emory College, Mercer Univer sity, Wesleyan Female College, Middle Georgia and West Georgia Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges and Shorter College, together with the Boards of Educa tion in Rome and Augusta, signed in their official capacity. This gave the Union to know absolutely, what they had already supposed, namely: that the Legislators were not representing the people of the State in refusing to enact this measure, but were pan dering to the liquor traffic, hence they resolved to petition until the law was passed.
The following September and October, the State Organizer, Miss M. H. Stokes, made a tour, of which she quaintly says: "I started out armed with faith, enthusiasm, $10.00 from a Methodist minister of the South Georgia Conference, and a trip pass over the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad." She repre sented the cause of the Union at Ellijay, Canton, Jasper, Flowery Branch,Longview,Clarkesville and Gainesville. The latter part of October, she, with Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Mrs. M. A. Houston, represented Georgia at the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union which convened in Philadelphia. They returned overflowing with enthusiasm and by prayer and ceaseless labor became potent factors in the local option campaign which was at white heat in Fulton County. The glori ous result of signal victory which came to the forces of righteousness has been pointed out at length in the foregoing chapter. Inspired by the moral grandeur

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a vast significance of triumph in Georgia's capital, the faithful officers began to plan for yet greater achieve ments through the Fourth Annual Convention, which convened in Mulberry Street Methodist Church, Macon, May 21-23. 1886. This convention is a historic mile stone, marking the time and place when God appeared in wonderful power.
An earnest spirit of supplication and thanksgiving from the very first service pervaded the body. The victories of the past year in the counties of Bartow, Clark. DeKalb, Dodge, Elbert, Fulton, Fayette, Oglethorpc, Screven, Stewart. Taliaferro, Taj'lor, Troup, and Warren, brought the State Union to realize mor< keenly than ever their source of strength. They had stood still and seen "the salvation of the Lord;" that it was not by armies nor by power, but by His spirit that the Hosts of sin had been slain in battle. They had come up to the annual feast to recount the mercies of Jehovah and renew their pledge of fealty to Him and humanity. As the Convention opened, battles were being waged in the counties of Newton, Washington and Morgan; fervent prayers were offered in their behalf and while "they yet spake" the wires flashed the glorious news that Newton and Washington had been redeemed from the curse of liquor. Mrs. Chapin read the 117th Psalm and "Psalms of Victory" was sung amid a deep, holy hush of gratitude to God. The Pres ident's address glowing with the fervor of faith and jubilant with the notes of conquest so stirred the body as to call for its second reading at an evening hour when the masses of the people would be present to

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hear it. Honorable Walter B. Hill, afterward Chan cellor of the University of Georgia, and one of her ablest sons in law and state craft, delivered an eloquent address in which he dwelt upon the power of woman in moral reform; with cogent reasoning he proved her prerogative to work for the protection of her home. Dr. Weyman H. Potter, Editor of the Wesleyan Chris tian Advocate, and one of the most eminent divines Georgia Methodism has produced, spoke also in the highest commendation of the organization. Referring to some of its critics, he said: "Move steadily forward, take no heed of any one who would hinder; you are engaged in God's work and I pray that you may go on undeflected from your course." This clear-brained, ecclesiastical statesman, not only at the Convention, but ever after, by pen and voice, plead with the women at large to enter this field of unlimited usefulness and when the sword of criticism was drawn against the Union and other branches of woman's work, he drew one in their defense with sharper edge which cut to the vitals. He did perhaps more than any other man of his generation in the State of Georgia to open the way for woman's larger activities and beat back the forces that would bind her in servitude to the preconceived notions of ignorance and prejudice.
Rev. A. M. Wynn, of the South Georgia Conference, Rev. W. F. Cook, of the North Georgia Conference, and the venerable Rev. James E. Evans, each were in attend ance, and by prayer, counsel and kindly commendation became a blessing throughout the session. Among the important enactments of the body was the adoption of

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a resolution asking that each local Union memorialize the next Legislature to pass a law providing separate places for women and juvenile offenders from the hard ened criminals. This resolution was called out by a strong paper from Mrs. William H. Felton on "Prison Reform." It was resolved also to again memorialize the Legislature for a Physiological Instruction Law. The reports of Superintendents of Departments were of a high order and showed greater progress than in any previous year. The Department of Social Purity was adopted and Mrs. J. E. Bryant, of Atlanta, made Super intendent. The treasury had an increase of $57.00 over the past year. The Convention as a whole made a profound impression in favor of woman's work by reason of the executive ability of the officers, the power and facility of utterance on the part of the speakers, the order and decorum in the deliberations, the wisdom and tact in presenting an unpopular cause, but above all the unity of spirit and the bond of love.
On November 26th, of this year, Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Miss Emmie Stewart, and Miss M. H. Stokes, again pre sented the memorial for a Physiological Instruction law to the Joint Educational Committee of the House and Senate. Honorable R. C. Pringle framed the bill and introduced it in the Senate where it was defeated by a tie of twenty to twenty, but was afterwards recon sidered and passed by a substitute which only pro vided that Physiology be added to the list of studies already required in the public schools.
The early history of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union furnishes a striking illustration of

MRS. MARY L- McLENDON.

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the lesson taught on trials and triumphs through the experience of Christ--one day the multitude spreading His path with palms and shouting His praise, the next nailing Him to the cross.
The Macon Convention was the day of palms, when the strongest Methodist Church at that time in the South Georgia Conference royally welcomed the body through its honored and beloved pastor, Rev. J. O. A. Cook, who not only opened his church for sessions, but attended throughout and aided in every possible way. Distinguished ministers and laymen from many parts of the State, by their presence, words, letters and tele grams, co-operated heartily. A great impetus was given the cause; even among the colored people, who, under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. Stanley Lathrop, responded enthusiastically to Mrs. Chapin in her ardent and eloquent appeal for their support in fighting the liquor traffic. So manifest was the approval of the great crowds which attended the sessions that a casual onlooker would have judged that all the trials were over and opposition had ceased. But the women them selves, who, like the apostles, had been taken into the confidence of Christ, knew that truth must travel a rugged path, that only a cross and a crown of thorns awaited those who stood for righteousness; therefore they were not surprised when at the next Convention, held in Savannah, May 10-13, 1887, the door of every Christian church was closed against them and they were forced to rent the Masonic Temple in which to hold their meeting. The Mayor of the City was invited by the local W. C. T. U. to welcome the body in behalf

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of the citizens, but he happened (?) to be out of town. Not only were the chilling winds of indifference and criticism turned upon them in Savannah--which from the days of Oglethorpe to the present time burdened the noblest men and women of Georgia with disloyalty to temperance--but they felt its force from other sections of the State as well. It was said that they had over stepped the bounds of woman's sphere, had gone into politics. This they answered by saving they were only going after a government which was wrecking their homes and killing their husbands, sons and fathers; that they had waited amid unutterable suffering and anguish for more than a hundred years for the men to protect them and no protection came, therefore, against their wish, they had been forced into the arena of public life. These answers by pen, were made with marvelous patience in the utmost kindness. Not a word of harsh ness is to be found in the record. Human history af fords no finer demonstration of Christ's teachings touch ing forgiveness, than pervades the work of Georgia's temperance women. Ridiculed by the liquor men, op posed by many in the Church of God, even some of His ordained ministers claiming the right to close the doors of the Church they helped to found against them, yet standing on the outside in a hired house like St. Paul when buffeted and cast out, they calmly and determinately fought the foe with sharp weapons of truth with such commanding generalship, that critics were put to shame. At this Convention the trend of opinion in regard to the organization entertained by its oppon ents is brought out in the following resolution:

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"RESOLVED: That the thanks of the Woman's Chris tian Temperance Union are due and heartily tendered Rev. Dr. Weyman H. Potter, Editor of the Wesleyan Christian Advocate for his gallant defense of our organ ization and some of our most beloved and prominent officers. We are glad that this chivalric, gentlemanly defense came from Georgia, and we desire to express our appreciation of the bold, brave words, made the more valuable because coming from an editor who has no superior in this State or any other state, for worth, intelligence and piety."
Under these conditions, in the President's address, the Corresponding Secretary's Report, and through the various departments represented by fifteen Superin tendents, there is not a discouraging note sounded. Full and glowing accounts were given of victories but little was said of difficulties. Distinguished helpers in Mrs. Chapin, of South Carolina, Mrs. Wells, of Tennes see, and Honorable R. C. Pringle, of Savannah, Georgia, came to their aid and spoke of having authority upon the great principles of civic righteousness. Colonel Pringle's address to a packed house on "County and State Prohibition" was cheered to the echo. The invincible arguments of Mrs. Chapin and Mrs. Wells given with the superb grace of Southern womanhood; brought Savannah to see that there was nothing to fear in allowing women to make their own plea for home protection. The Convention resolved strongly against high license, which at that time came into popular favor as a compromise with the liquor traffic. The body took the ground that if the sale of liquor was deleterious to

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the State, no amount of license would make it right. County victories had been achieved during the year in Dodge, Harris, Greene, Pulaski and Baldwin, in each of which the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union rendered invaluable aid. This fact was set forth with such enthusiasm by Colonel Pringle, that after his tribute Mrs. Chapin said, as Superintendent of Southern Work, she was indeed proud of the women of Georgia who had accomplished such results.
There were no marked changes in the Plans, Prin ciples and Resolutions, and the officers who were reelected went out to face the future with as heroic spirits as pervaded the army of Cromwell when they marched upon the enemy singing psalms of praise. Well that they were at this Convention baptized with the spirit of unfaltering purpose and dauntless courage for just ahead of them was rising a dark cloud of sore defeat in the Capitol City of Georgia, made memor able by the immortal speeches of that peerless son of the South--Henry Woodfin Grady.* With the most painstaking care he gathered irrefutable evidence of Atlanta's unparalleled prosperity under prohibition and presented them before 8,000 people in two of the greatest efforts of his life. When he fell asleep in a golden prime of almost matchless abilities, his name /as set like some rare gem of purest radiance in the

*From the time that Fulton County went dry in November, 1885, the liquor interests concentrated their efforts in Atlanta to bring it back into the wet column. They called an election and notwithstanding the hard work of the temperance men and
, led by the eloquent Henry Grady, they secured a major ity and Fulton County went wet again in 1887.--[Editor.]

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midst of circling virtues, reflecting light upon his fer vent patriotism, his broad catholicity in work for unity between the North and South, his consuming zeal for the material development of his own and other South ern states, yet these with all their splendor pale into insignificance as compared with his thrilling appeal for the protection of Atlanta's homes against the liquor traffic. It was warm with his heart's best blood, sub lime in its authoritative claim upon the city's manhood to defend and protect her helpless women and little children, beautiful and powerful in patience toward the enemy. There are portions of it that should be cut upon a marble tablet and placed in the Capitol building as an inspiration to the young men of the State who are to frame our laws. To the faithful wives and mothers and daughters who in their intense anxiety to aid in defeating the foe, had left their homes to work in every possible way, he says: "I doubt if women--God bless them all--can do their best work in the public turmoil of this campaign. I wish it were so we could take hold of it with such manliness that they could go back home and rely upon their prayers and our effort's to carry it through. Woman's best work is gentleness. She should come as the dew, not in the garish sunshine or in the rushing storm, but when the earth is wrapped in night's sober hush falling like a soft distillation of the stars upon the sleeping flowers. Better work there, but I honor her when she comes to the front in an emer gency like this, bringing her scarred heart, tender nature and shining eyes to aid. It is she who has suf fered most at the hand of this merciless tyrant. It has

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brought her gray hairs down in sorrow to the grave, it has stilled the laughter on the lips of her children, it has stifled the music of her home and filled it with silence and desolation." Who wonders that she came weeping and praying for deliverance?
Mr. \V. P. Pledger, a speaker for the liquor men, had declared from a public platform in Atlanta that when women left their homes to go out in a campaign and work for temperance they, by this act, forfeited their right to man's homage. In reply to this Mr. Grady says: "No matter what my opinion on prohibition might be. I would never support a people on any issue which voices a sentiment that reflects upon the wives and mothers of the noblest and best men of the city, who wear heroism as a garment." Here followed one of the most terrific arraignments of the liquor traffic that has ever been put into the English language. Said he: "My friends, do not trust the liquor traffic. It is powerful, aggressive and universal in its attacks. To-night it enters an humble home and strikes the roses from a woman's cheeks, and to-morrow it challenges this republic in the halls of Congress. To-night it strikes the crust from the lips of a starving child and to-morrow levies tribute from the government itself. There is not a cottage in this city humble enough to escape it, no police strong enough to shut it out. It defies the law when it cannot coerce suffrage. It is flexible to cajole but merciless in its victory. It is the mortal enemy to peace and order. The despoiler of men, the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves

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and sent more souls unsaved to judgment than all the pestilence that has wasted life since God sent the plagues to Egypt, and all the wars that have been waged since Joshua stood before Jericho! Oh! my country men, loving God and Humanity, do not bring this grand old city again under its dominion and power!" This was followed by tremendous applause and cries of "We won't! We won't!"
His two great speeches so profoundly impressed the State and Nation that the mails for weeks after they were delivered brought urgent requests for their pub lication in pamphlet form to be used throughout the United States as campaign literature. The Constitu tion Publishing Company issued them at once and they were scattered everywhere and doubtless have done as much in other states to hasten statewide prohibition as they have in Georgia.

CHAPTER VI.
MRS. W. H. FELTON A WHITE RIBBON ORATOR OF PIONEER DAYS--ORIGINATED AND WROTE W. C. T. U. MEMORIAL AGAINST CONVICT LEASE IN 1886--MADE PROHIBITION SPEECHES THROUGHOUT GEORGIA--SPOKE AGAINST THE IN TERNAL REVENUE SYSTEM--HER GREAT SPEECH AT MADISON HELPED TO CARRY MORGAN COUNTY DRY.
The characteristics of a genuine heroism is its persistency.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Because of the unique place filled by Mrs. William H. Felton as orator in the earlier days we invited her to prepare a reminiscent letter for this volume, which she has done in her own brilliant way. It will be of con suming interest to our readers. She says:
"In the Spring of 1886, I attended the Convention, held that year in the city of Macon, Ga. I joined the W. C. T. Union in that year and introduced a resolution looking to reform in the Convict Lease System of Geor gia, and induced Rev. J. H. Potter, who was then editor of the Wesleyan Christian Advocate, to follow my resolution with his endorsement. I was authorized to write and present a memorial petition to the Georgia Legislature, setting forth, so far as I could, the horrors of the Lease System, particularly condemning the boarding of women convicts along with the male crim-

MRS. WILLIAM H. FELTON.

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inals, and the constant contact of juvenile criminals with veterans in crime.
"A legislative report, made in 1879 and printed in the proceedings of that year's General Assembly, gave forth the astounding fact that twenty-five little children, under three years of age, were then in camp, along with their convict mothers, little helpless innocents, born on the chain gang, in the lowest depths of degraded humanity. These children, according to the report men tioned, who were born from convict mothers, were also the offspring of the guards, (employed by the les sees to punish all offenders,) who had basely used their authority to compel these women to submit to their carnal desires. This state of things was so plainly hor rible that I wrote it up in the newspapers at the time this legislative report was published, namely, 1879. The author of this legislative report and also Chairman of the Investigating Committee, Colonel Bob Alston, came to see Dr. Felton and myself in the National Hotel in Washington City in February, 1879, and told me that his life had been threatened by certain parties who were connected with the lease, and said that he had received a letter from his wife that morning, who was very uneasy and unhappy on his account; that certain women whose husbands were making fortunes out of the lease, were not only defiant, but talking big of what would be done to people who meddled with their hus bands' business, etc. He walked the floor and said he had never encountered such enmity in his life. In a few weeks he was assassinated in the State Capitol in Atlanta, murdered by a sub-lessee in the office of the

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State Treasurer, his life-blood spattering the very walls of the strong-box of Georgia as he fell to the floor. He had appealed to Governor Colquitt and told him that morning that he was being hunted down by this man, afterwards his slayer.
"My husband, as a member of Congress from Georgia, was assailed in the newpapers by a United States Sen ator, himself a lessee of the State convicts and the head of one of these lease companies. In replying to his attack, Dr. Felton exposed his connection with these infamies connected with the Lease System. When Dr. Felton offered again for Congress in 1880, every lessee bent his every energy to silence him in Washington City and retire him from public life in the State. He was counted out in the election, and, as poor Bob Alston was in his grave, the lessees believed they were in the saddle and all opponents silenced. The people of Bartow County persuaded Dr. Felton to represent them in the Georgia Legislature, and he was there when my Memorial from the W. C. T. U. was presented to the General Assembly. He fathered the movement in that body, and, together we opened up the war on the hor rible lease system, which was abolished a few years ago, amid the execrations and loud denunciations of all sane and sensible men in Georgia. It was stamped down as the most infamous combination of public graft ever known in the State, the Yazoo Fraud not excepted. But it placed three men in the United States Senate, and elected two of them to the Governor's chair in Georgia, and it was the coupling of money and base influence of this Lease System which fastened this vile octopus

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on the tax payers of the State for twenty years after wards; I mean after I was commissioned by the W. C. T. U. of Georgia to memorialize the Legislature at its State Convention in the year 1886. These lessees named Congressmen, they ruled the politics of the State, and they seemed so strongly entrenched that any opposition was futile.
"Dr. Felton pressed and advocated a reformatory for juveniles before the Legislature, and not only was he attacked by the lessee's influence, but I, myself, a woman without a ballot, and no weapon but an active pen, was attacked in that Legislative body, because I obeyed the mandate of the W. C. T. U. and presented the Memorial, which aroused the anger and antipathy of these rich lessees and their satellites. But this Memorial paved the way to broader reasoning and fuller examination of this terrible lease system, which was described in London, England, time and again as, 'A cancer sore on the war stricken South,' a blot on our fair name, as a section, and a withering blight and a menace to our civilization. Words were not adequate to express their contempt and disgust for the infamous political com bination which sentenced thousands of negroes to the pen that these men might rake in millions of profit from their labor and their misery.
"Fifty years from now the name of every man who filled his pockets with this vile lease money extorted by the State's injustice from its dependent and criminal classes, will be so mortifying to his descendants that they will eschew the very parentage as the descendants of the Yazoo Fraud swindle are forced to conceal the

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infamy placed upon the men who sold their votes for gold, land and negroes when that Yazoo Fraud was perpetrated.
"Acting for the W. C. T. U. of Georgia, as their agent, as their messenger, I led the way to reform, and, although it was secretly consummated, yet those negro women convicts were removed from association with males in convict camps, and, as I was told, employed at broom making in a separate camp, and this removal occurred about the year 1890 or 1892.
"If I had not been given liberty to approach the Legis lature by your organization, no one can tell how long the movement might have been delayed. This is one move ment affecting Legislation in Georgia which is clearly traceable in its beginning to your authority--you de serve the credit--and should boldly lay claim to it.
"A few days ago a convict white woman was so severely beaten in the Atlanta convict camps that some one reported the outrage. She was given 110 lashes on her body by a white whipping boss. He admits that he inflicted 100 lashes and says he punished her for cursing and obscene language. While I am a foe to profanity and obscenity, when was it ever known before that a brutal guard could ever be allowed to put over 100 lashes at one time on one poor female's body? And for cursing! As it is well known that many men, out side prison camps can curse and go unwhipt of justice, I here propose to your body, now in session, that you shall give me the liberty to memorialize our law makers at their next meeting, and I will call the State's atten tion to this outrageous punishment. It is clearly within

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your province to protest, and, while I have passed seventy-five years of age, God willing, you shall have some one to bring the enormity of this incident to the State's attention, and I ask you to consider your duty to your sex and State. And the brutal woman-beater was not dismissed. He was only reprimanded and is here still, armed with a whip, and prepared to beat down any other white or negro woman who uses obscene language or curses in his high and mighty presence.
"As a pioneer in the Temperance Cause, I have trav eled from my home in the gable end of Georgia to many and various places, towns and cities, to plead for pro hibition in years gone by. I went forth when the world of society looked askance at a woman who should dare to go out on the public rostrum and plead for the safety of her people. The Liquor Demon was entrenched in every city in Georgia, when this little David gathered a pocket full of stones from the brook and sallied forth to meet the enemy. How many taunts and slanders, and covert insinuations that were thrust at me, eternity alone can discover. How many sneers were leveled at me, I perhaps will never know, but as I look back at the struggles of that early period, I almost tremble to remember that I was the target of such entrenched power and influence and that their slanderous and liquor-soaked tongues could disseminate their vile hints and innuendoes and like thistle down in the wind, scat ter them everywhere--in public or in secret. I here thank my Heavenly Father that He has led me along in safety and that I live and can congratulate you upon your heroic work for curbing the liquor traffic. You can

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never underestimate at this time their willingness to drag everybody down to the level of the dram shop, and, except their own kith and kin, they spared nobody in their effort to hold their ill-gotten gains.
"I addressed a joint committee of the House and Senate in behalf of the Bush Bill, which you recollect, and heard a man get up and say he would rather his daughter should marry and live with a drunkard than curb the authority of the liquor dealers in the prosecu tion of their unholy traffic. To that complexion had it come in Georgia.
"The successive Legislatures in Georgia memorialized Congress to repeal the infamous Internal Revenue Sys tem, but there was never a man in Congress with cour age sufficient to rise on the floor of the House of Representatives or Senate and represent the wishes of the citizens of the State of Georgia on this subject. When I went before a large Atlanta audience at a State \V. C. T. U. Convention and made the atrocities of this Internal Revenue so plain that he who ran might read, there was not a man in Georgia, save the lamented Walter B. Hill, of precious memory, who dared to stand on the same platform and echo my stinging words to that people. Preachers and pulpits--even a Bishop of my own Church, took opposite sides in a political cam paign that I wrote up in the newspapers and avowed his opposition to any sort of independent Prohibition Campaign in Georgia.
"For decades the people of Georgia were absolutely ruled by the lessees of convicts and liquor campaign money. It is not easy sailing now, but there were

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breakers and tides innumerable when I went to Atlanta, Macon and Thomasville--all filled with liquor dens, to utter a protest against the wholesale slaughter of the men and boys of this country. This was pioneer work --and hard work.
"I went to Madison when there were two government distilleries in full blast and nine grog shops on the main street, and plead like a woman pleads for the life of her child, doomed to the gallows. It was my dear mother's county, Morgan County. She went to its High School when she was a girl. Every foot of the soil around about Madison to-day is dear to me. My kindred are living there--my dear ones are buried there, and every pulse in my body thrilled with these memories when I stood in a tent the day before the election and plead for the safety of the people and their children. There were fifteen hundred voters, one thousand of them were negro voters. I asked that the negro men and women might be allowed and a section was arranged for them in the tent as I requested. I plead with them for their own safety and the safety of their children and when I reached home that night on a late train, I prayed all the way, that God might save and bless Madison and Morgan County. Tired to almost exhaustion after the day's work, I asked God on my knees at nearly midnight to bless my humble efforts at next day's election. I was the only speaker of the day--the last plea was the one I made, and, when a telegram was handed me late the next evening after the election was over saying Morgan County had given four hundred majority for Prohibition I was limp

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as a rag from fatigue, but I was ready to shout Halle lujah to God forever!"
This letter, though written in Mrs. Felton's seventyfifth year, blazes with the fires of youth and rings with the authority of truth. The Georgia Woman's Chris tian Temperance Union stands uncovered in recog nition of the priceless heritage transmitted to them through her golden record.

CHAPTER VII.
CONVENTION OF 1888 AT BAPTIST CHURCH, ATLANTA--MRS. CHAPIN, HON. WALTER B. HILL, MRS. FELTON THE SPEAK ERS----CONVENTION IN 1889 AT AUGUSTA--MOVEMENT LED BY MRS. M. L. MCLENfiON FOR STATE INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE FOR GIRLS--HIGH LICENSE POLICY CHECKS INCREASE OF PROHIBITION COUNTIES--1890 CONVENTION AT ROME--MRS. FELTON, MRS. McLENDON, HON. SEABORN WEIGHT THE SPEAKERS.
Two things cannot fail, righteousness and truth. --Rev. J. W. Lee.
It has been observed that the Methodist Church was the chief nourisher of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union during the first few years of ite struggle for existence. It was born in a Methodist Church; all conventions save two, for the first six years of its life were held in Methodist Churches, their pastors lending the inspiration of prayer, counsel and commendation, but the tune had now come when the great conservative Baptist Church was to heed the call of God in rallying to its support.
Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, a Prince in Israel, had been given to see that to shut the doors of Christ's Church, as had been done the previous year in the city of Savannah, against these women, was to close them against purity and holiness, against the very cause
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Christ himself sanctified--the home of little children. This great man of God, who had for many years been pastor of the First Baptist Church, Atlanta, listened to the scoffs and slurs of the liquor men heaped upon these wives and mothers in the recent campaign in the Capital City, and, like Henry Grady, his manhood burned with fiery indignation; but most of all he had watched the wonderful self-poise of the women them selves, their infinite patience and beautiful non-resist ance. Thus impressed he sent to the general officers a cordial and brotherly invitation to hold their sixth convention in his, the First Baptist Church, of Atlanta. This royal welcome from the strongest pulpit among the Baptists of the State inspired a large delegation to attend. It not only exceeded in numbers any conven tion of the past, but the personnel of the body was of an unusually high order. Notwithstanding the year had been one of trial and defeat at many points, the Presi dent's address and Corresponding Secretary's report were ringing appeals for greater zeal and more strenu ous effort. Dr. H. C. Morrison, now Bishop of the Southern Methodist Church, and at that time pastor of the First Methodist Church, of Atlanta, adjourned his congregation at an evening hour to attend the Conven tion and gave the welcome address in behalf of the ministers. Hon. Walter B. Hill delivered a character istic speech on "State and National Prohibition." Rev. Samuel W. Small, a strong temperance writer on the Constitution and other papers, sent greetings and re newed pledges of allegiance to the cause. The prevail ing opinion of the Woman's Christian Temperance

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Union at that period is candidly given by Dr. Love, of Atlanta, who, on being introduced to the Convention, said in frank but brotherly spirit: "My eyes have just been opened to the real merits of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Before the coming of your body to our city I had thought you were a set of cranks, harping only on one string, that of temperance, but I find that your interests are manifold and most beneficent, that you are broad-minded women."
So wide-spread was the idea that the organization had espoused the cause of "woman suffrage," at this convention it became necessary to declare the princi ples of State rights, showing that though the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union had a Depart ment of Franchise, that according to the Constitution, each state was granted the privilege of adopting only such branches of work as were best suited to its needs; thus having a law unto themselves they could regulate their own affairs, being bound to the National only by the total abstinence pledge. (It is due the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union to here state that the prevailing opinion touching their espousal of woman's suffrage, had its origin not in any official act of the organization, but by reason of the fact that the principles of State rights at that time were not generally understood; the public assuming that each State was fully committed to every branch of National work.)
Professor Henry A. Scomp's notable book on the His tory of Temperance in Georgia, entitled, "King Alcohol in the Realm of King Cotton," had just been issued from the press and was most heartily endorsed by the Con-

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vention. The noble author had given large space to a full sketch of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temper ance Union, clearly and accurately written by Miss Missouri Stokes. The National Union and its immortal founder, Frances E. Willard, was also noticed at length and commended by the writer. From the beginning of the movement he had been one of its warmest supporters, and at many trying junctures by wise counsel, fervent prayers, and cheering words had inspirited the Georgia Workers. He stood by his excel lent wife as President of the Oxford Union, where from one to three hundred young men in Emory College were pledged to total abstinence, like a great forest oak, pro tecting her from the storms of criticism which came from wellnigh every source.
Four new departments were adopted at this Conven tion: The Department of Young Woman's Work, Work Among Soldiers and Sailors, Non-Narcotic, NonAlcoholic Treatment in Medicine and Sabbath Observ ance. Under the department of Social Purity, em phatic deliverances were made against the sale of tobacco to minors, calling for the suppression of the impure pictures as advertising mediums; and against the sensational press. The reports from the various departments were exceptionally fine. That of Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, of Columbus, on "Relative Statistics," and Mrs. A. N. Galloway on "Social Purity" are worthy of preservation in permanent form. In referring to the memorial to the Legislature for a "Home of Refuge" for "Reformed Fallen Women," Mrs. Galloway says:, "On the 22nd of September, by previous arrangement

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made in our behalf through Colonel C. R. Pringle, of the Senate, a committee from that body met a committee from the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Atlanta, in the auditorium of the First Baptist Church. The ladies constituting the committee were Miss Missouri Stokes, State Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. E. C. Witter, President of the Atlanta Union; Mrs. A. N. Galloway, then local Superintendent of Social Purity Work; with Mrs. Auten and Mrs. O'Conner. Colonel Pringle, as Chairman of the Senate Committee, cour teously received us and read the memorial signed by Mrs. W. C. Sibley, President, and other State Officers, asking the Legislature to appropriate $5,000 toward founding in Atlanta a home of refuge for penitent fallen women. Mrs. Witter and Mrs. Galloway gave forceful reasons why the appropriation asked should be granted. Miss Stokes read a paper showing how the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in other states had taken such work in hand and carried it to success. She pointed out the adaptability of the organization with its large number of trained laborers in all denomi nations to enterprise and work in such an institu tion, but above all the crying need of temperance organizations to have open a door of refuge for hun dreds of women who are degraded and debauched through the drink habit and when penitent and re formed have no place of refuge whither they can go to rebuild their ruined and shattered characters. Mrs. Auten and Mrs. O'Conner gave thrilling incidents com ing under their own observation, showing that in all Atlanta there is not an open door for penitent women.

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Letters from Mrs. Merrick, of Louisiana, Mrs. M. W. Wolfe, of New Orleans, and other rescue workers in various parts of the United States, together with reports from several different Homes of Refuge, were left in the hands of the Committee. September 26th another meeting was held which was so pervaded by a con sciousness of the awful responsibility resting upon those present, that in the midst of a solemn hush as Mrs. Auten spoke under the inspiration of the Spirit, showing the necessity for Rescue Work, not only for women but for men, the strong men of the committee wept and pledged to present a bill to the House of Rep resentatives, asking for the appropriation.
Mr. Walker, of Putnam County, drew up and intro duced a bill but it was adversely reported by the Finance Committee, to whom it was referred, thus virtually defeating it. Under this Department, Social Purity, a "Silver Crown" pledge was required of boys below sixteen years of age, which is given to show the beautiful chivalry and perfect manliness thus taught:
"I promise by the help of God: "1st. To treat all women with courtesy and respect and to be especially kind to all persons who are poorer or weaker or younger than myself. "2nd. To be modest in word or deed and to dis courage profane and impure language; never doing or saying anything that I would be unwilling to have known by my father or mother. "3rd. To avoid all conversation, reading, pictures and amusements which may put impure thoughts into my mind.

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"4th. To guard the purity of others, especially of companions and friends, and avoid speaking or think ing evil.
"5th. To keep my body in temperance, soberness and chastity."

Officers for the ensuing year were practically the same as the year previous, with the exception of six District Presidents, who were assigned to as many Con gressional Districts which came in the following order:
First District, Mrs. E. C. Witter; Second District, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard; Third District, Mrs. R. D. Walker; Fourth District, Mrs. Inez Gibson; Fifth District, Mrs. J. Jetferson Thomas; Sixth District, Mrs. John A. Jones.
After more than two decades the proceedings of this Convention are warm with the fires of heroism. Sledge hammer strokes of truth given by such women as Mrs. Chapin, of South Carolina, and Mrs. William H. Felton, of Georgia, and such apostles of righteousness as Hon. Walter B. Hill, riveted convictions that will abide for ever.

The notable features of the Seventh Annual Con vention which met in St. John's Methodist Church, Augusta, Georgia, April 16-19, 1889, were a series of important resolutions, memorializing the next Legis lature to enact a law prohibiting the sale of liquor within a radius of three miles of all State institutions of learning; appropriating a fund for the establish ment of an Industrial School for Girls; founding a State Reformatory for penitent fallen women; and passing a statutory law closing all barrooms.

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The petition for an "Industrial College for Girls" was the outgrowth of a vigorous paper written by Mrs. M. L. McLendon, of Atlanta, appealing to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia to circulate a petition through the State, asking that the Legislature be memorialized in behalf of such an institution. Mrs. McLendon, not only by this request to the State Union, but through the leading dailies repeatedly and elo quently urged the founding of the school in behalf of the girls of Georgia. She was joined in the movement by Mrs. J. J. Ansley, wife of Rev. J. J. Ansley, of the South Georgia Conference, who wrote through the Atlanta Constitution and the Wesleyan Christian Advo cate, calling public attention to the great necessity for industrial training being given the girls and especially the poor girls of the State. Through the efforts of Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. W. P. Lovejoy, wife of Dr. W. P. Lovejoy, of the North Georgia Conference, the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of that Conference also memorialized the Legislature for the establishment of the College. Under the leadership of Hon. W. Y. Atkinson, afterwards Governor of Georgia, a bill passed the Legislature in 1889, and an Industrial College for Girls was later founded at Milledgeville, Georgia, where it has been turning out hundreds of girls equipped for
life's struggles. In behalf of the four vital interests represented
in the memorial of the Seventh Convention, Mrs. W. C. Sibley wrote and published in pamphlet form one of the most thrilling heart appeals that has ever been made to any Legislative body, a copy of

HON. SEABORN WRIGHT. Leader of the Prohibition Party.

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which was placed in the hands of each member of the General Assembly.
dffPflt Of r^hihitfcfl1 *n -^1""*" nml i
wether andJVlj/altgnjQQuntiesin_18g.7iL_caiisjed the risigg tide of temperance sentiment to recede temporarily, and from~1888-1889 no prohibition victories__w.firc--. achieved. In_ih,e_meantime the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, through sixteen different depart ments was usingjredoubled energy to arouse the public "tolasense of danger coming through high license, whicji "Eadbeen introduced in Atlanta._Romer_Augusta. and other places as a so-called stepping stone jo prohibition.
At the Eighth Annual Convention which convened in the First Methodist Church, Rome, May 6-8, 1890, the women came armed with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, to slay error as never before. The President's address and Corresponding Secretary's report were filled with scathing rebukes to many who had compro mised with the liquor traffic. Mrs. William H. Felton spoke in her strong inimitable style on, "The Relation of Woman to the Temperance Reform." Her brave sister, Mrs. Mary L. McLendon, gave in a paper irrefut able proof of Atlanta's prosperity and morality under prohibition. Hon. Seaborn Wright, of prohibition fame, Mrs. Chapin, of South Carolina, able helpers from Alabama, Connecticut and Tennessee, together with Georgia's invincible corps of officers, made up a firing line which caused the enemy to gird his loins for renewed attacks.
At the close of this Convention a telegram was received from Col. C. R. Pringle, (who was at that time

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presiding over the Georgia Prohibition Association in session in Atlanta), inviting the body to stop over and attend their Convention, for the purpose of a joint con ference on various interests, notably the Anti-Barroom Bill, which was to be presented at the next Legislature. A large number of the delegation accepted the invita tion, among them, Mrs. W. H. Felton, who is connected with an amusing incident, illustrating the caution of the men and the aggressiveness of the women in that day. After a discussion of the Anti-Barroom Bill, Mr. Carmichael, (a countryman), spoke on the unwisdom of "mixing politics and temperance," thus discouraging any radical move looking to temperance legislation. As he resumed his seat Mrs. Felton, who was then in the prime of her brilliant intellectual strength, sprang to her feet with flashing eyes and fiery indignation; in a torrent of facts she showed how a dilatory and lag ging policy on the part of the temperance forces had given the liquor traffic the reins of government in Geor gia and how the state would be forever under the yoke of the iniquitous curse unless her citizenship arose and demanded prohibition. As she wielded the power ful weapons of wit, satire and pathos, the old man whom she was answering got up from where he was sitting in a split bottom chair, placing it on his head, he walked the full length of the hall where Mrs. Felton was standing and sat down in front of her, his arms resting on his knees and his face in his hands, fixing his eyes upon her until she had finished, when he looked up in utter astonishment and said: "Well! I have not had such a spanking since my mother gave me one!"

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This was followed by uproarous applause. It is need less to say Mrs. Felton carried her point and the Con vention resolved to press with all diligence the interests of the Anti-Barroom Bill. Her consuming zeal was typical of all White Ribboners; the curse had pierced through the heart of the mothers and they could no longer bear delay.
As an evidence that the Woman's Christian Temper ance Union was called of God, any casual reader of its history as recorded in the Annual Reports, can see that when the foe became more determined and waxed stronger, leaders of the organization grew in courage and power, until at times their earnestness became so intense as to quicken the faith and inspire the hope of the most doubting. They made no compromise, heeded no backward step, but holding the banner aloft marched with firm tread against every advocate of any thing less than absolute prohibition. So persistently did they pursue this course, that even some ministers of the Gospel regarded them as agitators of extreme type, and repeatedly advised to go slower and ask for less.

CHAPTER VIII.
INVITED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE THE NATIONAL W. C. T. U. COMES TO ATLANTA, NOVEMBER, 1890--FRANCES WILLAHD, ANNA GORDON, ELIZABETH GREENWOOD AMONG THE SPEAK ERS--MARY H. HUNT, MARY T. LATHROP AND CLARA C. HOFFMAN ADDRESS THE LEGISLATURE--GREAT IMPETUS GIVEN BY NATIONAL CONVENTION.
The Lord giveth the word. The women that publish the tidings are a great host.
--Psalm 68:11.
Prior to the meeting of the National Convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1890 in Atlanta, Georgia, comparatively little was known by the people at large throughout the State of the object and aims of the organization. With no means save the voluntary offerings of the consecrated few, no State organizer or State paper, the Annual Conventions, with here and there a public meeting, and articles through the press wherever the space could be obtained gratui tously, together with the distribution of literature, were practically the only medium by which the people could be informed touching the policy and the purposes of the movement. Being convinced that it was a lack of knowledge of the motives which gave birth to the woman's crusade against the saloon that caused many of Georgia's women to stand aloof from the Union, and believing that the National Convention, with its large

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corps of trained laborers and public speakers, with its great host of women who are not only strongly en dowed intellectually but filled with the spirit, would become an object lesson of irresistible force, Rev. Samuel W. Small, Methodist Evangelist and eloquent advocate of total abstinence, took the initiative in extending an invitation to the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union to hold its next session in 1890 in the capitol of Georgia. He influenced the Legis lature to pass a resolution inviting the body which was endorsed by the Governor--Hon. W. J. Northen, who, as legislator and senator, valiantly fought the battles of prohibition. On November 7th, 1889, the message of Mr. Small was read before the Local Union of Atlanta, by the Secretary, Miss M. H. Stokes. It not only announced the fact that the Legislature and Gov ernor of the State had invited the National to hold its next session in Atlanta, but gave assurance of ample support to the Convention and desired the endorse ment of the invitation by the Union. The Secretary was instructed to reply that while the invitation was endorsed, owing to financial inability the Union could assume no obligation to meet the expense of worthily entertaining so large and distinguished a body. The Union received redoubled assurance that the men would see that funds were provided, and requested that the invitation be sent at once to Miss Willard, who was at that time presiding over the National Convention in session in Chicago. After conferring with Mrs. W. C. Sibley, State President, to whom had been forwarded the action of the Legislature and Chief Executive, the

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State Corresponding Secretary, Miss M. H. Stokes, pre sented the invitation to the Official Board of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union and received cordial acceptance.
Never did Mrs. Sibley, as President, arise in greater strength to the pressing needs of arousing the Unions, especially the local Union of Atlanta, to the import ance of enthusiastic and concerted action in preparing for the Convention. She called a meeting in Atlanta of all Temperance Societies of the city, inviting the ministers of the gospel and every individual interested in the cause of temperance, whom she addressed with earnestness, stating that the feeble band of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union, who, for eight years had stood almost alone in advocating the prin ciples of no compromise with the liquor traffic, had now come to be regarded as a potent factor in push ing the interests of prohibition, therefore she asked the co-operation of every lover of humanity to aid in making it possible that the National Convention, by reason of a magnificent Southern welcome, the princely chivalry of the South, and above all the fervent prayers of Christians, should be made the greatest moral force of any Convention in its history. She explained that the local and State Union had not primarily invited it, but since God had moved the hearts of the highest ruling officials of the State to extend the hand of welcome to her sisters of the National W. C. T. U., the Union throughout the State not only endorsed their action most heartily, but had faith to believe that the expense atttached to the entertainment would be forth-

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coming. At this meeting such enthusiasm was created that the work of preparing for the Convention went forward by leaps and bounds. Mass meetings were held at Trinity Methodist Church addressed by Mrs. Sibley, Dr. J. W. Lee, the pastor, Dr. J. W. Heidt, Pre siding Elder of the Atlanta District, and Rev. Boiling Sassnett, of the Methodist Church, followed by a col lection for Convention expenses. Rev. Sam W. Small and Rev. Sam P. Jones lectured to large crowds and solicited contributions, but a personal canvass of the city by Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Miss M. H. Stokes, yielded a larger return than any public collection.
The generous response of Atlanta's citizenship gave an impetus to the work of the various local committees. The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union sent a committee of skilled, experienced women to co operate with those on the ground in perfecting the final plans. The trustees of Trinity Methodist Church, the leading Methodist Church of the City, tendered the Convention the use of the building with the restric tion that no lectures should be given in either upstairs or downstairs. In view of this the local committee engaged DeGive's Opera House for any lecture which the Convention Program had arranged. The Chairman of the Committee on Entertainment was notified that a formal reception would be tendered the body at the Executive Mansion by Governor and Mrs. Northen. The city papers opened their columns to all notices and communications as well as giving prominence to historical sketches of the National Officers, thus the work and workers were so widely advertised before

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the meeting of the Convention that Georgia and adjoin ing states were apprized of the fact that a body of unusual significance, representing the flower of Amer ican womanhood, standing for the greatest moral re form of the 19th century, was to meet within the gates of Georgia's Capital. The thrill of such a welcome was felt for weeks prior to the meeting. Frances Willard, in her distant Illinois home, and other chief officers, began to feel ere they touched the limits of the Con vention city, the wonderful meeting of a Southern wel come.
On the evening of November the 14th, 1890, the first public meeting of the Convention, Trinity Church was packed to its utmost capacity, the very atmosphere charged with the spirit of cordiality. Addresses of welcome were delivered in behalf of the ministry by Dr. J. W. Lee and Dr. J. W. Heidt, of the Methodist Church; in behalf of the President by Messrs. Claud Bennett, B.F. Abbott, Montgomery Folsom, C. D. Barker, editor of The Southern Star, a strong temperance paper, and Mr. E. M. Evans; in behalf of the Georgia W. C. T. U., Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin. Mrs. Caroline Buell, of Connecticut, Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop, of Michigan, and Miss Kinnear, of South Dakota, re sponded. At that hour when the love and strength of the North, East and West met the love and strength of the South in a glory of a highly developed and consecrated womanhood, surrounded by Georgia's noble sons, standing in the blessing eager to aid,

"Forgotten was each thought and hushed, Save by the foe all were crushed."

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The divine Spirit had filled every heart with love. The White Ribbon, typical of purity and unity, had crossed the line of sectional differences and in one solid phalanx that brave crowd of brave women from every State in the Nation stood hand in hand and heart to heart, pledging to do and dare in the name of American firesides. Sanctified unselfishness, which from the first pervaded the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, not only blotted out sectional lines, but what was infinitely more important, denominational lines. In that great assembly of six hundred delegates and perhaps as many visitors, wondering spectators could but exclaim, "Behold how these Christians love!" From day to day throughout the Convention, while such women as Frances Willard, Anna A. Gordon, Clara C. Hoffman, Mary T. Lathrop, Mary H. Hunt, Elizabeth Greenwood and scores of others spoke with irresistible earnestness, many of Georgia's choicest women and truest men were brought to see that hitherto they had misunderstood the purpose of the organization. Scores of women entered the ranks of the Union, some of whom have developed into leaders of ability and now stand as living witnesses to the unquenchable fires which were there kindled on the altars of their hearts.
We vividly recall Miss Willard's annual message. Standing erect, with manuscript in hand, pale, strongfaced, resolute, declaring the great principles of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, turn ing to the men, she said: "My brothers, do not mis understand us, we are not overstepping our sphere, we are only laboring to get at one end of the line while
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you stand at the other, to help you lift the burdens of the world. We have been indoors enjoying the blessed protection you have given and as we lingered in selfish ease we heard the voice of a dying brother and a cry of a sister pleading for us to join hands with you in driving back the greatest enemy of the home--the legalized saloon." After twenty years of wondrous persuasion of her musical voice, the tender grace of her gentle bearing, the weight of her invincible logic, the hushed silence which fell upon that listening multitude as she plead for fallen humanity, comes as a thrilling uplift. In DeGive's Opera House on Sunday afternoon she again spoke on "The Necessity of Love and Marriage." At the same hour Mrs. Zerelda Wallace, mother of General Lew Wallace, of Ben-Hur fame, delivered an address on "Woman Suffrage," carrying such conviction with her arguments as to cause that large Southern audience to rise and wave their handkerchiefs at the close, in approval.
Many of the churches of the city were open to the delegates on Sabbath morning. A profound im pression was made by a discourse from Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop, of Michigan, who was an ordained minister of the Congregational Church, delivered in Dr. Haw thorne's pulpit of the First Baptist Church. Large, vigorous, with the glow of health in her cheeks, the lines of strength and resolute purpose written in her face, standing with the calmness of a well poised char acter, deliberate in manner, free from gesture, she appeared as one who knewthe truth and whom the truth had made free. There was an absence of effort to

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please or appeal either to the emotion or to prevailing opinions. She was there to reason of righteousness and of the judgment to come. Gaining momentum as she proceeded, the consciences of her hearers were so stirred that there was visible emotion on the part of many, among them, Dr. Hawthorne himself, who sat upon the platform at her side. Those who came to see a woman in a pulpit and hear a woman preach because of the novelty, forgot that she was a woman and began to ask, "What must I do to be saved?"
Both the ministrations on the Sabbath and the delib erations of the Convention, brought hundreds of Geor gians to recognize the fact that woman could speak in public and not only retain her womanly dignity and graciousness, but become in the hands of God a mighty agency for good. The perfect decorum, beautiful cour tesy, ready dispatch of business, strict adherence to parliamentary usage, self-command under exciting debates, and above all the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit setting the seal of His approval upon the work, made a deep and enduring impression on those who attended. Prestige was given the State Union by reason of its vital connection with the National organization and a powerful stimulus infused into its fifteen departments.
Not the least among the beneficent results of the Convention was its quickening effects upon the flagging forces of prohibition in the State. The Legislature, which was then in session, was addressed by Mrs. Mary H. Hunt on "A Scientific Temperance Instruction Law;" also Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop and Mrs.

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Clara C. Hoffman on "National Prohibition," A Com mittee composed of Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, and Mrs. Walter B. Hill met a joint committee from the House and Senate and in a fervent appeal Mrs. Hunt showed how every State in the Union save seven, had adopted such a law and with what farreaching results.
A marked courtesy was extended the Georgia W. C. T. U. by the Convention, in allowing six voting dele gates from so small an organization. Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Miss M. H. Stokes, Miss Emmie Stewart, and Mrs. Claiborne Sneed were granted the privilege of ex-officio members, Mrs. Walter B. Hill as delegate at large and Mrs. Marguerite Candler for five hundred paying mem bers.
The broadness and intensity of the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union through its thirty departments of prevention touching well-nigh every phase of life, was a revelation to many Georgians who were brought to see that after a generation of such education and agitation, prohibition would naturally follow. On demonstration night, Miss Anna Gordon, World's Secretary of the Loyal Temperance Legion, with her host of trained children; Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, with scientific temperance in the public schools, and others representing the Press Department, Medal Contest, Sabbath Observance, Flower Mission, Sunday School Work, Health and Heredity, and most of all the Evangelistic, the great dynamo of the movement, together with the twenty-one others of vital significance, offered convincing proof that the liquor traffic would be

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forced out of quarters through the laws of cause and

'

effect, and though the weapons of their warfare were

I

peaceful, yet they were mighty through God to the

|

pulling down of strongholds. Under the blazing

light of knowledge turned on by this heaven-born

;

movement, the people through their ruling authorities,

would rise up and shake off the yoke which had

dragged them down for more than a hundred years.

The intelligence of the State of Georgia recognizing this,

blessed the women who came as an object lesson in

their midst, and as the great Convention closed the

unity of the Spirit and the bond of love which had per

vaded the body from the first service, so deepened and

widened, that the benedictions of Heaven were pro

nounced upon all hearts. Since that glad day there has

been to Georgia White Ribboners touching their pur

poses, no North and no South, but one grand Union

bounded by love, one consuming and all absorbing aim,

i

to uplift, purify and ennoble fallen humanity until the



very ends of the earth shall break forth into singing, and

the glory of the Lord cover the earth as the waters

cover the sea!

CHAPTER IX.
STATE CONVENTION AT THOMASV1LLE, 1891--MRS. MARY T. LATHROP THE SPEAKER--CONVENTION AT MILLEDGEVILLE 1892--MBS. SALLIE F. CHAPIN AND MRS. FELTON SPEAK-- FIVE PROHIBITION COUNTIES ADDED--DISPENSARY ESTAB LISHED IN ATHENS--S. T. I. LAW DEFEATED THE THIRD TIME IN LEGISLATCRE--CONVENTION IN 1893 AT MACON-- OPPOSITION OF LEADING BAPTIST MINISTERS--NORTH GEORGIA M. E. CONFERENCE REFUSES ENDORSEMENT-- MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, MRS. W. H. FELTON, AND MRS. LELLA A. DILLARD DEFEND THE W. C. T. U.--WOMAN SUF FRAGE CONTROVERSY SET AT REST.
Not a truth has to art or science been given but brows have ached for it, and souls toiled and striven.
--Owen Meredith.
Only a cursory review of the work of 1891 will show the inspirational influence of the National organization which met in Atlanta the year previous. Old Unions were revived and large numbers added to their mem bership, this being notably true of the two Atlanta Unions, where the roll of members increased to one hundred and eighty. More new Unions were formed than at any period of its history and with greater enthusiasm. At the State Convention which convened at Thomasville, Georgia, in the Methodist Church, April 11-15, the spirit of praise and gratitude pervaded all hearts for the phenomenal progress of the work. As

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has been seen prior to this, no national officer had been engaged save at long intervals and for a short space to canvass the State in the interest of the cause, but through the momentum gained by the National Con vention, Mrs. M. L. Wells, of Tennessee, organizer and lecturer was put in the field. Through her efforts Unions were established at Greensboro, White Plains, Perry, Athens and Union Point. At some places the women were so eager to undertake the work that they did not wait for an organizer, but enlisted the most sympathetic element to the temperance cause and or ganized themselves. The ministers were more ready to assist in the work and open their churches for the use of the organization than perhaps at any time in the past.
At Meriwether Station, Baldwin County, where there existed a strong temperance sentiment, Rev. J. J. Ansley, of the South Georgia Conference, and Pastor of the Baldwin Circuit, on May 17th, 1890, preached a temperance sermon in Bethel Church of his charge, after which, amid great enthusiasm, he organized a W. C. T. U. with 53 members, among them some of the wisest and truest workers that have ever blessed the State organization. At Haddock's Station, in the same charge but located in Jones County, he organized an other historic Union of 24 members, with Mrs. L. E. Farriss, a woman of superior excellence and superb gifts, as president. The following year the State Union elected her as Superintendent of the Evangelistic De partment, which office she filled with gracious results to the day of her triumphant death. These two Unions have been a joy to every State officer, since their birth,

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fostered by the Myricks, Harpers, Hardemans, Fin-
nerys, and Normans, the latter sisters to Mrs. Farriss. They enjoy the unique distinction of being the only two Unions in the State so far as the record shows up to date, that were organized by a minister. Not only on the Baldwin Circuit but at every other place, the founder of these Unions lent his presence, prayers, counsel and encouragement to the cause.
At the Convention in Thomasville two new depart
ments were adopted, that of Temperance Literature with Mrs. Isabella Webb Parks as Superintendent, and Medal Contest, with Mrs. Mary L. McLendon as Superintend ent, who from that time, through twenty years has served the office not only faithfully and effectually, but with exceptional ability. The name of Mrs. J. Jefferson Thomas, one of the most earnest workers of the early days, was also added to the roster as Reporter for the official organ, the Union Signal. The Treasury showed an increase of nearly one hundred dollars over the past year, and a resolution was passed ordering $20.00 per month paid from the Treasury to Miss M. H. Stokes, Corresponding Secretary--the first time in the history of the State Union a stipulated amount had been appro priated from the Treasury to any officer.
The world has not known a body of more consecrated or unselfish laborers than these heroines of the pioneer days. At this Convention the first Charter was ob tained for the Union through the gratuitous efforts of Hon. Walter B. Hill.* The spirit and work of the body deeply impressed the citizens of Thomasville and lent a stimulus to the local Union.
*See Appendix.

MRS. LELLA A. DILLARD.

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At the closing service, after an eloquent appeal had been made to a large audience by Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop, of Michigan, who was termed the "Daniel Webster of the W. C. T. U.," more than one hundred signed the total abstinence pledge and became members.
The year following the work moved forward with increasing strength and purpose. A full and earnest delegation attended the Annual Convention which convened in the Methodist Church of Milledgeville, Georgia, May 13-17. Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin and Mrs. W. H. Felton were present and spoke "in the power and demonstration of the Spirit." The President's Annual Message was of such unusual interest as to cause the body to request that it be repeated at an evening hour. The jubilant notes of victory were again sounded in the Corresponding Secretary's Report. Gwinnett County had gone for prohibition by 689 majority. Gilmer and Cherokee Counties, under the combined efforts of the "three mile law" and municipal elections declared for prohibition, Whitfield and Dooley Counties had also scored signal victories. There was only one sad note in the song of triumph--Clarke County, which in 1885 had, by a popular vote of 1,062 against 492, gone for prohibition, this year established a "dispensary" in the city of Athens. Some of the leading men of thought and action in the State, deemed the "dispensary" system the solution of the liquor question--many of the strong est prohibitionists, among them a number of preachers, were thus persuaded. We recall hearing a Presby terian Minister at a Temperance Mass Meeting in Greene County, in a speech favoring the "dispensary

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method" as a step toward prohibition, say: "We had better take a half loaf than no loaf at all." Thus it was thought that a compromise with the liquor traffic was essential. But the Woman's Christian Temper ance Union of Georgia from the first gave no uncertain sound against the subtile delusion of this monster evil, the dispensary.
Among other gains, as shown by the Annual Reports, was that of Juvenile Work under the superintendency of Miss Lily Reynolds. Such excellent progress had been made that Georgia stood second in the contest for the Juvenile Ranner at the National Convention in Roston. Good work had been done also among the colored people under the leadership of Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley at Union Point, Mrs. A. M. Street at Summerville, and Mrs. Mary Walton at Tallapoosa, a colored Union having been formed at each of these places.
Many important petitions had been circulated in the interest of local and national work, among them the petition for the Sunday closing of the World's Fair at Chicago, and the Polyglot Petition to the Governments of every country for the abolition of liquor and opium.
At a number of Teacher's Institutes in the State and the State Teachers' Convention, representatives of the organization spoke in interest of Temperance Physiology asking for its introduction into all schools. Persistent and united effort was made to secure the passage of a Scientific Temperance Instruction Law, requiring such teaching in the public schools, but was met with defeat the third time in the Legislature.

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Two new Departments were adopted, Social Purity, with Mrs. Belle G. Abbott as Superintendent, and Work Among Miners, with Mrs. S. A. Kirby as Super intendent. Few changes were made in the State Officers, and only one in the Official Board. Owing to family affliction, that noble and devoted toiler, Miss M. H. Stokes, was forced to resign and Mrs. E. E. Freeman, of Cartersville, was elected in her stead.
Just as the Minutes of this Convention were published and ready for delivery they were destroyed by fire in the Augusta Chronicle Building. While some of the matter could not be replaced, so full are the details, that a casual reader would notice no omission. Another instance of the faithful, painstaking care of these progenitors of Temperance truth.
The Annual Convention of 1893, held in the First Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia, April 25-28, though showing some advance in the formation of new Unions and in the renewed zeal of those already established, yet the net gains for the year fell far below the gains of the previous year.
After the National Convention of 1890, in Atlanta, it had been demonstrated how the women for the two succeeding years rallied to the cause and in the last year how victories were won in different counties, largely as a result of earnest and united efforts of the Union co-operating with the State Temperance Associa tion led by Colonel C. R. Pringle. Some of the strongest women of the State had been awakened to duty by the National Convention and came into the Union. Life and vigor characterized every branch of work. There

History of the
was perfect unanimity of thought and purpose. It seemed that they had climbed the last hill of difficulty and were ready to move at a rapid pace, when a few influential ministers in the Methodist and Baptist Churches, began to oppose the organization with a violence which threatened its life. Rev. Dr. McDonald, editor of the Christian Index, the official organ of the Baptist Church of Georgia, and Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, published articles attacking the teachings of Frances Willard on the subject of woman's relation to the ministry and marriage. They claimed that Miss Willard was "press ing women into the gospel ministry, as preachers and leaders, contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures;" that she was attempting "to revolutionize the social system and contemplating the most thorough and radi cal change in ancient or modern times;" "that the principles set forth in her Annual Message given at Chicago in 1892, was a subversion of the relations of woman and marriage."
Mrs. William C. Sibley, President of the Georgia W. C. T. U-, replied to these criticisms. After stating that she did not believe with Miss Willard, "that women should enter the ministry as ordained teachers of the gospel," she says: "I do not follow her leading in this and I believe the majority of the W. C. T. U. are with me, certainly those of the South, but we do not contend with her any more than we would contend with you for being a Baptist. The Woman's Christian Temper ance Union is not sectarian, there is perfect liberty and freedom of thought, we are united only on the essentials

Georgia W. C. T. U.
of tlic organization--that of rescuing humanity from the drink curse and saving souls."
She showed how Miss Willard had endeavored to glorify motherhood and create pure homes by teaching the Scriptural doctrine, that no Christian should be "unequally yoked with an unbeliever." It was made clear that she heartily approved of marriage which honored God but opposed those where father or mother cast oft' Christ and the children were left to the world and themselves. Mrs. Siblcy sent her reply to the Christian Index in which Dr. McDonald's article ap peared. He, as editor, refused its publication. She forwarded it to the Atlanta Constitution, where only a synopsis was given. She then mailed it to The Advance, a strong temperance paper edited by Mr. E. M. Evans, and containing a Department conducted by the Ga. W. C.T.U. It was there printed in full with an editorial note explaining that it had been refused by the Christian Index and given only in part by the Atlanta Constitu tion. She replied also to Dr. J. B. Hawthorne on the same line as did Mrs. W. H. Felton, who was one of Georgia's most forceful writers and speakers. These attacks by two of the most prominent men in the Baptist Church in Georgia had a harmful effect upon the Temperance work as represented by the W. C. T. U., but the action of the North Georgia Conference in the fall of 1892, had still greater effect in cooling the ardor of the workers for the cause.
At the session of the above named Conference Rev. W. W. Bays, of the Methodist Church of Rome, Georgia, as Chairman of the Temperance Com-

History of the
mittee, introduced a resolution endorsing the work of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The resolution was opposed by Dr. War ren A. Candler, now Bishop of the Southern Methodist Church, on the ground that the organization was con nected with the National W. C. T. U. which approved of woman's suffrage. A heated debate followed, led in the opposition by Dr. Candler, and for the "endorse ment" by Dr. W. W. Wadsworth. When the motion was put the Conference refused to pass the resolution endorsing the Union.
A few weeks later the Wesleyan Christian Advocate, the official organ of the Georgia and Florida Confer ences, published numerous articles for and against the action of the Conference. Dr. Candler, in defense of his position, charged the National W. C. T. U. with using subtle efforts to indoctrinate the women of the South in woman suffrage, claiming that though the Georgia W. C. T. U. might now be free as an organization from any such influence, and their purpose as avowed only to propagate the temperance cause, yet through the teachings of the National organ, the Union Signal, and by attendance upon the National Convention, listening to arguments made on these oc casions, they would gradually come to believe in woman suffrage and seek it. Therefore he exhorted the Methodist Church to refuse her endorsement and sym pathy to the movement, unless the State Union with drew from the National. He was seconded in his opposition by Bishop Atticus G. Haygood, of the Southern Methodist Church, though he was not so per-

Georgia W. C. T. U.
sistent or continuous in his opposition. Dr. Candler's articles were answered by Mrs. W. C. Sibley, State Presi dent Georgia W. C. T. U., Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, now Vice-President of the State Union, Mrs. W. H. Felton, Mrs. M. L. McLendon, Professor Henry A. Scomp, at that time filling the chair of ancient languages in Emory College, Oxford, Georgia, and many others. In the replies it was shown that the Georgia W. C. T. U., and every other State Union connected with the National organization had the constitutional right to reject any department of work they saw fit and were bound to the National only by the total abstinence pledge; that the question of woman suffrage had never been mentioned in any of their Conventions and that they had never adopted the suffrage department, as a body having one and only one purpose, the overthrow of the liquor traffic and the salvation of souls. The controversy was at white heat when the Convention met in the First Baptist Church, Macon, April 25-28,1893.
The eyes of the world were looking on to witness the action of the Union which had so long been under fire. In order to show the admirable spirit of Mrs. William C. Sibley, leader of the State work, we give a paragraph from her Annual Address delivered at this Convention, bearing upon the question under contro versy. After referring to the difficulties which had hindered the work during the year, she says: "Other threatening shadows have crossed our path in the refusal of the North Georgia Conference to 'endorse' us because of our connection with the National Union and its Woman's Suffrage, and the more recent opposition

/ i t

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of our onoo staunch friend and helper. Dr. Candlor, in his appeal to the Methodist Church to 'close its doors against us unless wo withdrew from the National Union and its Suffrage tendency.' First let me state that the appeal for 'endorsement* did not come from the \V. C. T. r. of Georgia. It had nothing to do with it, and vas surprised when it was done. The good min ister. Dr. \V. W. Bays, who offered the resolution may have done so at the suggestion of some local member, or simply to 'help those women* who were laboring to rescue perishing souls. In either case we thank him for his desire to encourage us and will ever hold his brotherly act in appreciative rememberancc. As to "dissolving* connection with our Northern sisters who have so long been our comrades in arms, it is not to bo thought of for a moment. The organization that was born of suffering and baptized with tears, that has stood together in unbroken ranks through years of trial, difficulties, opposition, persecution, discourage ment and numerous defeats will neither be intimidated or coerced into dissolution; neither will it fall to pieces voluntarily, unless something more threatening and less hopeful than woman suffrage presents itself.
""We grieve over the disaffection of the grand body, the North Georgia Conference, that has so long been our friend and helper, and shall miss its kindly good will and protection, and also deplore the withdrawal of Dr. Candler's friendship, but feel assured that the time will come when they will see their mistake. They refuse to 'endorse' the W. C. T. U., but we heartily endorse them on the step they have taken to secure

Georgia W. C. T. U.

U5

scientific temperance instruction in the public schools. For eleven years the Georgia W. C. T. U. has faithfully, prayerfully and persistently appealed to the Legislature in behalf of such a law. We congratulate our brothers upon this advanced step against the liquor traffic, for it is time the Church of God was doing something more than simply passing resolutions of condemnation against the great enemy of Christ and human souls. As to our connection with the 'woman suffrage' movement you of this body bear witness that the question has never been mentioned in our Conventions, nor been adopted as a part of our work, and that we are free to reject or adopt as we will. We have hitherto shunned the very idea, to say nothing of a discussion, but as by the action of the North Georgia Conference and Dr. Candler's attacks, the question is thrust upon us for discussion and decision, let us pray God to direct, bearing ourselves in a way worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus."
This section of the President's message was referred to the Committee on Resolutions who, later in the Conven tion, brought in the following preamble and resolution which were adopted:
"WHEREAS, in the minds of many the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia is regarded as a propagator of woman suffrage, it is due the dignity of this body and the people of Georgia, that its position be clearly defined: Therefore,
RESOLVED, that as a State organization, we, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia, de clare it to be the duty of this Convention to adopt only
(10)

H6

History of the

those principles espoused and plans devised by the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union that are best suited to the needs of our Southern work, and that while re-affirming our loyalty to the National Union, we hereby believe that woman suffrage is not conducive to the best interests of our cause in Georgia."
For several weeks after the adjournment of the Con vention articles pro and con on the controverted point were published in the Wesleyan Christian Advocate. The issue of May the 17th contained the resolutions adopted by the Georgia W. C. T. U. Convention on the suffrage question, together with the following editorial by its broad and spiritual editor, Dr. W. F. Glenn, of the North Georgia Conference. He says: "We publish this week, along with several papers on the woman's suffrage matter, the resolutions passed by the last W. C. T. U. Convention of Georgia. As will be seen they do not think it wise to adopt the woman's suffrage feature in their work. This resolution, if we understand the situation, answers the question raised by many, of endorsing the W. C. T. U. The objection to endorsing that organization was the woman's rights element that was thought to be a part of the Georgia W. C. T. U., as well as of others, but as the Georgia Convention de clares itself opposed to the features being incorporated in the work and puts itself on a 'legitimate' line of tem perance work, we think their declaration should be accepted and the question put at rest."
It was "put at rest" for a time but not until the State Union had received well-nigh a death blow at the hands of three of Georgia's strongest preachers in the

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Baptist and Methodist Churches. The powerful in fluence of Dr. Candler did more to cripple the work, however, than the combined attacks of Dr. Hawthorne and Dr. McDonald, of the Baptist Church. The Method ist Church, from the days of Susanna Wesley, the Mother of Methodism, had nourished the cause of tem perance and encouraged her women to engage in all manner of good work. Not Frances Willard alone, a& is commonly supposed, is responsible for the existence of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Back of Frances Willard's golden deed was the golden Scrip tural teachings of God's word on the duty of Christian women to be ready for every good word and work which she had heard from childhood as taught by the Methodist Church.
Back of her call to service in this vast field of unlim ited usefulness, was the preaching from Methodist pul pits bidding all of God's children thrust in the sickle and gather the harvest for Christ. Her response to the call was only the logical result of Methodist teaching which had been given her from infancy. She went forth as the leader of the W. C. T. U. with the bene diction of the Methodist Church pronounced upon her, the Methodist Church was everywhere open to her when other Christian Churches less sympathetic to woman's work were closed.
In Georgia the State Union had been born in a Methodist Church, six out of ten of its Annual Conven tions had been held in Methodist Churches, the Method ist preachers lending their presence, prayers, counsel and encouragement. The world knew these facts.

History of the
Therefore, when a few high in authority and of farreaching influence in the church, which had made such a record, advised that her doors be closed against the organization unless there was a withdrawal from the National Union, (which meant death to the cause at that stage of its history), it was but natural to suppose that there must be a strong compelling reason for such opposition. It was an almost mortal wound in the house of its friends. After the Convention in 1893 clearly stated that the Union had no connection with the suffrage movement, women feared to engage in a work which had been even suspected of encouraging so dangerous an innovation. Dr. Candler made a strong appeal to the conservatism of ^the State, and those who could not have been influenced by any other argu ment, yielded to the pressure of opposition at this point and drew out of the Union one by one, and for the same reason others refused to come in, until the State work was almost paralyzed.
The delegation to the Convention in 1894, lacked only two of being reduced to one-half of that of the previous year. The State officers fought the battle practically alone with wondrous faith and patience, enduring as seeing Him who was invisible, they moved on slowly but with steadfast purpose. The lineal descendants of the heroic crusaders who, for love of God and humanity, knelt on the snow in front of a barroom praying God to convict its keeper and close its doors, who had been shut out of Christ's Church and forced to rent a hall in which to hold their meetings, were not to be overcome by a wave of opposition, though it came

Georgia W. C. T. V. from members of its own household. With faith which is higher than reason, they knew that somehow they would be more than conquerors through Him that loved them.
3
t
f

CHAPTER X.
CONVENTION AT ROME, 1894--RESULTS OF MINISTERIAL OPPO SITION--GREAT PETITION PRESENTED TO LEGISLATURE FOR S. T. I. BILL WITHOL'T SUCCESS--CONVENTION AT SAVANNAH 1895 SMALL BUT DETERMINED--SPEAKERS, MISS KEARNEY, MRS. JENNIE HABT SIBLEY, MRS. MARY McGHEE SNELL-- CONVENTION OF 1896 AT BRUNSWICK--MISS KEARNEY SPEAKS GRANDLY--LECTURE BUREAU ESTABLISHED--LEC TURES AT COTTON STATES EXPOSITION IN ATLANTA BY FRAN CES B. BEAUCHAMP, KATHEBINE LENT STEVENSON, HELEN M. BARKER--DEATH OF MRS. SALLIE F. CHAPIN, THE "GREATHEART" OF THE \V. C. T. U.
"The time has come when men of heart and brains Must rise and take the misdirected reins of Governments; too long left in the hands of laggards. He \vho stands and sees the mighty vehicle of state Hauled through the mire to some ignoble fate, And makes no such bold protest as he can, Is no American."
The strenuous opposition to the State organization from 1892 to 1894, as outlined in the foregoing chapter, acted so powerfully upon the work that its accom plishments were reduced to one-half that of pre vious years. At the annual Convention held in the First Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia, May 25-28, 1894, thirty-two out of fifty-four Unions sent no report. The Treasury showed $341.00 against $590.00 in 1893. Some of the Methodist Churches had closed their doors to the Union. The Milledgeville local Union was forced

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to hold its public meeting in the Court House in Atlanta. A Methodist minister refused to read the announcement of a public meeting of the Union in Oxford, where the opposition was perhaps stronger than at any point in the State. The announcements of the meetings of the local Union were not read in the Methodist Church, and an effort was made by Dr. Warren A. Candler, at that time President of Emory College located at Oxford, Georgia, to induce the Oxford Union to secede from the State Union, owing to the fact that the State Union decided to continue to affiliate with the National Union. In Conyers the Methodist Church was refused for the use of the Fifth District W. C. T. U. Convention. The Baptists at that place having built a new church, they consented to allow the officers to hold their meeting in the old Baptist Church building which had been closed for some time.
Notwithstanding the depleted treasury, the thinning of the ranks and lack of co-operation on the part of many of the churches, the officers in charge of the Annual Convention of 1894, never displayed greater zeal or more resolute purpose. They were strength ened by what had been accomplished. They had lived to see some of the fruitage of their early seed sowing. In 1884 they had appealed for separate prisons for men and women, and urged the separation of juvenile of fenders from hardened criminals; this had been granted. They had petitioned for the establishment of a house of refuge for penitent fallen women, and while the State Legislature, to whom the prayer had been made, refused to make the appropriation, yet the aggi-

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tation caused an arrest of thought which resulted in private homes for the purpose being founded in differ ent cities, notably in Augusta where incalculable good had been done. For eleven years they had been plead ing for the passage of a Scientific Temperance Instruc tion Law in Georgia, and though the petition had been repeatedly refused by the Legislature, at last the strong men of Georgia had taken it up and were pressing its claim. The very body--the North Georgia Conference --which refused their endorsement to the State Union the year previous, passed resolutions pledging them selves to united effort in behalf of the law. If the work they had originated, and for which they had labored twelve years, was coming to be recognized as essential by voters of the commonwealth, what need for discour agement? They had come to establish the truth on alcoholic and other humanitarian questions and did not expect to fail until they had set judgment in the earth. Not a note of fear or unbelief was sounded at the Convention.
The District Presidents, which had, since 1888, been a strong arm of the work, planned more definitely than ever in the past. It was resolved that they be empowered to appoint County Presidents, each to organize her county and report quarterly to the Dis trict Presidents. More strenuous efforts were to be put forth in securing a Scientific Temperance Instruction Law. Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, founder of Scientific Instruc tion in the public schools, was to be engaged to address the Legislature on the merits of the measure. Mrs. Mary L. McLendon, who was placed in charge of this

MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY, OF UNION POINT, Second President of the Georgia W. C. T. U.

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feature of the work, was directed to send out petitions to be signed by the voters of Georgia, as well as the women and children, asking that such a law be enacted. As a result of this concentrated effort, in November of 1894, a petition six yards in length was presented to the Legislature, but the fourth time met refusal. However, a promise was given that it would be considered at the next session.
At the Annual Convention of 1895, held in the Sunday School room of Trinity Methodist Church, Savannah, Georgia, April 25-28, there were only thirteen Unions represented, but the delegation was composed of an invincible corps of workers who were like the drum beater in Napoleon's army under defeat, when com manded by Napoleon to beat a retreat said: "I know no retreat, you have taught me to beat only a charge." Though small in number and over-ridden by opposition, yet they were at their post to charge the enemy, the great Captain of their salvation had taught them no retreat. A mental picture of glorious inspiration rises before us as we recall that heroic band. We see Mrs. William C. Sibley, the incarnation of conquering faith, her noble brow crowned with a wealth of silver hair hastened to its beautiful whiteness, through suffering for God. At her side Mrs. Walter B. Hill, with a patriotic fire equal to Patrick Henry, demanded freedom from the liquor traffic ere America be called the land of the free and the home of the brave; the gentle saint, Mrs. M. S. A. Webb, whose very presence inspired hope; and that marvelous woman, Mrs. A. M. Street, who fought the enemy to his death wherever she made an attack,

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spending in one year $114.00, to further the cause in her home town, Summerville; and the intrepid Jennie Hart Sibley, whom God had called in the stillness of the night while the waves of anguish swept over her soul to come forward and stand in the breach, and who became, two years later, as will be seen, the restorer of paths for men to dwell in; the faithful Mrs. Sarah J. Blanchard. Mrs. C. H. Smith, Mrs. S. S. Bouchelle, Mrs. J. A. Thomas, Mrs. S. P. Harvey, Mrs. J. T. Norris, Mrs. M. C. Ro\ve, Mrs. John S. Moore, then elected State Treasurer, and many others,whose names are written in the Book of Life. The very heavens bend in blessings over their record to-daj-. Eight years before they had, in this same city, rented the Masonic Temple in which they held their Fifth Annual Convention, now they came to Christ's Church, greeted by many of His serv ants.
Two of the strongest women of the South, Mrs. Mary McGhee Snell and Miss Belle Kearney, of Mississippi, were present to aid in this Convention. A letter of greeting from Rev. A. J. Hughes, the wise counselor and encourager of the Georgia W. C. T. U. in its dark hours, was received, also an invitation from Hon. Walter B. Hill, Chairman of the Anti-Barroom Committee, who had called a Convention to meet in Athens, Georgia, the 8th of May, asking that delegates be sent from the W. C. T. U. Among the notable features of the Convention, was an eloquent address delivered on Sunday after noon by Miss Belle Kearney on "The Responsibility of Christian Men to Prohibition, or How Will Your Hands Look in the Search Light?" At the evening hour Mrs.

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Snell gave an earnest Gospel address, which thoroughly aroused her great audience.
But perhaps the most substantial encouragement came to the workers of this Convention through a re view of the W. C. T. U. from its organization in 1874, by Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley. She pointed out that among other achievements the Age of Consent had been raised in all English speaking countries from ten to fourteen years, the children of the public schools in every State in the Nation, save three, (Georgia being one out of that number), had been required to be taught the evil effects of alcohol and other narcotics upon the human system. The International Sunday School Association had, through the appeal of Miss Willard, provided quarterly temperance lessons to be taught regularly in the Sunday Schools. A National Temperance Hospital had been founded where it had been demonstrated that alcohol was unnecessary in the treatment of disease. Through the education of public sentiment total abstinence had become to be so respect ed that the wine glass was rejected at the highest social functions. Secretary Carlisle, having only a few days previous given a dinner to President Cleveland, at which not a drop of intoxicating beverages was served.
No distinctive line of work was undertaken except a more persistent effort, if possible, was to be made in behalf of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Law, and a pledge to heartily co-operate with the men in laboring to secure the passage of the "Anti-Barroom Bill." A few changes were made in the State officers. Miss Emmie Stewart, of Oxford, Georgia, who, for

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eleven j-ears served the organization faithfully and effectively as Recording Secretary, resigned and Miss Lily Reynolds, of Lithia Springs, was elected in her stead. Mrs. Maggie W. Scomp, President of the Oxford Union since its organization in 1882, and for seven years Superintendent of the important Department of Scien tific Temperance Instruction, also resigned, on account of her husband's removal from Oxford, where he had for many years filled the Chair of Greek with marked distinction. He wrought one of the most enduring and far-reaching works among the student body of Emory College, as well as becoming one of the central figures in the prohibition movement of Newton County.
Mrs. Scomp's place was filled by Mrs. Margaret Chandler, of Atlanta. The Departments of Relative Statistics and Flower Mission were dropped and that of Press Work taken up, with Mrs. J. T. Norris as Superintendent.
At the closing of the year of 1895, the opposition which had caused the Union to suffer to so large an extent in numbers and enthusiasm, began to subside to some degree. The hand of good will, at least in a few places, was extended, and the officers thanked God and took courage. Brunswick had invited the Annual Con vention for 1896 and when it convened there in the First Baptist Church, a welcome of unusual warmth was given. The first time in the history of the State Union, had the Mayor of any city greeted them in person. Mayor Dunwoody not only delivered the wel come in behalf of the City, but pronounced a glowing eulogy upon the work of the organization. When the

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Committee on Invitation was tendered the Baptist Church for the use of the Convention, a young man of that church remarked that he wanted the motherhood of Georgia to have his church and do as they wished. This beautiful chivalric statement, repeated from the platform in open Convention, by Mrs. M. C. Ro\ve, Pres ident of the local Union, was received with applause and the Chautauqua salute. The delegates were given a drive by the citizens around the Boulevard, and im mediately after adjournment were tendered a trip to St. Simon's Island.
One of the South's most brilliant daughters, Miss Belle Kearney, of Mississippi, was present to aid by public appeal and private counsel. At an evening hour she gave a notable address on "Why Are the Wheels Clogged," which called forth the highest commendation from the Brunswick Times-Advertiser. Notwithstanding the effect of the wave of opposition on the State work, only seven Unions sending reports against sixteen for 1895, thirty-two for 1894 and fortysix for 1892, when the opposition began, yet there was never greater zeal displayed or more determination evidenced by the officers to go forward. The motto suggested by Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley and adopted for the year was Exodus 14:15, "Speak unto the Children of Isreal that they go forward." God used Belle Kearney as His chosen vessel to speak with a tongue of fire, both to the Convention and to the people at large. It is a fact worthy of note that as Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, the golden hearted heroine of the Southern Woman's Chris tian Temperance Union, was laid aside by enfeebled

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health and could go no more out to proclaim the gospel of purity and prohibition, this wonderful crown jewel in the Father's Kingdom--Belle Kearney, of Mississippi --was raised up to take her place to aid the hosts of Israel in the Georgia W. C. T. U. The Convention bears the marks of her convictions.
The plan of work and resolutions, of which she \vas chairman, has the ring of marching orders. Three new departments were taken up--The Depart ment of Young Woman's Work, with Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley as Superintendent, the Department of Parliamentary Law, with Mrs. H. E. Smith as Superintendent, and the Department of Parlor Meetings, with Mrs. E. T. Bartlett as Superintendent. A Lecture Bureau was also established with Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley and Mrs. J. A. Thomas as Directors, their duty being to secure speakers and organizers to develop State work and mark out the campaigns of these speakers and organizers. It was resolved to again urge the passage of a Scientific Tem perance Instruction Law, Georgia being at this time one of only two States that had refused to enact such a measure. It was thought that for the shame of such a reproach, if for no other reason, the Legislature might grant their petition. Co-operation was also pledged the Georgia prohibitionists to use every available means of pressing to passage the Anti-Barroom Bill. Another advanced step was taken in the election of Mrs. Walter B. Hill as editor of The Motive.
Though only seven Unions reported at this Conven^ tion, much excellent work had been accomplished,

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notably through the Atlanta Unions. Large quantities of Literature had been distributed at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, sent from almost every point in the United States and Canada by representatives of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. H. M. Tripp had been paid $25.00 per month to care for the W. C. T. U. exhibit in the Woman's Building. The Board of Directors of the Exposition had been peti tioned to forbid the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Exposition Grounds. Only one vote, however, was cast for its exclusion, that of Hon. W. A. Hemphill, who was one of the truest and bravest champions of prohibition Georgia ever produced. During the three and one-half months of the Exposition many temperance addresses were given in the Assembly Hall of the Woman's Build ing, under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. Among the speakers were Mrs. Frances B. Beauchamp,of Kentucky, Mrs. Katherine Lent Stevenson, Mrs. Josephine R. Nicholson, Mrs. Mary Frost Ormsby and Mrs. Helen M. Barker. At these meetings collections were taken for the cause and many members were obtained. The farreaching results of these notable addresses cannot be estimated, as they were heard by men and women from every state in the nation and by hundreds of young people who had never before had a thought on their relation to the temperance cause.
This Convention was made memorable, not only by the cordial welcome given at Brunswick and the im petus received for more strenuous endeavors, but for the shadow which fell upon the body in the death of Sallie Flournoy Chapin. On April 19th, just prior to

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the Convention, her eloquent tongue was stilled forever. Serenely pure,divinely strong,she poured the full tide of her marvelous oratory into the channels of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union for eleven con secutive years. Is there wonder that her comrades were silent before God in recognition of their loss? He only, understood what she meant to the organization. Mrs. W. C. Sibley, her faithful and devoted friend, told with beautiful tenderness at the memorial hour, how South Carolina honored her matchless daughter and of how Georgia was bereaved. Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley moved that a fitting monument be erected by the South ern States in memory of Mrs. Chapin, and that Georgia take the initiative by appointing a committee to cor respond with officers of various states in the South, inviting their aid and determining what form the move ment should assume. Mrs. Sibley, as the friend of Mrs. Chapin and the mover of the resolution, was placed in charge of this duty. With what diligence, devotion and delicacy she performed it will be shown in the next chapter.

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H. CUZABCTH WHCELCM

WORLD'S
Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

HIM ALICE H. FAUiCH. Frklo. Irrdiaru. t\S.A. "Hfm*Ift" TCWAMT. Spnn^fiv'J, Oftw.
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BADGE--A Knot o( While Ribbo*.

METHODS--Preroitivc, Educuioul. Enniriislic. Sotfal "d Upl.

WATCHWORDS--Aliute.EJuotc. Orpiln.

OBJECT--Toanify cbrmigliaat the work! the work of Waawn ill Tenoiwrance rd Socral Reform, 2B|3 tKek, tbrunebibffeuculitia* prcwatuioM of Ptition addrcued 10 all OM Gomnmenuof the vofld, tile complete overthrow of th* Aleohol and Opium rndM.

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.189.

CHAPTER XI.
THE CHAP1N MONUMENT--HOW OBTAINED--FRANCES WILLARD'S TRIBUTE--WHAT MRS. CHAPIN DID FOR A GEORGIA
VILLAGE.
She bore herself beyond the promise of her age; doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion.
--"Much Ado about Nothing," Act I, Scene I.
As has been seen through the record given in the Four teenth Annual Convention at Brunswick, Georgia, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley was appointed to direct the move ment looking to the commemoration in some worthy way of the life and labor of the South's great chieftain in Woman's Temperance work, Mrs. Sallie Flournoy Chapin. Mrs. Sibley undertook the enterprise with characteristic zeal and delicacy, sent circular letters to every State President in the South, as well as the National officers, inviting suggestions and co-operation touching the form the memorial should assume and aid in executing whatever plan might be adopted. Various propositions were made. Some preferred a school of methods, others a hospital, Miss Willard suggested a lectureship, Mrs. Sibley herself leaned to founding a living memorial, believing it would more perfectly ex press the spirit of Mrs. Chapin's character, which through all the years had demonstrated a lofty type of self-renunciation. After a long and extensive corre
ct

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spondence it was resolved to erect a monument on her grave in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Caro lina, in which not only the Southern States but the National organization should share. In pursuance of this resolve, Mrs. Sibley, who had been appointed by the National as well as the Georgia W. C. T. U. to execute the plan, conferred with Mr. George Williams, of Charleston, South Carolina, the life-long friend of Mrs. Chapin, and they together had the monument designed, bearing the following inscription:

SALLIE F. CHAPIN, BORN MARCH 14m, 1830, DIED APRIL 19rH, 1896.

ERECTED BY HER SISTERS OF THE NATIONAL W. C. T. U.

This was placed at the head of her grave and pro vision made for its perpetual care. A tangible token of appreciation from Georgia or the South alone would not have expressed the catholicity of Spirit which charac terized Mrs. Chapin. Her love could not be bounded by sections. Every state in the nation felt the pulse beat of her loyal heart. It is no wonder, therefore, that the Southern States were asked by their sister states of the North for the privilege of sharing in this tribute to her worth. She was as dear to the National officers as any of their clime; and perhaps no pen has so fully and truly interpreted her life as that of FrancesWillard. Because of the co-relative elements in their characters, the divine ideals actuating their motives, the complete

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163

response of one to the other, Miss Willard was able to

lay before the world a most graphic view of her pre

eminent co-laborer. We give her letter published in

the Union Signal, written from Reigate, England,

whither she had gone to aid in the British Woman's

Christian Temperance Union. She says:

"In 1881, accompanied by Anna Gordon and her

sister, Bessie, I set out for the South. We were pre

ceded in Charleston by Mrs. George Hulse McLeod, of

Baltimore, Corresponding Secretary of the Maryland

W. C. T. U. Mrs. McLeod had, I think, met Mrs. Chapin

and had told us much of her remarkable talents and

reputation among the Southern people. We knew that

she had written a book entitled: 'Fitzhugh St. Clair,' a

*

story of the Southern Confederacy; that she had been

prominent in work for the Southern soldiers, being born

and bred in Charleston, South Carolina, where the Civil

War began, and she was for that reason and for many

more one of the central figures among Southern women

"On reaching Charleston we went directly to her

home, which bore the unmistakable tokens of culture

and intellectuality. A large ivy vine from a cutting

obtained at Netley Abbey, when Mrs. Chapin and her

husband were abroad, had grown over the gable. In

the library the favorite chair of William Gilmore

Sims, the novelist, was pointed out to us. He was a

near friend of the family. Books, pictures, manu

scripts, betokened the refined taste of our hostess, and

she had assembled to greet us, Bishop Stevens, the Rev.

Dr. Vedder, pastor of the famous Huguenot Church,

and his accomplished wife, with many other leading

History of the
men and women of the city, whose names stood for what was best in the church and school and home, those three centers of light and life.
"We had been told that the brilliant conversational gift of Mrs. Chapin made her a sort of Southern 'Gail Hamilton,' the correctness of the description was quickly realized- One rarely comes in contact with an intellect so brilliant and at the same time so sympa thetic as Mrs. Chapin's. She rejoiced to give forth the stores of knowledge, experience, wit and repartee, with which nature and life had endowed her. She was not at all an egotist or a monopolist, but played the con versational game of 'give and take' with charming skill. Concerning that dinner, I have often thought of Dr. Sam Johnson's phrase, 'Sir, we had good talk.' It was for tunate for us that Mrs. Chapin possessed great social tact, for conservative Charleston had by no means made up its mind to tolerate 'women who spoke.' She had the good sense to be in friendly relations with the Press, and accounts of this dinner paved the way for the meeting that came a little later and which was held in the hand somest hall in the city. Mrs. Chapin had it presided over by Bishop Stevens, and the platform was studded by the presence of the kind friends whom we had met at the notable dinner aforesaid. Thus it came about that when we were ready to organize a local W. C. T. U. we were not left lamenting, but had a following of good women who were willing to join, and from that day until the 19th of April, 1896, when her brave spirit went forth to another sphere, Mrs. Chapin was President of that local Union, and of the Union of South Carolina,

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and for many years indeed until each state had formed a separate society largely as a result of her own work. She was the Southern Superintendent of the National W. C. T. U.
"The next autumn these same Southern States, which had hardly furnished a delegate up to that time, were well represented at the Convention in Washington which was held in the capital, that it might be more convenient for this new and coveted contingent of the White Ribbon work.
"The address made by Mrs. Chapin in Washington and the original poem, with which it closed, formed one of the most striking historic epochs, not only in the Woman's Temperance work, but in the great reconcil iation between the North and the South, to which our movement gave the first impetus among women. Up to that time, so far as I have ever heard, no Southern lady had either written or spoken in public, urging that the ties must be reknit between the severed sections. Until women willed it, this could not be done, no matter how statesmen might desire it, or how much soldiers might fraternize. But here was one of the most gifted and representative of Southern women from the most char acteristic of Southern States, one, who had already in her own home, welcomed her Northern abolition sisters of New England, and reached out the hand of love and faith to the President of the National W. C. T. U., who had as warmly grasped it, indeed who had gone to her native city to seek her friendship and co-operation. No woman who was present will ever forget the impres sion made by Mrs. Chapin's speech. She stood before

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us tall and stately in her black robes and insignia of widowhood,her intellectualcountenance glowing as that flashing eye took in the great assembly. She had per haps not spoken in public before, but she brought to the memorable occasion that happy furnishing of social experience which puts Southern women, who under take to speak upon a vantage ground. Her voice was deep and sonorous, her elocution perfect; her whole great heart was in the theme; she had come to her hour and she knew it. Mrs. Chapin took our new departure, the adoption of woman suffrage by the National, in her own bright, cheery way, never coming out in a radical spirit, and j-et always winsomely approving what we did. I can hear George Rain's voice ringing out in the 'Home Protection Convention' in Chicago in 1882, when he named Mrs. Chapin as a member of the National Committee 'because she was a representative woman of the South where she was greatly loved and trusted.' While she was at heart a most progressive woman she never lost the sympathy of the conservative people in her native city. They loved her and were proud of her as they had every reason to be; she was always in sym pathy with the Press of her State, and with its forward movements, although they might not be altogether ac cording to our program. It is said that the Scientific Education Bill, the Industrial Home for Girls, and the Purity Legislation in South Carolina, were the outcome of her influence and work. She was last with us at our Convention in Boston in 1891. Because of her remark able gifts of speech, she was perhaps more frequently invited to respond to the address of welcome at these

Georgia W. C. T. U.

Iff?

great 'Harvest Homes' than any other one woman; and all of the frequenters of our National Convention will remember with what wit and charm she was wont to speak on behalf of her beloved South, to which every drop of her blood was loyal. Though often urged by ministers of good intentions in her part of the world to separate herself from the parent society and to lead the Southern women by themselves, she always stood firm and true to the National, and I earnestly hope that we shall be not only willing without one dissenting voice, but able to place a tablet to her heroic and sacred memory in that hall of Woman's Temple which is verit ably becoming the Westminster Abbey of Temperance Reform."
This fervent utterance from perhaps the greatest woman America has produced, is but an expression of ten thousand hearts from every part of the nation who sat under the inspiration of Mrs. Chapin's elo quence. The fiery sweep of her oratory and the pro found depth of her compassion, was as irresistible as an incoming tide. A characteristic instance of her sympathy and powerful appeal to the consciences of men is brought out in a bit of history connected with the Second Annual Convention of the W. C. T. U. in Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. Chapin was being entertained with two young ladies and some others in the hospitable and elegant home of Mrs. W. C. Sibley. The young ladies, who were attending their first Convention, were taken, not only into the home but into the heart of Mrs. Sibley and her distinguished guest. They had come from a rum-ridden village where the saloon keeper,

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by his strong influence over the young men and boys was leading them to ruin. Public sentiment on the temperance question was so low as not to condemn the saloon keeper and it seemed that nothing could be done to stay the ravages of the saloon's destructive power. These young girls who had been trained by Christian parents to abhor the saloon and its work of iniquity, pledged each other to battle alone rather than sit still and witness the ruin of their friends. Receiving en couragement in their homes they organized a temper ance society, few in number but strong in purpose. The way was opened for them to attend the Convention aforementioned. They were going for inspiration, in formation and especially in the hope of securing some state or national officer to come to their aid by speaking in their town for Temperance. As one of them told of their struggle against opposition, which at times amounted to persecution, and how they had prayed that God would put it into the heart of a strong woman in the work to rally to them, Mrs. Chapin, scarcely waiting until the story was finished, said, "Go and tele graph your parents I will come and speak for you and God. You two brave girls shall have the strongest effort of my life." The wires flashed the news that this great servant of Christ was coming and advertised her lecture. The Methodist pastor was interviewed and gladly yielded the eleven o'clock hour on Sunday morn ing; the novelty of a woman speaking drew a large crowd. For more than an hour the immense audience was swayed by her invincible logic and so moved by her burning appeals to conscience, that strong men wept.

Georgia W. C. 3T. 17.

169

At the close of her address 106 signed the total

abstinence pledge, and from that hour one of the most

vigorous Unions of the State sprang into being. The

'small nucleus formed by the two young girls and their

parents increased with such power in number and in

i*

fluence as to make the Union the agency for closing the

Barroom in that town and county within two years.

To-day a corporal's guard could not be found within

all that section that would for a moment tolerate the

sale of liquor. Can Georgia or the South or the Nation

forget the queenly priestess who thus, in countless in

stances, opened prison doors and set the captives free?

From the shining courts of Heaven she calls us to arms: ,1?

Oh I woman!

Broad as thy great plains!

I

Strong as thy granite hills, The evangel of peace twixt North and South,

1!

The Sister of all men!

Thy beloved Southland crowns thee Queen!

Of her ten thousand, thousand hearts!

CHAPTER XII.
MRS. L. M. X. STEVENS AT STATE CONVENTION, SANDERSVILLE, 1897--URGES TEMPERANCE EDUCATION--MRS. FELTON, MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY, AND MRS. J. J. THOMAS COM MITTEE TO WORK FOR S. T. I. BILL--INDIGNATION AT ITS CONTINUED DEFEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE--PASSING OF FRANCES E. WILLARD, FEBRUARY 19TH, 1898--MEMORIAL SERVICE AT CONVENTION IN ATLANTA, JUNE 14TH--ADOP TION OF FRANCHISE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED AND DEFEATED.
If powers divine Behold our human actions, as they do, I doubt not then that innocence shall make False accusation blush, and tyranny Tremble at patience.
--"Winter's Tale," Act III, Sc. II.
Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, at that time Vice-Presi dent of the National and President of the Maine Woman's Christian Temperance Union, first looked in upon the Georgia White Ribboners at Sandersville, where the Fifteenth Annual Convention was in session, April 15-19, 1897. Her clear, judicial mind, together with large experience, enabled her to handle vital ques tions with great effectiveness. She stressed the import ance of the educational department, especially that of Scientific Temperance Instruction in public schools. She had observed that Maine not only obtained her prohibitory law by educating the people in temperance truths, but held and enforced it by a system of educa tion. In an address given during the Convention she

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171

pointed out how all moral reform, from the days of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, to the present time had moved forward upon a basis of intelligent instruction given the masses. As a result of her appeals and an ex haustive paper by Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, on "Why Georgia Needs Scientific Temperance Instruction," Mrs. W. H. Felton, the eloquent orator of the Georgia W.C.T.U.,was appointed to go before the Georgia Legis lature at its next session and speak in behalf of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Bill, which had been defeated for several successive years. Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, at that time in the vigor of a full orbed womanhood, and who for three years had given herself wholly to the interest of the Bill, was made her first assistant. Mrs. J. Jefferson Thomas was also added to the Committee, and the delegation pledged faithful co operation.
The young people's and children's department was given an impetus through the inspirational addresses of Mrs. Maud L. Green, of Colorado, and Miss Hattie Lee Henderson, of Texas--National organizers. As an im mediate result of their work a large Loyal Temperance Legion was organized at Sandersville and Mrs. Rawlings made Superintendent.
Another feature of this Convention was the strong stirrings of indignation against the repeated refusal by the State Legislature to enact temperance measures. The Scientific Temperance Bill had been brought before them for eight consecutive years, with a petition signed by thousands of leading educators, physicians, lawyers, ministers, merchants, farmers and other prominent

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History of the

voters, as well as hundreds of women, only to be met with defeat. Memorials had gone up for various other humanitarian laws, among them the Anti-Barroom Bill, which were refused. These conditions had prevailed until some members of the body had grown weary and were in favor of pursuing more radical methods. As an outgrowth of this view, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, of Colum bus, formulated and presented the following resolu tions, which were adopted:
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Georgia provides, that "the people have the right to assemble peaceably for their common good, and to apply to those vested with the powers of government for the redress of grievance by petition or remonstrance;" and
WHEREAS, The W. C. T. Union has tune and again petitioned the Legislature for the passage of the AntiBarroom Bill, now pending in that body; and
WHEREAS, A petition of over 70,000 names has been presented to the Legislature, as well as petitions and remonstrances from religious, temperance and secular societies, and organizations almost without number have asked the Legislature to pass this bill, thus leaving no doubt of the fact that the people of the State desire its passage; therefore,
RESOLVED, That we ask the Legislature at its next session to pass this bill in accordance with the wishes of the people so plainly made known, or else take immedi ate steps to expunge the aforesaid provision from the Constitution and thereby save the people any further trouble and expense of getting up petitions or remon strances on any subject in future.

Georgia W. C. T. U.

173

These continuous and unreasonable refusals by the

law makers of the State to grant the expressed will of

the best element of her citizenship, was the origin of

some of Georgia's White Ribboners advocating the

adoption of woman suffrage. As Mrs. Leila A. Dillard,

now Vice-President of the Georgia W. C. T. U., in reply

ing to Bishop Candler, declared, "That while the State

Union had not espoused the cause of woman suffrage

and had no such purpose, yet if the women continued to

be driven back and thwarted in their efforts to protect

their homes and children from the power of evil at the

polls, they needs must fall into the last ditch, which was

j

woman suffrage."

'

Early in the next year the shadow of a great sorrow

'*

fell upon the temperance world. Frances Willard, the

woman whom God called out to lead the armies of

Israel in defense of the home, passed into the heavens

February 19th, 1898, from the Empire Hotel, New York

City. Wherever truth was honored and righteouness

exalted, her name was written upon the heart; hence

the feeling of universal grief. But Georgia was

especially bereaved, for she, who under God had in

spired her to dare the impossible, was taken in the very

crisis of the work. At the Sixteenth Annual Conven

tion held in Moody's Tabernacle, Atlanta, Georgia, June

14-17, 1898, after her departure the officers felt as

children bereft of a mother. A tender and most beauti

ful memorial service was held, at the close of which

jj|

Mrs. J. A. Reynolds offered the following resolution,

which was adopted by a rising vote: "Frances E. Wil-

!*

lard, who has rightly been called the 'Uncrowned Queen

j1

ill

History of the
of America,' now in death we call her our "Crowned Queen,' whose glittering diadem will light us on in the work she has entrusted to us."
At National headquarters there was such stress and confusion, by reason of Miss Willard's death, as to pre clude the possibility of any National officers coming to Georgia's aid. The first time in the history of the State work a Convention had to be held by the home force. It was an hour of test. Difficult problems which in volved the very life of the State Union, were coming up for solution. The wisest and strongest stood still before God in recognition of the fact that His power alone was equal to the responsibility. There was a call for iirfportunate prayer and all who have read the record know how fully the need was supplied.
When the Franchise question was sprung the city reporter had nothing to report but a dignified debate and a final decision. Mrs. W. C. Sibley's winsome manner, gracious spirit, and deep conviction played a most powerful part. For sixteen years, with the wisdom of a seer, she had studied the situation and tenderly yet firmly bade her sisters keep on the main line, and strenuously avoid any side issue which might entangle them to such a degree as to defeat the very end for which they were laboring, namely, the over throw of the liquor traffic. Those who favored the adoption of the Franchise Department in harmony with the National platform; on the other hand were strongly persuaded that the only effective way to secure legal prohibition in Georgia, was for women to obtain the ballot through a system of education on the subject

Georgia W. C. T. U.

175

and vote for it. This conviction had been forced upon

them by the continued delay in temperance legislation

on the part of the Georgia Legislature. Sixteen years

they had petitioned by telegram, letter, and in person

with no avail; hence they were in favor of pursuing a

different policy. This opinion was held, however, by

only a minority, but with such earnestness as to force

a discussion of the question. As presiding officer, in

opening a way for the debate, Mrs. Sibley said, "For

some time I have felt it my duty to hold the suffrage

question at bay, believing a discussion could do no

good and the adoption of it as a part of our platform

would work harm, but since there are members of this

body who entertain a different view and wish a free

discussion, I am persuaded it is best to let the matter be

considered and settled once for all."

Mrs. S. P. Harvey, by request of the chair, led in a

fervent prayer for God's guidance and for the spirit of

unanimity and love to pervade the body, whatever

might be the decision.

The following rules of order were adopted and observed:

1st. No member shall speak more than twice upon

the question before the house.

2nd. No member shall be allowed to speak the

second time until all who desire, have spoken once.

3rd. Each person shall be limited strictly to ten

minutes for her first speech and two minutes for her

second. A time keeper shall be appointed who shall

call time as soon as the limit is reached.

4th. The President shall recognize those upon oppo-

.

site sides of the question alternately.

|j

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Mrs. Mary L. McLendon, of Atlanta, led the debate for the adoption and Miss Missouri H. Stokes, of Decatur, led the opposition.
The folowing members spoke for the adoption: Mrs. Isabella W. Parks, Mrs. H. A. Auten, Mrs. G. W. Wilson, Mrs. J. A. Adkins, Mrs. J. M. Osborne, Mrs. J. L. Gillett.
Opposed to adoption: Mrs. L. E. Farriss, Mrs. Lizzie Osburn, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, Mrs. M. S. A. Webb, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. A. E. Sexton, Mrs. A. M. Street. A vote resulted in seventeen dele gates, representing three Unions, for the adoption, and thirty-one, representing twelve Unions, opposed. Sel dom is there found in the history of reforms, questions of such delicacy handled in so skillful a manner. Though holding, as has been seen, widely divergent views, the laborers continued to labor in the spirit of a great sisterhood. Had they followed the admonition of some well-meaning counselors from without, they would have seceded from the National organization and become a small faction of no weight in wielding a force for prohibition. They recognized the fact that in Union there was strength, that a house divided against itself could not stand, and furthermore they had started out with no day-dream but deep rooted in their very heart of hearts was a consuming purpose, as enduring as eternity to labor relentlessly until a crowning victory was won in defense of their firesides. It is a signifi cant fact that the ruling authorities of the Post Bellum era, which divided the temperance ranks on the negro question were the Sons of Temperance. The liquor traf-

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fie had not struck its deadly roots deep enough into their hearts to make them willing to suffer humiliation rather than weaken their cause by division. They were the fathers; when God aroused the mothers He called out an army who was not only ready to fight but suffer. Looking into the faces of their innocent children, for whom they had gone down to the very gates of death to give life, and whom they had nourished with a divine emotion, it was vain to speak to them of anything but a united front against a common foe. God, in mercy, spared the mothers until the last moment when this mighty reserve force was drawn against the enemy. It was a power nothing could conquer! God himself was in command and they had enlisted for life! Would a little question of woman's enfranchisement stay or divide them? Nay, verily, they had vowed a vow as high as heaven and as enduring as the ages to drive the liquor traffic from the world and enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ who came to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke!

(12)

CHAPTER XIII.
CLOUDS AGAIN LOWER--MANY UNIONS DISBAND--NO CONVEN TION IN 1899--CONVENTION AT AUGUSTA, 1900--ONLY EIGHT UNIONS REPRESENTED--MRS. WILLIAM C. SIBLEY RESIGNS--HER PARTING MESSAGE--MRS. JENNIE HART SIBLEY ELECTED PRESIDENT--HER HIGH QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE.
They are slaves -who dare not be In the right with two or three.
--James Russell Lowell.
The open discussion of the Franchise question, although it was defeated by a vote of 31 to 17 in the Convention of 1898, so stirred the opposition of antiwoman suffragists, as to well-nigh paralyze the work. Bishop Candler renewed his attack through the press and from the pulpit, believing woman suffrage to be a violation of the laws of God and nature, he wrote and spoke with all the powers of his great mind against the W. C. T. U. as a propagator of suffrage views. The fact that his opinion was clear cut and given without bitterness, gave him a right of way into the hearts of the people. The fact that he was a potent and influ ential factor in Georgia Methodism, which had from the first fostered the movement, and that he himself had been a friend and supporter of the order, placed him in a position to command the hearing of the public. Many too bus3r to investigate for themselves as to what

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the W. C. T. U. stood for, followed his counsel without hesitation. They naturally concluded that if an "own familiar friend" who had been intimately associated with the work from its inception and lent his aid in establishing it, had come to regard it as a dangerous influence, it were well to listen and take heed. As a result of the agitation, in 1899 the officers found it impossible to hold a Convention. Union after Union disbanded, many of the most influential helpers grew fearful, organizers were unable to form new Unions, and but for the unflagging zeal and intrepid spirit of such women as Mrs. W. C. Sibley, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Mrs. J. S. Moore, Mrs. M. S. A. Webb, Mrs. M. L. McLendon, Mrs. C. H. Smith, Miss Missouri H. Stokes, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. Stainback Wilson, Mrs. L. E. Fariss, Mrs. M. C. Rowe, Mrs. Isabella W. Parks, and a score of others cast in a like mold, the organization would have died. This noble company of elect women knew that the God of Israel was stronger than all the giants of opposition and were still ready "to go up and possess the land."
The following year, 1900, on April the 25th, there was a bugle call to arms. Mrs. William C. Sibley, the faithful President for eighteen years, had been in the secret place of the Most High, as well as many of her colaborers pleading for help and guidance, though under the burden of personal and family affliction, and weary with the weight of years, she called a Convention in her own city, Augusta, Georgia, for the purpose of taking counsel and advising the election of a strong young woman to lead the forces. So enfeebled had she be-

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come as to make it necessary to have an assistant in presiding over the deliberations of the body. At her request, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, of Union Point, Geor gia, for years zealously engaged in State work, came and stood by her side in perhaps the most inspiring and meaningful efforts known to the State Union. A preg nant reason stands out for God's signal blessings on this historic assemblage. Only the brave were there. Those who had entered into the fellowship of His sufferings and endured as seeing Him who is invisible. The very place of meeting was significant, St. John's Methodist Church. Among the first to open her doors to Frances Willard; at whose altars she who had for eighteen years led in Georgia's battles, consecrated her life to the tem perance cause; the church which eleven years ago had given hospitality with lavish hand to the same body and now in the midst of the storm they had come back to her bosom. There they knelt and renewed their cove nant to fight the arch enemy of men until the right hand of the Omnipotent gave victory.
Although only eight Unions were reported, yet in them one can feel the thrill of faith's powerful ozone and hear the ring of triumph. As a type we give in part, the Atlanta South Side Union's record, of which Mrs. M. L. McLendon was President:
"Since last Convention have organized five Loyal Temperance Legions, Trinity Home Mission, Peter's Street Mission, the Woolen Mill Mission, Wesley Chapel and Glenn Street Loyal Temperance Legion. Had lectures from Miss Isabelle Wing Lake, Miss Jessie Ackerman, and Miss Belle Kearney, of National W. C. T. U.,

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Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Sibley and Dr. McLaughlin, of Geor gia. Celebrated Heavenly birthdays of Frances Willard, and Neal Dow. Indorsed by strong resolutions published in city papers, and by petition, the Willingham Bill for State Prohibition. Delegations appeared at the Capitol whenever the bill was announced for discussion, and White Ribbon badges were presented to . every woman who would accept them on those occa sions. Distributed 16,994 pages of literature, 248 gar ments for men, women and children, 30 pairs of shoes, three hats, and on an average of 152 lunches and 300 cups of coffee. The Press of Atlanta published without charge 96 announcements of meetings and 32 reports of same with 25 articles in interest of the work, held four parlor meetings, two silver medal contests, one Matron's Oratorical Contest, petitioned the City Council for a marble fountain, petitioned Congress to remove the army canteen and refuse Mr. Roberts, as a Mormon, a seat among the law makers of our country, asked the Georgia Legislature for a police matron in all cities of 10,000 or more inhabitants, to prevent the employ ment of child labor, and for the State Bureau of Infor mation. Sent $15.00 for annual dues, and $2.50 for pub lication of Minutes to State Treasurer. Expended $117.78 on local work."
Such a report made at such a time deserves a place in the history of the work. When other Unions at different centers were disbanding under the pressure of opposition, and few, if any, could be induced to enter the ranks, these brave women marched steadily for ward, bearing aloft the banner without a single falter-

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ing step. At this distance when the clouds have passed away, we stand in their presence with uncovered heads, giving praise to Him who nerved their arm for battle.
The State President's message bears the same stamp of intrepid faith. Laboring two years under difficulties known only to the Great Searcher of Hearts, yet there is in it not a single note of discouragement. After review ing the work of the past and earnestly bidding her comrades go forward, she gave a tender word in part ing. With deep emotion she said: "And now, dear sisters, the time has come for me to say farewell to you as President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia. In closing this era of my life, I close the happiest most useful, most honored and the most blessed period of the three score years God has given me. I can never thank you for all that you have been to me in these eighteen years of loving comradeship. How sweet the communion, how painful the severing of the tie, God only knows. One of the sweetest memories I shall cherish is your clinging affection. For your love and confidence I thank you. May His peace abide with you and His Hoi}' Spirit direct you. May He guide in the choice of your future leader and constrain you to be as loyal to her as you have been to your retiring President. God bless you! Farewell!"
We see that heroic band gather about their devoted chieftain. Some with snowy locks and trembling steps, yet with deathless purpose to establish truth. Others with the vigor of youth, and its bouyant, bounding faith stirring them to action. Their prayers and tears were before God in behalf of one whom He should separate

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for leadership. As they prayed He laid His hand upon Jennie Hart Sibley, the gracious, queenly daughter of the old South. Through the noble heritage of a consecrated ancestry, He had called her unto the good works. Her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Hart, of Augusta, Georgia, long before her birth, had listened to the voice of One mighty to save. In benefac tions which are fragrant with love they blessed their County and State. Her mother organized the first Sun day School in Greene County in 1841 and personally superintended it for many years. She became a friend and mother to the orphans in the city of Augusta. So beloved was her father because of his exemplary life and Christly beneficence among the poor, that at his death in 1876, by the request of the people of his town, Union Point, his body lay in state three days at the church that his remains might be viewed by his friends and former slaves.
Is there wonder that a moral reformer should descend from such a father and mother? But she had to enter Christ's training school before she had the strength to breast the storms of opposition in Georgia. One day, under the shadows of a great sorrow, in agony of spirit, she turned to Him for help. As she waited before Him He bade her come with Him into the highways and hedges and listen to the cries of humanity. Like Matthew, she at once rose up and followed Him. As she went into the homes of the poor she saw the marks of unutterable woe in the faces of women and awful despair stamped on the countenances of men chained by the demon drink!

History of the
Children there were, but no sound of laughter or mer riment With ragged garments and pinched faces they told their story of misery and want. There she knelt with them in prayer and pledged God that the last drop of her blood would be consecrated to the protection of their homes against the merciless hand of the saloon! There the grain of corn fell into the ground and died. Henceforth she was able to stand hi the strength of Him who made her free by the power of the truth. No storms which swept over the face of the State work could unsettle this God-planted woman.
For years prior to her election as President she had been abundant in labors, filling various important offi ces; had done notable work as Superintendent of the Y. Branch, as leader of the Loyal Temperance Legion, as District President of the Eighth Congressional District, as President of the County of Greene, and President of the local Union at Union Point. She had many times served as Delegate-at-Large to the National Conven tions, and in 1895 represented Georgia and South Caro lina at the World's Convention in London, but perhaps the most useful service she had rendered up to the date of her election was as a framer and co-adjuster of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Bill, which she ad vocated in person for three consecutive years before the General Assembly of Georgia. There her thoughtful mind anchored its hope. Like the wise Germans she believed that what we would make of the nation we must put into the school. For five years prior to her Presidency she wrote and spoke on this all important department of the W. C. T. U. with such fervor and

MRS. THOMAS E. PATTERSON. Fourth President.

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intelligence as to arrest the thought of the leading educators.
In assuming the responsibility of leadership, she not only possessed rare equipment through ancestral gifts, education and a rich store of information, but the fine intuition of knowing how to adjust the workers to the work, and what was better still, the ability to inspire confidence. Scores of women at dif ferent centers of the State, trace their development with God's blessing to the inspirational words and example of this noble woman. As historian countless letters have fallen under the eye of the writer, attesting the power of her personality. The inherent ability to weigh character with a winsome tactfulness, and un selfish devotion to the cause, fitted her to draw into the work some of Georgia's choicest women; women quick to discern, apt to teach, wise in enterprising, and strong to execute. To-day we are reaping the golden fruitage of her seed sowing. Some of the daughters of her tuition are bringing things to pass in moral reform, which places every citizen of the State under tribute to them. This is notably true of the present Chief Executive of the Georgia W. C. T. U., Mrs. T. E. Patterson, and her wise co-laborer, Mrs. Leila A. Dillard. When the lengthening shadows of years cross their path, they, with many others, will bless the day they were inspired by Jennie Hart Sibley's leadership to wage war against the saloon.

CHAPTER XIV.
A VIGOROUS NEW ADMINISTRATION--BAKNESVILLE CONVEN TION, 1901--MRS. STEVENS AND MISS GORDON PRESENT-- PASSAGE OF SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION BILL DECEMBER, 1901--INTERESTING CELEBRATION IN BOSTON AT THE HOME OF MRS. MARY H. HUNT, NATIONAL SUPERIN TENDENT S. T. I.
There is no veil like light--no adamantine armor against hurt like the truth.
--George McDonald.
At the beginning of Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley's adminis tration as President of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the pall of death hung over the work throughout the State. Prejudice engendered by the suffrage agitation was more difficult to combat than the opposition which beset the leaders from the start. Many in the churches had withdrawn their sympathy through the misapprehension of the Union's relation to the woman's suffrage movement. Within the ranks were fears, without were fightings. With these conditions Mrs. Sibley realized that tremendous effort had to be made to gain vigor and prestige sufficient to move for ward; hence immediately following her election she planned a campaign of education through the distri bution of literature and a series of lectures. Mrs. Mary W. Newton and Miss Belle Kearney, two of the ablest speakers of the National Union, were engaged to can-

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vass the State. A State Organizer, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, of Columbus, Georgia, was also put in the field. As a result Unions were established at La Grange, Athens, Griffin, Newnan, Carrollton, Lawrenceville, Newton Union at Augusta, J. E. Sibley Union at Augusta, Wash ington, Eatonton, Harlem, Thomson, Harmony Grove, Jeffersonville, Sharon, Dublin, Fayetteville, Cusseta, Lumpkin, Richland, Shiloh, Loyal Temperance Legion at Lumpkin, and a most flourishing Union at Greens boro, organized by Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley. Not only did Mrs. Sibley plan and aid in the execution of this wholesale dissemination of temperance truth, but con ducted a large correspondence through which new Unions were instructed, and those already founded stimulated.
At the first Convention held in the Presbyterian Church, Barnesville, Georgia, she reported 1,038 letters written and 1,390 miles traveled during the year in interest of the work. These letters were written with out the aid of clerical help and the expense of travel was paid out of her purse to the amount of $93.97. The wisdom of her recommendations to the body at this Convention, show how fully her thought was given to the advancement of the cause. She urged every local Union to subscribe for a leading liquor paper, hold parlor meetings, offer prizes in schools for the best essays on "Effects of Alcohol and Other Narcotics upon the Human System," impose a fine on any who refused to wear the White Ribbon, adopt the Department of Non-Alcoholic Medication, buy and circulate Mrs. Martha M. Alien's book. "Alcohol a Dangerous and

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Unnecessary Medicine," secure the co-operation of Mis sionary Societies, answer argument through the Press favoring the Army Canteen, circulate petitions for the passage of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Bill, offer prizes for best essays on "International Peace," organize Bands of Mercy in connection with Loyal Tem perance Legions, send petition to Congress to enact a measure against prostitution in Manilla.
The reasons for the recommendations were so clearly stated in her Annual Message that the most uninformed delegate could see their value and realize the import ance of acting upon them. The best help had been secured for the Convention; Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, of Portland, Maine, who had succeeded Miss Willard as President of the National Union, and Miss Anna Gor don, National Vice-PresWent and World's Secretary of the. Loyal Temperance Legion. The strong, wellpoised character of Mrs. Stevens, together with a rich store of information, was a savor of life to Georgia in this critical hour. She believed in the power of truth, had seen it conquer in her own state, had stood by the side of Neal Dow for years and witnessed the foe driven back by its keen lance, and best of all, she had met Christ in young womanhood, who whispered into her heart the fact that right was eternal--the solid rock upon which the ages rested and could not fail. She knew the cause was obliged to. succeed in Georgia if its advocates were faithful. Therefore her words were spoken with a calmness of one conscious of vic tory. They went to the heart, quickened the faith, and inspired courage.

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And Anna A. Gordon--that queen of gentleness-- who had traversed land and sea with the sainted Fran ces Willard, breathing hope into broken spirits through her message on the power of organized childhood, like some good angel, by her very presence blessed and up lifted. Strong, luminous words she gave on the respon sibility of mothers in the temperance crusade, showing how world prohibition of the liquor traffic would essen tially follow where children were given systematic teaching on the effects of alcohol. As these eminent servants of God talked, the hearts of their hearers burned within them. The old guard who had fought the battle in Georgia for nineteen years felt their youth renewed and the young recruits with bounding spirits became eager to make a charge.
Among them was one whom God had led to that place as verily as He constrained David to go on the field and challenge the giant of the Philistines--Mary Brewster Patterson--the present noble leader of the forces in Georgia. As Mrs. Sibley called upon God and under His guidance sent out Miss Belle Kearney to seek any who were worthy to suffer for righteouness, she found this devoted woman "hid away." When she came forth to be appointed for service at this Convention, all recognized her as a chosen vessel. She responded to the address of welcome with whole-heartedness and at the re-election of officers was made Assistant Recording Secretary and President of Spalding County W. C. T. U., and was also added to important committees. Thus we see she stepped into line a full fledged soldier, with the mighty weapon of faith and devotion.

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Another historic figure appeared for the first time at this Convention--Mrs. Leila A. Dillard--the present Yice-President of the Georgia W. C. T. U. She comes before us, however, only through her good work, as on account of illness in her family she was unable to attend. As President of the LaGrange W. C. T. U. she reported twelve active members and two honorary members, giving Scientific Temperance and Press Work as specific Departments. Of her call into the work, she says: "My connection with the W. C. T. U. was pre ceded by a distinct spiritual impression that the Lord was leading me into larger service. The impression was so deep as to produce a feeling of awe and so bur dened me that I confided the secret to a friend." God works at both ends of the line. As Saul of Tarsus prayed. Ananias was commanded to go and instruct him. As Mrs. Sibley, in her office, agonized for aid, He rolled the burden of service upon the soul of Leila A. Dillard. None who have followed the unremitting toil of this faithful officer for the past decade, doubts that the Holy One laid His hand upon her and set her apart to the ministry of prayer and work that the children of men might be redeemed from the curse of drink. With painstaking diligence and loving loyalty, she has, through affliction and heavy cares of widow hood, stood at her post like the brave sentinel who declared that he would rather dje than lower the flag.
On the official roster of this Convention is seen the name of another faithful servant of the cause, that of Mrs. R. V. Hardeman, of Macon, Georgia. As VicePresident-at-Large, State Recording Secretary, and

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editor of the W. C. T. U. Department on the first page of The Georgian--a temperance paper at that time published by Hon. Dupont Guerry, through whose gen erosity the space was granted--Mrs. Hardeman wrought valiantly. With the heavy burdens of household cares pressing upon her and family afflictions demand ing her time she yet attended Conventions and served with patient zeal wherever she was placed by her colaborers.
Still another name glowing with the luster of beau tiful and Christ-like fidelity appears on ttie calendar of this period. It is that of the gentle saint--Mrs. C. H. Smith, of Ellaville, Georgia. As State Treasurer and President of Schley County her record is golden. So ardently was she attached to her official duties that four o'clock in the morning found her at her desk post ing her books or writing checks to be mailed on early trains. This diligent faithfulness was practiced, let it be remembered, in the days when the W. C. T. U. treas ury was not sufficiently imbursed to pay any of the officers for services which, if done in the world of commerce, would have commanded handsome returns. The heavens bend in whispering music above the heads of these self-denying disciples of the lowly Nazarene.
During 1901, most strenuous efforts were put forth in behalf of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Bill, with Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, the State President, and Miss Lula A. Haralson, of Carrollton, Georgia, Superin tendent of Scientific Temperance Instruction, as leaders. Prior to the meeting of the Legislature Miss Haralson sent numerous petitions signed by officers of Quarterly

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Conferences, General Meetings, District Meetings, Asso ciations, together with a large package of postals strung on white ribbon upon which was written approval of the bill and signed by every City and County Super intendent of public schools in the State, to each Repre sentative. By this time even Utah--the last State in the Nation, except Georgia, had enacted the measure, mak ing Scientific Temperance Instruction mandatory in the public schools. The will of Georgia's best citizens had been so long and often expressed by petition and other wise, that the Legislature began to yield to the pressure.
On November the 19th of this year, 1901, the House of Representatives passed the bill and it was sent to the Senate for action. Wherever there was a local Union, earnest supplication was made that the Senate might act favorably. Just before the bill was to come up in the Senate Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Mrs. M. Y. Gates, Mrs. Mary L. McLendon and Mrs. Cochran secured a hearing before the Educational Committee of the Senate and spoke in behalf of the measure. A few days thereafter, December 17th, 1901, the Senate passed the bill, Governor Alien D. Candler affixed his signa ture, and it became a law. The text of the bill reads as follows:
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, and. be it hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that the nature of alcoholic drinks and narcotics and special instruction as to their effect upon the human system, in connection with the several divisions of the subject of Physiology and Hygiene, shall be included in the branches of study

MRS. CHESTERFIELD H. SMITH.

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taught in common or public schools in the State of Georgia, and shall be studied and taught as thoroughly and in the same manner as other like required branches are in said school.
SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of County and City Superintendents of schools receiving aid from the State, to report to the State School Commissioner all failures and neglect on the part of Boards of Education to make provision for instruction of all pupils in any and all of the schools under their jurisdiction, in Physiology and Hygiene (Physiology which shall include with other Hygiene, the nature and effect of alcoholic drinks, and other narcotics upon the human system). And the Board of Education of each County of this State shall adopt proper rules to carry the provisions of this law into effect.
SECTION 3. No license shall be granted any person to teach in the public schools, receiving money from the State, after the first Monday in January, 1903, who has not passed a satisfactory examination in Physiology and Hygiene (Physiology which shall include with other Hygiene, the nature and effect of alcoholic drinks and other narcotics upon the human system).
SECTION 4. Be it further enacted, that all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act, are hereby repealed.
Georgia's victory was telegraphed to National Head quarters at Evanston, Illinois, and to Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, National and World's Superintendent of Scientific Tem perance Instruction. At Boston, Massachusetts, a great jubilee was at once planned by Mrs. Hunt to commemo-

History of the
rate the event and was held at the home of Mrs. Hunt, January 25th. Mrs. Sibley, as President of the Georgia W. C. T. U., and framer of the bill, was invited to be present and speak on the occasion. Being unable to attend, she sent a brief but stirring history of Georgia's unremitting endeavors through eleven years to secure the law and a thrilling description of the final victory, which will be seen, was read on the occasion of the jubilee.
Below we quote a most graphic description of the scene which was to commemorate, up to that time, the most notable achievement in the history of Georgia's temperance legislation. Other battles had been on a temporary basis, but that stood for permanent reform by reason of the fact that a generation of prohibitionists would grow up understanding the nature and effects of alcohol upon the human system and would as naturally shun it as they would any other poison.
A REMARKABLE CELEBRATION.
"On Saturday evening, January 25th, the National Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union celebrated the twentieth year of its legislative period and the recent passage of a temperance education law by Georgia, the last State hitherto without such legislation. The celebration was held in Boston, Massachusetts, at the home of Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, World and National Super intendent of this Department.
"The first temperance education law in the world was enacted in Vermont in 1882. As state after state in rapid succession placed these laws upon its statute

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books, a 'temperance education map' was prepared showing the states which had temperance education laws in white, the states which had none in black, and as such laws have been enacted in one state after another, the black covering of each has been removed.
"When the Governor of Georgia signed a Temperance Education Law for that State in December of last year, it was therefore the last of the laws to be enacted by the Legislatures of every one of the forty-five states of the United States and by the National Congress, all of which require Physiology and Hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks and other narcotics to be taught in all schools under State and Federal control.
"The removal of the black cap from Georgia on the Temperance Education map was therefore an occasion of historic interest, and a company of well-known rep resentative people gathered informally to witness this removal and to welcome Georgia to the white sister hood thus made complete.
"In one of Mrs. Hunt's parlors was hung the large map representing in white the states having Temper ance Education laws. One of these maps hung in the Columbian Exposition in 1893 and since in Mrs. Hunt's home, the other, the map that has traveled with Mrs. Hunt in thousands of miles of journeyings, and has hung in audience rooms and Legislative halls in nearly every state of this country, the Parliament of Canada, and the Academic de Palais, of Belgium, when Mrs. Hunt attended the International Anti-Alcohol Congress in Brussels.

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"Among the guests were representatives from the leading City, State, National and World Temperance Organizations, from the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, the press, prominent clergymen and physicians and the Secretary of Massachusetts State Board of Education.
"Pleasant reminiscent speeches on the many phases of this work were made by some of the guests, and letters were read from friends of this education in all parts of the country, among them one from Airs. Sibley, State President of the Woman's Christian Tem perance Union of Georgia, and one from Governor Candler, of Georgia, who, in signing this last law, by a happy coincidence crowned the work to which he had already given valuable aid. As a member of the Fortyninth Congress, Governor Candler was Chairman of the House Committee on Education and his was the decisive vote in that Committee that led to the favorable reporting of the National Temperance Educational Law in 1886, which was followed by its enactment Gov ernor (then Congressman) Candler said of his relation to the National law when told that voting for it might affect his political prospects: 'If voting for this meas ure helps me politically, I shall be glad of it; if not, I shall vote for it just the same, for I believe it is right.'
"Before cutting the stitches from the black cap cover ing Georgia, Mrs. Hunt said in part:
"'I stand in the presence of this map grateful for what God hath wrought Its whitening field as cap after cap has been taken from these states speaks of divine purposes of mercy to us as a nation. My heart

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goes out to the hundreds of thousands of women, the great rank and file of the Woman's Christian Temper ance Union, and to every one in and out of the organi zation who has stood by and defended the cause. This nation owes a debt of gratitude to the noble men, the representatives of the people, who have passed these laws.
" 'It is not self-assumption, it is not arrogance for us, people of the United States to recognize the fact that we seem to have been chosen by Providence to be the ex amples and custodians of liberty for the nations of the earth. A people entrusted with such a mission should themselves be free from the worst of all bondages, that to alcohol. Such freedom, to be permanent for a selfgoverning people, must be the result of intelligent individual choice. And such choice must have its basis in education as universal as the people. That is the philosophy of what this map represents as I saw it when I first began to think about this subject long ago and step by step to work forward to the present hour.
" 'As I cut the stitches that liberate the last state from the black cap and the whole map is white, I know that if we stop now, satisfied with rejoicing, in less than five years the whole map may be in black again, for already there is an organized effort on the part of some to minimize this education, to take it out of the lower grades, to take out all decisive instruction against alcohol and other narcotics leaving only a little inferen tial instruction as to the general utility of being clean and good. To prevent this will command the utmost effort of every lover of humanity. All Americans

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should protect these laws and their enforcement as they would the flag itself.'
"As the last stitch was cut and the black covering fell from Georgia leaving the entire map white, the assem bled friends joined in singing, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.'
"Secretary Hill, of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, read a brief message to Mr. G. R. Glenn, State Commissioner of Education of Georgia, testifying to witnessing the removal of the black cap and express ing the hope that 'the map of our loyalty and our attain ment may in tune become as spotless and as cheering as that of our legislation.'
"A pleasant social hour followed, light refreshments being served. As a souvenir, each guest was presented with a card tied with white ribbon and bearing two maps of the United States, one with the states all in black representing the condition in 1882 before the pass age of the first temperance education law, and below it the other map, that of 1902, with the states all in white."
Mrs. Hunt sent a letter of personal greetings and con gratulations to Mrs. Sibley filled with praise to God for His leadership and blessing in this vital department of temperance truth--a department which perhaps did more to educate a generation of young men in the Geor gia Legislature who voted for state-wide prohibition in 1907, than any single agency.

CHAPTER XV.
TWO CONVENTIONS IN 1902, MILLEDGEVILLE IN MAY AND THOMSON IN OCTOBER--VETO OF DISPENSARY BILL--GOV ERNOR CANDLER FIRST HONORARY MEMBER--MRS. ARMOR ENTEBED THE WORK, GRIFFIN CONVENTION, 1903--EASTMAN CONVENTION 1904, MRS. S. M. D. FRY SPEAKER, GEORGIA BULLETIN ESTABLISHED--MRS. SIBLEY RESIGNS AND MRS. ARMOR ELECTED AT AMERICUS 1905--MRS. NELL G. BURGER SPEAKER--RECORD BREAKING CONVENTION AT LA GRANGE IN 1906--NEW CHARTER SECURED.
One sows and another reaps, that both he that so-weth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
--John 4:36-37.
1902 has become memorable as the most strenuous year up to that time in the history of the State Union. Six organizers, Mrs. Nell G. Burger, Miss Belle Kearney, Mrs. Helen L. Bullock, Miss May Russell, of Mississippi, Mrs. Adah Wallace Unruh, of Portland, Oregon,and Miss Christine Tinling, of London, England, were in the field at different dates. The State President, with her staff of coadjutors, was abundant in labors. Two Conven tions, one May 6-8, in the First Baptist Church, Milledgeville, Georgia; the other, September 30 to October 4, in the Methodist Church at Thomson, Georgia, were held with remarkable success. Forty-four Unions were reported, an increase of thirty-five since 1900, when the State Organization was seriously threatened with ex tinction. A corresponding gain was shown in the treasury.

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Another signal victory had been achieved in Gov ernor Alien D. Candler's veto of the Dispensary Bill--a Bill drafted and supported by the Hon. Seaborn Wright, of Rome, Georgia. We will let Mrs. Sibley tell in her own graphic way how a whirlwind campaign was insti tuted to secure the Governor's veto. In her Annual Message delivered at Milledgeville, she says: "God marvelously answered prayer and co-operated with us in our work of gaining the Governor's veto to the Dis pensary Bill. It was almost like the wonderful crusade of 1873 in its manifestation of power. We applied to an eminent lawyer for advice. He said there was no alternative but to wait until the meeting of the next Legislature and ask for a repeal of the law. We were enroute at the time to the evening service of the Baptist Church, it being Temperance Sunday. As we walked our hearts were filled with prayer. At the Church door the Holy Spirit whispered, 'Is the arm of the Lord shortened that He cannot save, or His ear heavy that He cannot hear?' 'Why not ask the veto of the Gov ernor?' At the close of the powerful temperance ser mon by the Baptist preacher, your President forgot the Pauline doctrine of women keeping silent in the church, arose to her feet under protest by her son pulling her dress to be seated and remember she was in the Baptist Church, (which disapproved of women speak ing), but the Spirit's power seemed greater than mere man's protest. The speech of thanks for a tribute to the W. C. T. U. was made and the request that a special prayer be offered that the Governor might veto this bill. The minister, Rev. R. E. L. Harris, asked all who

MRS. MARY HARRIS ARMOR. Third President.

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endorsed the request to stand and it was unanimously acceded to. A temperance revival took place in the audience and a petition was started from the church. The Y.'s next morning carried petitions through the vil lage and twenty-five letters were sent by the first mail to as many dry towns, praying for co-operation in the petition movement. In less than three days 7,000 names were before the Governor, 'and the work was accom plished.' "
Governor Candler's devotion to right in the State and National Legislation made it a happy task to grant the memorial of Georgia's truest citizenry. It was most fitting at the Thomson Convention, which met soon after the victory, that he should be the first honored with a life membership in the State Union. When this action was taken, Mrs. Sibley, as President and Super intendent of Legislation and Petition, was requested by the body to express the gratitude of the Georgia Woman's Christian Temperance Union to Governor Candler for his brave deed and ask that he accept the life-membership certificate as a small token of deep appreciation. Governor Candler responded in the fol lowing gracious words:
"I beg to acknowledge receipt of my certificate of membership in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and to thank you and the Union for the honor you have done me. I have put this certificate, with my college diplomas, my commission as an officer in the Confederate Army and as a member of the American Congress, in a tin cannister and shall treasure it more highly than either of these other highly prized

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papers. Indeed I do not feel that I could enjoy a greater distincton than to have been elected by this noble army of Christian women to honorary member ship with them."
At the Twenty-first Annual Convention, held in the First Methodist Church, Griffin, Georgia, October 6-8, 1903, a decided advance over the year previous was reported. Mrs. Adah Wallace Unruh had made a most successful tour of the State and brought into the work some of the strongest individual helpers known to the organization. Mrs. R. E. L. Harris, Mrs. J. B. Richards, Mrs. J. F. DeLacy, and Mrs. Mary Harris Armor, women whose very names are synonyms for unfaltering loyalty. The Superintendent of Literature, Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, had sent out thousands upon thousands of pages of literature. Loyal Temperance Legions were everywhere being organized under the brilliant leadership of Mrs. T. E. Patterson. The President, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, had issued from the platform and through the press the war-cry "Saloons in Georgia must go." The organization had begun once more to feel its footing upon solid rock.
The following year at Eastman, Georgia, where the Twenty-second Convention was held in the Methodist Church, October 7-11,1904, great enthusiasm prevailed. Plans were laid for larger and more aggressive work. A new enterprise was launched hi the establishment of the Georgia W. C. T. U. Bulletin as a medium of com munication between the laborers, with Mrs. T. E. Patterson as Managing Editor, Mrs. Mary Haris Armor, Assist ant, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Editor-in-Chief, Mrs. Leila

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A. Dillard, Mrs. Thomas Fason and Mrs. J. J. Ansley, Corresponding Editors. The Eastman Union alone sub scribed one hundred dollars to its support and one hundred and nine dollars was pledged by various other Unions. In all the proceedings there was a compelling earnestness and stirring enthusiasm. Mrs. S. M. D. Fry, National Corresponding Secretary, who was present as Convention Speaker, said "No one could attend a ses sion without feeling that something was going to happen in Georgia."
Just at this juncture when the hand of open oppo sition had been stayed and the State Union re-enforced by strong helpers, the health of the indefatigable Presi dent, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, began to break down physically under the burden of arduous labor. Early in 1905 her physicians advised absolute rest and treat ment. In obedience to their directions she left the State and remained for several months at Battle Creek, Michigan Sanitarium, where it was hoped she would sufficiently recuperate to go on with the work, but the years of toil had wrought their task. After patiently waiting it was deemed unwise for her to continue in an office which involved such heavy responsibilty, hence at the Twenty-fourth Annual Convention held in the First Baptist Church, Americus, Georgia, October 16-20, 1905, she sent in her resignation and Mrs. Mary Harris Armor, of Eastman, Georgia, who had served as VicePresident for two years, was elected to the Presidency.
Mrs. Armor, as speaker and presiding officer, had made a profound impression upon the body by her remarkable gifts of oratory and abundant resources.

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Hoping that Mrs. Sibley would at the last moment be able to send her Annual Message or at least a brief word in parting, she had not prepared an address, but when the hour came, delivered perhaps the most power ful impromptu speech ever given in the history of the Union. Her hearers were filled with wonder and praise to God that such a woman had come to the Kingdom at such a time. Far back through the years as a tender girl when crushed by a bitter grief, standing at the grave of her dearest earthly tie and strongest arm, she vowed a vow as deep as her nature and as sacred as truth to give her life to the overthrow of the liquor traffic. Her election to the Presidency she regarded as God's way of enabling her to fulfill that vow, therefore she threw her marvelous energies into the work with such resistless force that the incoming tide which had already begun to rise, swept everything before it. She was supported by a most excellent corps of officers. Mrs. M. H. Edwards, whose sterling worth will never be known until the last day, was made Corresponding Secretary at the Americus Convention and was a resi dent of Mrs. Armor's town, Eastman, Georgia. Three other important offices. Scientific Temperance Instruc tion, Social Meetings and Red Letter Days, and Unfermented Wine at the Sacrament, were filled by members of the Eastman Union--Mrs. J. F. DeLacy, Mrs. E. H. Bacon and Mrs. T. H. Edwards. Thus Mrs. Armor had a sufficient staff at her side to call a council of war any day.
Another notable woman in the Georgia W. C. T. U. Historv came into the State official ranks at the

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Americus Convention, Miss M. Theresa Griffin, the present Recording Secretary of the Georgia Union. While various important offices have been filled by this queenly White Ribboner, her native city, Columbus, Georgia, has felt most the power of her great influence. Tasks impossible to others have been wrought by her and the cause given a prestige through her wise plan ning, gracious words, and consecrated spirit. She dedicated her pen to the interests of truth and from the day she allied herself with the W. C. T. U. forces it has been used with potency, not only through the press of her own city, but through weekly papers in the State. Many weeks and months when her oculist forbade the use of her eyes she steadily toiled on, writing or reading a line at a time or dictating her work to a secretary.
While God was seeking the first born among men to push the battle at home He sought also the best at the National to come to Georgia's aid. Those who attended the Americus Convention and followed her heroic serv ice from the mountains to the seaboard, know how well the choice was made in the high priestess of womanli ness--Mrs. Nell G. Burger, of Missouri. With vigorous brain, clear and strong, gentle bearing, gracious man ner, musical voice, inimitable tactfulness, charming per sonality, she brought to life old Unions and established new ones by the score. At the Twenty-fourth Annual Convention held at LaGrange, Georgia, September 25-26, 1906, over five hundred members were gamed through the year, almost exclusively through Mrs. Bur ger's efforts as lecturer and organizer. We shall never

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forget the holy light which illuminated her face as she stood before the body assuring them that God--the great General of the Universe was in command of the Temperance Army, that she had traversed the State and everywhere the fire was burning on the altar of men's hearts and women were agonizing for deliver ance from the saloon curse. That the signs of the tunes indicated that in less than three years Georgia would be redeemed from the liquor traffic. As Mrs. Armor followed with a fiery appeal for ceaseless diligence and heroic work, the very air seemed filled with the pres ence of God and the ear of faith heard the shout of victory.
These two remarkable women had so inspired the rank and file as to make 1906 memorable for phenom enal progress. Particularly did there seem to be vested in Mrs. Armor such exhaustless resources, physically, mentally and spiritually, that her comrades recog nized her as a gift from God, commissioned by Him to lead the hosts in a triumphant march against the saloon. In view of her tremendous power as a campaign speaker, of the fact that by every token God was calling the State Union to go up at once and possess the land, the LaGrange Convention after her first year's service as President, ordered a salary of fifty dollars per month paid from the treasury, that she might be free to give her time exclusively to the cause. As it was announced in open Convention that the Finance Committee had so recommended and the body by a rising vote unanimously and enthusias tically ratified the action of the Committee, Mrs. Armor

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arose with glowing face, her voice trembling under fervid emotion, her hand extended in intense earnest ness, and said: "Dear comrades this right hand shall be given to God's cause, this heart's blood poured out upon His altars. On the watch-tower I will stand and never lower the flag. Death may come but, like the brave flag-bearer on the field of battle, who, when struck down by the enemy, whispered, 'I am dying but hold up the flag!' I will see to it that if I fall the flag shall never go down." The French army was not more stirred under the leadership of Joan of Arc than were the women of that body by this fiery utterance from one of the bravest and one of the most brilliant reformers this world has known. A divine courage came upon them and they were ready to dare the im possible. Each felt that,

"To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin."

This Convention seemed to beheld upon Mount Pisgah, where its members caught a vision of the promised Canaan. The consecrated President of the local Union, Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, with her staif of faithful officers, had been led by the wisdom which comes from above, in planning every detail of their reception for the large delegation. Thus with a welcome that honored God, the members of the body, from the beginning were inspired to do their best. At the first meeting--a con secration service-- led by Mrs. J. J. Ansley, the windows of heaven were opened and a flood-tide of God's love was poured in upon the Convention. The faces of

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many of the women were transfigured by the luminous light of the Eternal. Through all the days that are to come there will be fixed in memory the glowing expres sion of Mrs. Armor, the President; Miss Theresa Grif fin, the Recording Secretary; Mrs. J. W. Park, the Super intendent of Sunday School Work; Mrs. Charles Morris, the Superintendent of Penal and Reformatory Work; Mrs. Nell G. Burger, National Organizer; Mrs. L. E. Farris, State Evangelist, and others as they sat under the shadow of the Almighty. The very place was holy ground. After the service Mrs. Burger said in subdued tones: "I was overcome by the Spirit, so that I could not speak." Who wonders that God thus filled her unutterably full of His glory, after the hard fought battles from the mountains to the sea, which she had won for Him ? This was but the keynote of the entire session. God's gentle, holy Spirit led in every service. The toilers had reached the top of the hill, Difficulty, and the Captain of their salvation was there to tell them that henceforth they could pursue their march with increased momentum, and the sure consciousness of victory.
Mrs. Armor's rare executive ability was never more in evidence; through the Convention machinery and her able helpers every detail of business was not only care fully considered but there was a spirit of quickened faith in their own resourcefulness and determined aggressiveness unknown in former Conventions. Poverty had heretofore seemed to make them tread cautiously, but to-day the unwavering confidence which results from the assurance of "working together with God"

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steadied their feet, and confirmed their hope that things mighty would be brought to pass. A typical example is found in a matter which came up for action in an exec utive session. Itwas desired that the daily reports should be given through the press of the proceedings, and the question was sprung as to whether the writer should be paid, thus enabling the Convention to command the best work. To this Mrs. Armor replied: "Certainly, get the best reporter and pay for the service, the Georgia W. C. T. U. is no beggar!" Mrs. Pope Galloway, of La Grange, Georgia, was engaged and sent daily reports to the Atlanta Georgian. The Convention was richly compensated, in that, a full and reliable account was written of the deliberations, thus letting the liquor traf fic know, throughout the State, that the White Ribbon Army was marching with quicker pace and more fiery zeal than at any time in its history.
Among other important documents which were pre sented at this Convention for consideration and accept ance, was the new State Charter. In 1903 the applica tion was made through the President, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Judge T. E. Patterson, of Griffin, Georgia, acting as attorney for the petitioners.*
*See Appendix.

(M)

CHAPTER XVI.
DEPARTMENT \VOKK UNDER MRS. ARMOR S ADMINISTRATION-- ITS DIRECT AND INDIRECT INFLUENCE UPON PROHIBITION.
True freedom is to share All the chains our brothers wear, And with heart and hand be Earnest to make others free.
--James Russell Lowell.
While the brilliant qualities of Mrs. Armor's leader ship were perhaps never surpassed in the history of any State Union, it may be said that the devotion of her official staff was never excelled and rarely equaled. The tenth legion of Julius Caesar's army was not more ready to dare the impossible. When orders were writ ten or telegraphed, immediate obedience was given.
Mrs. T. E. Patterson and later Mrs. Sarah Poullain Campbell, kept the Superintendents of departments with the rank and file of the constituency informed on every detail of the work mapped out by the chief offi cers through the Georgia W. C. T. U. Bulletin, of which they were editors, covering the term of Mrs. Armor's administration. Mrs. J. B. Richards, Superintendent of Medical Temperance, sent hundreds of pages of liter ature over the State giving the views of the highest medical authorities on alcohol as a medicine; proving that some of the most eminent surgeons and practi tioners of the present day have discarded alcoholic

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liquors as a remedial agency in any disease. Mrs. Rich ards also mailed to every physician in the State a com prehensive leaflet setting forth the opinions of antialcoholic doctors in Europe and America. Mrs. John F. DeLacy, Superintendent of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the public schools, wrote scores upon scores of letters to teachers in Georgia, inviting their co-operation in having thoroughly and systematically taught in the public schools the effect of alcohol and other narcotics upon the human system, in keeping with Georgia's law requiring that such instruction be given all grades of the public schools. Mrs. DeLacy, in addition to carrying on a heavy correspondence with the teachers and local Superintendents of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the various Unions, spoke before teachers' institutes, and, through the State School Commissioner, secured the adoption of the authorized text books in Georgia, giving the true teach ings of science on alcohol. Under her wise and zealous leadership this great educational department was brought to the highest excellence in 1906, only one other department, that of Literature, under the Superintendency of Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, reaching the same degree of success. Mrs. Dillard, like the conquering hero of Maine, sowed Georgia down with temperance truth, and at each Convention she was so well informed on the literature which was best adapted to the State needs that her table laden with all sorts of leaflets, books, and periodicals bearing upon the temperance reform, became the most popular rendezvous with the body.
Mrs. Mary McLendon, Superintendent of Medal Con-

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test, stirred the local Unions of the State to the import ance of using this powerful educational agency in schools and churches. She said: "Many anti-prohibition fathers will attend a contest where 'Mary' or 'Johnnie' is to recite when they could not be induced to hear the most noted temperance lecturer."
Mrs. L. W. Walker sounded a "long, clear call" for Christians to "vote as they prayed" through her depart ment of Christian Citizenship. The indefatigable Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Superintendent of Legislation and Petition,sent out thousands of petitions relating to State and National legislation, urging the Unions to secure signatures and return them to the proper officials. The saintly Mrs. C. H. Smith, Superintendent of Mothers' Meetings, appealed to mothers in her gentle, inimitable way to enlist their children in the White Ribbon Army. The seventeen County Presidents organized hew Unions and strengthened the work at every point possible. The Young Woman's Branch and Loyal Temperance Legion, under the leadership of Mrs. E. P. C. Fowler and Mrs. T. E. Patterson, made a charge through a brigade of innocents which brought the enemy to fear and tremble. The now glorified Mrs. L. E. Farris, at that time Superintendent of Evangelistic Work, wrote to the preachers of every denomination in the State endeavoring to secure a pledge on their part to preach at least one sermon annually that would strengthen the temperance cause. Mrs. Charles Morris, with apostolic fervor, ministered to the inmates of prisons and jails, Mrs. M. S. A. Webb adding her benediction. Mrs. T. H. Edwards, through her department of Unfermented

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Wine at the Sacrament, sent out Bible reasons for

rejecting fermented wine at the Lord's table. Mrs. W.

K. Farmer, under Health and Heredity, demonstrated

how children are injured physically and mentally

through alcoholic parentage. Mrs. J. W. Park, of the

Sunday School Work, mailed large quantities of litera

ture to be placed through local Superintendents in the

Sunday Schools of every church and used as collateral

help in the quarterly temperance lessons. Mrs. C. K.

Henderson upheld the sanctity of the Sabbath, and

showed how the open saloon was a chief means of

desecrating the day God had hallowed. Mrs. Emma

Morse Backus turned on the light of history proving

that the so-called "high art" was low, heathen art, illy

befitting the twentieth century Christian civilization.

She pointed out how the "nude in art" had been used to

degrade the dignity of womanhood by saloon-keepers.

None who are familiar with the Atlanta race riot of 1906

will ever forget the fact that it was instigated by an

exhibition of nude pictures in the low dives on Decatur

street in the Capitol city. Thus Mrs. Backus had

legitimate grounds in Georgia to warn the Christian

women against the two-fold danger of alcoholic liquors

,

and impurity in art.

Mrs. W. A. Sumter, under the department of Peace

and Arbitration, taught the beauty, strength, and Christ-

liness of peace heroism. She showed how the

nations should follow the Prince of Peace and

arbitrate their differences, also how the saloon was

a menace to peace in that it inflamed the passions

of men and hence incited them to war. Mrs.

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G. P. Gostin held aloft the banner at Fairs and Open Air Meetings, and Mrs. E. H. Bacon stressed the im portance of Social Meetings and Red Letter Days as an avenue through which educative programs could be given, thus reaching a class that would not attend a church service. Mrs. Nettie C. Hall lifted the fallen through her Christly departments of Purity and Rescue Work; at the same time pointing out how essentially the degredation of women is the outgrowth of the liquor traffic; statistics proving that in almost every instance the fall of a woman is accomplished through the influence of drink. Mrs. Glenn Stovall organized Bands of Mercy to teach Georgia's children the spirit of Him who "tempered the wind to the shorn lamb." Through this heaven inspired branch of the work, after investi gation, it was proven that no child who was trained in the principles of mercy to dumb animals ever grew to be a criminal. It was also shown that not only human beings but animals of a lower order suffered at the hand of a man or woman infuriated with intoxicants.
Dr. Lillis Wood Starr, under that all-important department--Anti-narcotics--taught the deadly effects of nicotine in tobacco and cigarettes, the nerve-destroy ing influence of Coca-Cola, opium, and other narcotics with all the force of her skillful scientific knowledge. Mrs. W. H. Preston went, through her co-workers, with the gentle ministry of flowers into countless homes of sorrow, sickness, and death. Dark cells of crime were visited and the vilest criminals softened under the tender grace of this--the holiest of God's teachers--the flowers.

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I I1

And what shall we say of the rank and file all over

Georgia who stood in unseen, out-of-the-way places,

holding the fort with no eye but God's upon them?

There without the sound of trumpet, or blast of horn,

they set themselves to the task of lifting the heavy

burden, and letting the oppressed go free. Their

names are legion, and are written in the Lamb's Book

of Life in letters of gold! In their presence we stand

with uncovered heads and covet no higher privilege

than to witness their imperishable reward at the right

hand of His majesty on high.

The value of these direct and indirect influences

through department work as an educative force in the

Georgia prohibition movement cannot be estimated

until the day of final reckoning. The ceaseless singing

of the department machinery inspired the hosts to

march with steady step toward the camp of the enemy.

The union of hearts and the union of hands

i

Made irresistible this tireless, toiling band,

Who without praise or without price,

Lifted the conquering banner of Christ!

CHAPTER XVII.
MBS. ARMOR S INTENSIVE METHODS--HER BRILLIANT CAM PAIGNING--W. C. T. C. BULLETIN AS A WEAPON IN THE BATTLE.
Strike--for your altars and your fires; Strike--for the green graves of your sires; God, and your native land.
--Fitz-Greene Halleck.
It is scarcely possible to conceive of greater stress or more intensive methods than were used by Mrs. Armor for two years prior to the culminating victory in Geor gia. In her report for 1906 we find a record of twentythree public addresses, twenty-five newspaper articles, 1,656 letters written, 319 postals and 1,703 miles traveled in interest of the work. In 1907 there is even a greater degree of evidence showing the most strenuous activi ties. Six institutes were held at strategic points in as many Congressional Districts. Under her direction thousands of envelopes had printed upon them "125 Dry Counties in Georgia Demand State Prohibition." These envelopes were used by friends of the cause as well as by all White Ribboners. They, passing through the mails were silent but eloquent pleaders for the right of the majority to rule. From 1906 to 1907 the cam paign work in Georgia was at white heat. Into this Mrs. Armor threw her marvelous energies with a force and continuance that will ever stand as a wonder in

WET AND DRY HAP OF GEORGIA. The Counties Which Legalize the Sale of Liquor are Black.
What crime is blacker than that of putting1 up the public virtue and selling1 it at a price; lend ing1 the protection of the law not to one villainy only, but to "the source of all villainies'!"'
/1X ^ i ^ J *$y
"The church could destroy the liquor business if it would--The liquor business would destroy the church if it could."
Help wipe these foul blots from our State. The women of Georgia appeal to you in the name of God and Home and Native Land.
MRS. MARY HARRIS ARMOR,
Pres. Ga. W. C. T. U.

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human achievement. She not only went in rapid suc cession from county to county where elections were to be held on prohibition, and spoke from two to three times daily but in some way scarcely to be understood, shealso made it possible to keep up a heavy correspond ence relative to the work. One of her most effective methods in the campaign was having the Unions at different centers gather for prayer, and after the prayer for direction and victory, send by telegraph passages of God's word which she read before the multitudes at the polls. These passages always bearing upon promises to the faithful and fearless; read at a supreme moment they were thrilling in inspirational power. As a typical instance of Mrs. Armor's almost child-like faith in the midst of battle we give in her own words what she saw and felt in the Lowndes County fight. She says: "The Lowndes County campaign was one of the greatest battles for the right ever fought in Georgia or any other State. The magnificent manhood of that county has proven that the days of chivalry are not passed. They would have poured out their blood for the wives and mothers of their county had it been necessary. The women did matchless work. Nothing daunted them, and they stood like a stone wall in the face of criticism and even threats, serene and conquering. I thank God that I had the privilege of being among them the last ten days of the fight, and for the blessedness of election day, when I felt God so near that it seemed almost as if I could reach out my hand and touch Him!"
The victory in Lowndes County is so characteristic of scenes and methods used all over the State during the

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early part of 1907 that we give an extract from a Valdosta paper dated June 24th. The writer says: "The battle here against saloons presented the most wonder ful scene ever witnessed in this town, the county-- Lowndes--going dry four to one. Two brass bands imported to play for the liquor people, left town when they saw the demonstration by fair women and brave men around the polls at sunrise. The songs, prayers, and tears of joy, saloon men even being converted, were too much for them. They refused to play and boarded the first train. Congratulations are being read from the Court House steps from all over the State amid the wildest enthusiasm. At twelve o'clock it looked like a great prohibition landslide, the prohi bitionists claiming a majority of from 800 to 1,000 in the county. Following a grand rally last night at the theatre many workers, male and female, went to the church and remained all night singing and praying. A prayer-meeting was held at four o'clock, and before six o'clock hundreds of ladies and workers were in the Court House square singing. The voters marched to the polls through long lines of women and children. The children waving their banners bearing temperance mottoes, and the women, with glowing faces, appealing for prohibition votes."
By this time the counties of Early, Marion, Decatur, Twiggs, Grady and Bartow had rolled up a majority for prohibition and Troup and Stewart bad called elections. Mrs. Armor, writing from Zwolle, Louisiana, whither she had gone at the request of the National officers to pre side over the W. C. T. U. Convention of that State,

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implores the women, through the Bulletin, to let their prayers rise "like a fountain" day and night for those two counties. The State was absolutely ablaze with the fires of moral enthusiasm.
As an instance of how even individual hearts were burning for the cause at that time we give an incident connected with the organization of the Preston Union. One morning in June of 1907 a frail sewing woman called at the Methodist Parsonage. After the usual greetings, with indescribable earnest ness written in her face she said: "Mrs. Ansley, you are aware that I am not strong, really my husband has almost positively forbidden me continue sewing owing to my lack of strength, but without his knowl edge--for I did not want to give anxiety--I have 'taken in' enough work to pay your fare to Preston and back that you may go there with me and organize a Union. It is my girlhood home and God has so rolled the burden of the town and county upon my heart that I cannot sleep. Will you go?" There was but one answer. As soon as the meeting could be advertised we went and were received with open arms by women who had been praying for some one to come who could organize for them. When we reached the Methodist Church where the service was held, a large crowd awaited us. The gentleman who introduced the speaker said: "My friends, I am to-night overcome by the goodness and mercy of God. We of Webster County who have been agonizing for help and deliver ance from the curse of barrooms are beginning to hear the voice of God calling us to action. I do not under-

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stand why these two unofficial women from a distant county should have felt a sufficient interest in our welfare to leave their homes and come uninvited into our midst unless God's own hand led in answer to our prayers. We praise His name that He has sent them to us. Friends, He has not only come to Webster County but He has come to every county in the State. I hear His footsteps steady and strong leading us to victory!"' Then in warmest brotherliness of spirit he turned to the writer and prayed heaven's benedictions upon the message that was to be given. At the close of the sen-ice a Union of forty-seven members was organ ized and the power of the Spirit so came upon the people that they claimed the victory by faith for their county. To-day the delicate hand and frail body which made the formation of that Union possible is strong in the strength of Him who has placed her at His right hand forevermore! What jewels this gracious and wonderful cause has developed!
One of the mightiest weapons in the battle of 1907 was the Georgia W. C. T. U. Bulletin, published monthly at Griffin, Georgia, under the managing editorship of Mrs. T. E. Patterson. Mrs. Armor's letters from the firing line and Mrs. Patterson's editorials were as firebrands thrown into the enemy's camp. Their red hot messages burnt their way into the consciences of the people. The Superintendents of the various departments furnished educative matter of inestimable value. Here is a sample of its potency as a fighting agency taken from the June Bulletin of 1907--a flam ing editorial by Mrs. Armor as Editor-in-Chief, given

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under the heading: "Women, work! As if on your sole arm hung victory!" Mrs. Patterson follows with a column of stirring paragraphs, thus concluding:

"Sure the final victory; Sure the great reward; Forward, Georgia, Forward, Battle for the Lord!"

Then comes a ringing article taken from The Savan nah Morning News, telling of the 775 Comfort Bags made under the direction of the intrepid Superintend ent of Soldiers and Sailors, Miss Haddie Davis, and the women of the local Unions to be sent to the Jamestown Exposition where the new battleship "Georgia" was in port, in which these articles of comfort and inspiration from home were to be placed for the use of our brave boys of the United States navy. Each bag contained a pledge card, a Testament, a White Ribbon Songster, a leaflet on Purity, Temperance and Tobacco. It also contained "A Motherly Letter" with needles, thread, thimbles, absorbent cotton, soft cloth for bandages, court plaster, buttons, scissors and various other little necessities. In another column we find reports of enthusiastic and inspiring Medal Contests held at Eastman and McRae; then comes the Department Study Programs, the Loyal Temperance Legion column, An Earnest Call for Aggression Against the Mormon Evil, Notes from the President's Desk, telling of vic tories at different centers of the State and urging an onward march till the cause is triumphant.

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When Mrs. Patterson resigned as editor in 1907, and Mrs. Sarah Poullian Campbell was chosen to fill the office, the Bulletin was kept up to the same high stand ard as a weapon of defense and medium of communi cation for the constituency.

CHAPTER XVIII.
STRENUOUS ACTIVITY--MRS. ARMOR S CAMPAIGN WORK CON TINUED--UNION OF FORCES WITH ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE-- AUTHORS OF THE PROHIBITION BILL.
break in pieces the gates of brass and cut in sunder the bars of iron.
--Isa. 45:2.
Recognizing the fact that the battle was the Lord's and the utter helplessness of an arm of flesh to bring deliverance, Mrs. Armor called upon the women in every Union to observe the 27th day of April, 1907, as a season of fasting and prayer, in which earnest suppli cation should be made for God's guidance and victori ous help. From that day a conscious power came upon the women enabling them to work and pray with the victory of faith. An earnest appeal was made to the ministers of the gospel in every denomination to preach a sermon on State prohibition, the day being stipulated and suggestive texts given. This request was enthusias tically granted and many of the preachers throughout the State not only preached this special sermon but others at different times during the year, prior to the meeting of the Legislature. Some of them left their charges in the heat of the campaign and spoke for State Prohibition and later, when the cause was at its crisis, went to the capital city and worked and prayed

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day and night with the fiery zeal of the ancient prophets.
Mrs. Armor prepared and had printed a large map showing the wet and dry counties in the State and sent them out by cart loads to be posted in every town and city, at stores, school houses, post offices, churches and other public places in the public eye. This had a powerful effect for good, the counties which out-lawed the liquor traffic were as white as the driven snow, and the wet were as black as printers' ink could make them. They became a stirring object lesson in patriotism. No good man enjoyed the picture of his own county with a black face, however small the minority who stood with him for prohibition he knew that God would help him to make his county white if he only did his best, hence speakers were engaged to address the people in wet counties and literature was sent out in large quantities.
The local Unions worked like the women of the crusades, praying, singing, serving lunches on election days, training the children to march with banners and flags for prohibition. Mrs. Armor, herself, spoke with the patriotic fervor of Patrick Henry, becoming a veritable flame in the hands of God to tear down the strongholds of wickedness. County after county went dry until it seemed that the victory in Georgia would be won by counties without the aid of the Legis lature-130 out of 137 at that time in the State having passed the prohibitory law. Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, State Superintendent of Literature, sowed down the dry territory with facts showing how

MR. FRED L. SEELY, EDITOR OF "THE GEORGIAN."
The Only Daily Paper in Georgia to Espouse the Cause of State-Wide Prohibition.

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impossible it was to enforce the law against the sale of liquor and keep a healthful public sentiment on pro hibition while liquor was so accessible in wet counties, also showing the subtle delusion of the dispensary and license evil.
While the W. C. T. U. was working at every center of the State--the Anti-Saloon League--that body of princely noblemen, was sending out speakers and interviewing Legislators, sounding their principle in order to secure a set of men in the General Assembly of 1907 who could not be bought at any price. At a joint meeting of the W. C. T. U. and the Anti-Saloon League leaders in April, Mrs. Armor spoke with such inspiring confidence on the point of carrying State Prohibition in the approaching Legislature and pledged such united effort for the W. C. T. U. with the AntiSaloon League, that it was resolved to undertake it. When it was known that this plan had been instituted by those two great organizations, a wave of enthusiasm swept over the State like a prairie fire. The counties which had recently gained the victory threw their strength into the battle with the greatest intensity. Those yet struggling with the liquor traffic welcomed the plan with a shout, knowing that if prohibition won in the State, deliverance for them was sure.
The work was so wisely planned and judiciously executed that the liquor men seemed not to think seriously of the situation. So many heated campaigns for prohibition in the State had failed that they under estimated Georgia's earnestness. A majority of the men in the Senate and in the House were invincible.
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The most of these were young men, brought up under the regime of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the public schools and Sunday Schools and had been made free by a knowledge of the truth touching the poison of alcohol. Their purpose was rooted in the heart of right They had laid their heads upon Georgia's bosom and listened to the heart-beats of her wives and mothers who, for twenty-five years, had wept and toiled and prayed for deliverance. Then: faces were set like a flint and their resolves as unchangeable as the fixed stars. Like Fred L. Seely--that dauntless Christian journalist, who laid his great paper, the Atlanta Geor gian, upon the altar for prohibition, they were there to defend the snowy badge of purity, which, through all the years of their boyhood they had seen over their mother's heart. They had come to their hour for which they had yearned since, as lads, they bore the banner bearing the motto: "Tremble King Alcohol for we shall grow up!" They were there to scorn the hand which offered a bribe, and hurl from their presence any crawling coward who dared to place at their feet his blood-stained gold as a price for their convictions.
Chief among this noble company were William Jesse Neel, William Alonza Covington and Lamartine Grif fith Hardman, the joint authors of the State Prohibition Bill. Far back through the years the golden-hearted Neel had heard the whisperings of conscience; had had the stirrings of mighty impulses. In Floyd and Bartow Counties he had poured out his life-blood for the cause and now came to deliver his State. The heroic and manly Covington, who stood in the

HON. WILLIAM J. NEEL.

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heat of the battle as calm and immovable as the moun tains which gave him birth, had breathed into his soul a purpose, immutable as truth, to break the shackles which bound his beloved State. These two brothers of the people introduced and supported the bill in the House. In the Senate it was introduced and advocated by Dr. L. G. Hardman, whose record as a representative of Jackson County for six consecutive years had brought him into the public eye as a great humani tarian leader. His marked wisdom, and distinguished ability, led the forces in the Senate to such quick success that the liquor men were thrown into confusion.
Not until the bill had passed the Senate by the fine majority of 37 to 7 did they suppose that Georgia's statesmen meant to throw off the yoke of the legalized saloon. Hitherto the Senate had been the stronghold of the liquor traffic, where well-nigh all temperance legislation had been killed. But to-day another set of men were there, real men having as President, the lamented John W. Akin, who was as brave as Martin Luther when he told the Diet of Worms he could die but not retract what he had said or written. The Senate's victory caused the liquor men to resort to their invariable and only resource--blood-money. From headquarters was telegraphed: "One million to defeat the bill." But what was a million dollars laid at the feet of such men as Seaborn Wright, and 138 men cast in the same mould? They were there to say in blister ing scorn, "Thy money perish with thee." They had come to do and dare and die if need be for Georgia.

CHAPTER XIX.
SCENES IN ATLANTA IN 1907--PROHIBITION RALLIES--SUN RISE PRAYER-MEETING--CROWDS AT THE CAPITOL--WHITE RIBBONERS CALM IN THE MIDST OF STORM.
Maintain your post: That's all the fame you need. --Dryden.
The present editor of the Georgia W. C. T. U. Bulletin and the Recording Secretary of the State Union, Miss M. Theresa Griffin, brings our readers under tribute to her care in the preservation of a graphic sketch of "Scenes at the Capitol" in July, 1907, one week prior to the passage of the State Prohibition Bill. At that time Miss Griffin was on the Columbus Enquirer-Sun. As editor of the Social Department, she gave a thrilling description of incidents and "scenes" in Georgia's Capital. As has been stated in another chapter, she stood at Mrs. Armor's side during those stormy days and held her post with that dignity, and intense devotion which glorifies all of her patriotic and Christian work. We will let Miss Griffin tell the story in her own way.
She says: "The prohibition movement in Georgia is a general uprising of all the people. In the 'rallies' held every night by the Anti-Saloon League of Atlanta, to hear various speakers, in the sea of faces one could find strange contrasts. The capitalist, the motorman,

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the grocer, the preacher, the cultured woman, the foot ball hero, the saleswoman, the seamstress, the bride, the grandmother, the college man; every phase of humanity. One would almost exhaust the dictionary to adequately describe them. The song 'Georgia's going dry' when the first note was struck, would sweep over, catching from mouth to mouth like a prairie fire, and never did far-famed giant choruses, trained for months, sing with the time and tune and expres sion as did these multitudes. At the Capitol on Wed nesday the dense mass was of the same heterogeneous description, but nearly all, with the exception of the thirty odd local optionists on the floor of the House, wore the White Ribbon. Two members of the Atlanta W. C. T. U. sat in the corridor all day long and cut and tied ribbon bows yet they could not supply them fast enough and it seemed as if every man in Atlanta wanted one. The paper filling from the bolts of ribbon rolled out like grist from a saw-mill and had to be cleared away by a maid with a broom every little while.
"Mrs. Armor, the noble woman who leads the Geor gia W. C. T. U., spoke on Tuesday night, the last night of the campaign of two weeks, in which she was slated at some rally every night. Her address was one of the most magnificent we have ever heard and at the end of it she called upon the women to meet her the next morning for a sun-rise prayer-meeting at the church just opposite the capitol. At four o'clock the women rose and as the first beams of morning sun shone on that day their prayers and songs were ascending to the throne of God. Afterwards many returned to their

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breakfast, but a little band followed the leader to the gallery of the House of Representatives where she remained fasting until eleven o'clock at night when the galleries were cleared.
"Never was there such an exhibition of iron endur ance and firm self-control as was shown by the gallery crowd on that day. It was all the more remarkable because before the House convened, from six o'clock until half past eight, they were talking, laughing and singing 'Georgia's Going Dry,* and many feared they would become so excited that they could not be brought to order. In the midst of the singing a well-known leader of the antis came in and his indignation was very apparent as he roamed around the floor of the House clinching his fists and shaking his head. This made the men in the galleries sing louder and the women laughed and waved the little flags with which nearly all were provided. But at about a quarter to nine the songs ceased and every flag went down and by the time the speaker's gavel fell the gallery was as still as death. From that time until after eleven o'clock at night although every inch of space was packed on that extremely hot day, not a sound was heard in the gallery, or the slightest expression of approval or dis approval. When Seaborn Wright declared while he was speaking that he heard a hiss in the gallery, Speaker Slaton sent up the Sergeant-at-Arms to dis cover the offender and it is said that two whiskey men slipped out just before the Sergeant reached the gallery. It is absolutely certain that no woman hissed. There were only a few women present in comparison to the

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hundreds of men in the gallery and they were anxious to keep order for fear that they would be put out. In our opinion this self-control in the gallery would never have given away if the prohibition leader himself, Seaborn Wright, had not lost patience about eleven o'clock and made the impassioned speech in which he voiced the pent-up feelings of just indignation that
had raged for fourteen hours. Then the gallery broke, and the roar was like the roar of the sea--nothing could
quell it* "One of the things that most exasperated the prohibi
tion men was the sarcasm and thinly veiled contempt with which many of the whiskey men spoke of women as a factor in this contest. Contrary to parliamentary usage they openly addressed the galleries with vapid and contemptuous compliment, 'To the fair ladies honoring this house with their presence.' Several of
them were beardless boys of the club-man type who played the game of filibustering with all the gayety and abandon of school boys at foot-ball. They laughed and jeered unabashed by the grave faces of bearded men, some of them battle-scarred in defense of their country, or the solemn eyes of gray-haired women whose hearts were full of prayer that Georgia might be free. Such provocation so long continued, was sure to finally attain its object in ordering the galleries closed.
'Mrs. Armor said afterwards that she bad prayed all day that God would manifest Himself in power and rebuke the enemies of State Prohibition and that when that great shout of the people in the galleries came, she took it as an answer, for then the "voice of the people was the voice of God" proving to the opposition that the sentiment behind the prohibition law was too mighty for them to struggle against.--[Editor.]

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"A beautiful incident of the day was when a big box from the florist was delivered to the pages and they went quietly through the House putting from it on each desk a fresh white rosebud to which was tied with white ribbon a card from the Georgia W. C. T. U. calling on the men who were home-defenders to wear them. We felt sorry for the men on the wrong side then. They longed to claim this sweet name of home defenders; they took up the roses and read the card and then laid them down again to wither on their desks. About a hundred and twenty-five of them were gladly pinned on and they withered, too, in that long hot day, but they withered on the breasts of true and gallant Georgians who thought the happiness of their homes more val uable than a few thousand dollars of rum revenue.
"A typical picture which we would like to kodak, in conclusion, was that of a barefooted news-boy perched on top of a door in the gallery, his chin resting on his hands, his white ribbon on his breast and his eyes eagerly gazing on the scene below so far distant from him. He clung like a bat, unconscious of dis comfort and it seemed to us that he embodied the thought that the boys of the future are looking to the law-makers of to-day."
It will be observed that Miss Griffin says that no woman joined in the hissing of anti-prohibitionists in the House of Representatives. Mrs. J. F. DeLacy, at that time State Superintendent of Scientific Temper ance Instruction, who was in the gallery, also states that the women were the last to join in the wild demon stration of contempt for the filibusterers of the opposi-

HON. L. G. HARDMAN, Joint Author of the Prohibition Bill.

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tion. These historical facts are in perfect accord with the wise discretion and wonderful self-command which has characterized the Georgia White Ribboners since the birth of the State Union. Their uniform record has been calmness under provocation. Notwithstand ing that, they, in this instance, were grossly assailed, as Miss Griffin points out, yet they sat in silence, endur ing heat, hunger and thirst. Why? They had "bread to eat that the world knows not of," it was to do the will of Him who had sent them there. Their heroic demeanor said to their critics: "The cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" The noble sons of Georgia, when they listened to their wives and mothers being reviled like Peter, were ready to draw a sword, but the women with their Master's spirit, were able to drink the cup of calumny, not answering a word.

CHAPTER XX.
THE WORK OF THE WHITE RIBBONERS AT THE CAPITOL-- FILIBUSTERING BY ANTI-PROHIBITIONISTS--FINAL VICTORY.
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
--Isa. 59:19.
At the very beginning of the fight in the Legislature on the prohibitory bill, the W. C. T. U. opened head quarters at the Kimball House. The President, Mrs Mary Harris Armor, with many of her official staff, were there, among them Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Honorary President; Mrs. T. E. Patterson, Vice-President; Miss M. Theresa Griffin, Recording Secretary; Mrs. W. G. Cot ton, Assistant Recording Secretary; Mrs. John F. DeLacy, Superintendent of Scientific Temperance Instruction; Mrs. W. T. Gautier, Superintendent of Parliamentary Usage; Mrs. Laura A. Stovall and Mrs. Sarah Poullain Campbell, of Madison; Mrs. Mary L. McLendon, Superintendent of Medal Contests; and scores of officers in the local Unions of the city. These women were daily sending out hundreds of letters and telegrams, posting the people of Georgia on the situation at the capital and inviting them to send petitions, tele grams and letters in interest of the bill. The State not only responded grandly to the request but many came in person and mailed checks to the President, Mrs. Armor,

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to meet the expenses of the campaign. Daily the galleries in the capitol were crowded with eager men and women wearing the white ribbon. The desks of the Representa tives were loaded with letters, telegrams and petitions which came in on every train. At night great mass-meet ings were held at different sections of the city and going out as far as twelve miles distant. These were addressed by Mrs. Armor and representatives of the Anti-Saloon League, the crowds increasing and the enthusiasm spreading.
Under this high pressure the liquor men were driven into a corner and acknowledged that "the bill would be bound to pass;" hence July 22nd was set for it to go through. When this news flashed over the wires Georgia was jubilant with praise and her people began to pour into the city to witness the victory. On July 21st the liquor men had brought all their power to bear and succeeded in securing in the House enough votes (one-fifth) with the aid of the liquor Chairman, to call for the yeas and nayes, and de manded of the prohibitionists that they allow the bill to be so amended as to go into effect the first of January, 1909, instead of the same date, 1908. The prohibition ists stood like granite rock and said "No, gentlemen, we will fight it out on this line if it takes all of this and the next session of the Legislature to do it." The Anti-Prohibitionists became violently antagonistic and declared that they would filibuster through the whole session and not allow the bill to come to a vote and moreover would fill the galleries the next day (which had been set for the consideration of the bill), with

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their friends before the prohibitionists reached the House. The prohibition leaders sent a message touching the situation to the President of the W. C. T. U.. who called a sun-rise prayer-meeting to be held at the Baptist Church (of which Dr. John E. White was pastor) just across the street from the capitol. The Spirit of God so came upon that service that the White Ribboncrs marched from there to the capitol singing in the victory of faith and before seven o'clock had so packed the galleries that there was hardly room for the sole of a liquor man's foot. While waiting for the members of the House to assemble, they waved their flags and handkerchiefs as they sang "America," "How Firm a Foundation," "Bringing in the Sheaves" to the chorus "Georgia's going dry, pass along the watchword, Georgia's going dry!"
This continued until the Speaker's gavel fell calling the House to order, when perfect silence reigned in obedience to the rules of the body. Then followed for thirteen hours and fifty-three minutes the most sense less filibuster known to Georgia's history. The galler ies and the corridors were filled with the best people of the State. Those in the gallery, chiefly White Ribbon women with their fathers, husbands and sons, sat there from 6:30 in the morning till eleven at night, without food or even water save once, the thermometer in the nineties, and listened to God's ministers, God's word, and the wives and mothers of Georgia ridiculed by the liquor men under the pretext of explaining then* votes. The Anti-Prohibitionists had the yeas and nays called for every conceivable and well-nigh inconceivable

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question, until the proceedings became such a farce as to provoke laughter from their own men. They utterly disregarded the rules of the House which allowed only three minutes for each member to explain his vote and confine himself exclusively to that point. Instead of so doing they took all the time they desired and spoke on any subject, however irrelevant. The Speaker of the House, who was an enthusiastic liquor man, allowed this disorder to continue until the people were burning with indignation and feeling the deepest sense of injustice, though holding themselves down through respect to law and decorum.
At eleven o'clock, one hour before the House had to adjourn, a liquor man made a speech of unusual indignity and the Anti-Prohibitionists raised a shout of applause. The next man called was Seaborn Wright, the glorious champion of civic righteousness from his youth and the eloquent leader of the prohi bition forces in the House. He sprang to his feet with his eyes flashing fire--turning to his prohibition colleagues, he said: "I beseech you to maintain the dignity and order which you have throughout this trying day;" then turning to the Speaker of the House, he said: "Sir, I would like to know if you are as helpless as a child that you have allowed this dis graceful performance to continue all day and"-- his voice was lost in a mighty chorus as a man in the gallery cried, "Hurrah for Scab Wright." It was like dropping a lighted match into a magazine of powder. The great throng began to shout, "Hurrah for Scab Wright!" "Hurrah for Judge Covington!" "Hurrah

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for Dr. Hardman!" "Hurrah for State Prohibition!" The Speaker rapped furiously for order and cried, "Put them out!" "Put them out!" And the people shouted back, "Yes, put us out if you wish, we will have to go out at twelve o'clock anyhow."
This "no uncertain sound" coming from Georgia's best citizens let the filibusterers know that they were driven to yield, hence an agreement was made that on July 30th, if the galleries were closed to the public and no demonstration allowed till the bill was passed, they would quietly allow it to go through. When the day arrived the galleries were empty according to the pledge but in the corridors and grounds about the capitol there was a surging mass of humanity. White rib bon was fluttering everywhere. The Fulton County W. C. T. U. served lunches all day in the corridors just outside of the Hall of Representatives. The liquor men offered thirteen amendments which were voted down as quickly as they were reached. About eight o'clock a message filtered through the doors to the praying White Ribboners, that the vote had begun on the bill; instantly the wildest enthusiasm prevailed though no demonstration was made according to promise. There was a call for Mrs. Armor and when she was found the crowd gathered about her and said: "We are going to march to Henry Grady's monument and hold a jubilee as soon as the bill is passed and we want you to head the procession." Mrs. Armor enthusiastically agreed, stood in the door of the capitol while the crowd formed a line by two and two. As she stood there with radiant face, quivering with unspeakable emotion, a policeman

HON. WILLIAM A. COVINGTON. Joint Author of the Prohibition Bill.

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approached and said, "Mrs. Armor, would you accept a mounted escort to the monument?" "Yes," she replied, "this is our day and we will take all that is coming to us!" In a few minutes he had the mounted police on the grounds to escort Georgia's prohibition army in triumph through the streets. Suddenly word flashed down the line: "92 votes; the bill is safe," but they had pledged to keep quiet until the voting was over and there they stood holding their breath in intense eagerness for the end to come. In a few moments the official announcement was made: "The bill is passed by a vote of 139 to 39."
The scene was indescribable--grown men sobbed like children, women threw themselves into each others arms weeping--bells rang, horns blew, whistles scream ed. The great crowd marched through the streets in orderly procession and in a few minutes were a multi tude whom no man could number. Laughing, crying, singing, shouting, rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory, they swept on till Henry Grady's monu ment was reached, where speeches were made by W. D. Upshaw, Mrs. Mary Harris Armor, J. L. Knight, James L. Mayson and Seaborn Wright. The last burst of fervid eloquence was made by a little news-boy who cried at the top of his voice: "Good-by booze! Georgia's gone dry!" From the monument they marched to the office of the Atlanta Georgian to stand uncovered before the noble Fred Seely and John Temple Graves, who had fought so valiantly and brilliantly for Georgia's fire sides; from there to the executive mansion where they were warmly greeted by Governor Hoke Smith, who

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said, "I know what has brought you here, my friends, I understand your feeling and enthusiasm and want to assure you that my signature will be affixed to the bill the moment it reaches me. I wish to say further that I shall exhaust every resource of the executive power to see that the law is enforced when it is placed on the statute books."
Thus closed one of the most eventful days in the history of the State, making a record which shall shine as the stars forever!

CHAPTER XXI.
THE JUBILEE CONVENTION AT COLUMBUS, OCTOBER, 1907-- MRS. STEVENS, MISS GORDON, MISS RENA E. G. MOSHER PRESENT--NATIONAL CONVENTION AT NASHVILLE, NOVEM BER, 1907--MRS. ARMOR'S GREAT SPEECH, "HOW GEORGIA WENT DRY"--HER EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLAR COLLECTION.
The bravest battle that was ever fought? Shall I tell you where and when?
On the maps of the world, you will find it not 'Twas fought by the mothers of men.
Nay, not with the cannon or battle shot, With a sword or nobler pen;
Nay, not with words or eloquent thought From mouths of wonderful men!
But deep in the walled-up woman's heart Of a woman that would not yield,
But bravely, silently bore her part. Lo, there is that battle field! --Joaquin Miller.
After the triumphant shout had gone up from the length and breadth of the land over Georgia's victory; after twenty-five years of toil and many defeats; after the cause that would not die, had risen in the matchless strength of a liberty-loving people and conquered every foe, it is not surprising that the women of the State Union should hold a "Jubilee Convention." Mrs. Ar mor planned, prayed, wrote and telegraphed until she had gotten together the cream of all the churches
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to join in this great convocation in praise to God for His boundless mercy in delivering His people from the curse of the open saloon.
The auditorium of the St. Luke Methodist Church, of Columbus, Georgia, where the convention was held, October 22-25,1907, was filled at the evening hours to its uttermost capacity, and the day sessions also were largely attended by the residents of the city. Prohibi tion was in the atmosphere and few could remain at home. One gentleman remarked, that if he went into the church opposed to the principles espoused by the White Ribboners, he came out an advocate, so powerful was the influence of the body upon auditors.
Mrs. Armor, with the vision of a prophet, recognized the strength and vigilance of the enemy to such a degree, that even at that early hour, she began to build breast-works against his encroachment. With this purpose in view, she called upon Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, the National President of the Woman's Christian Tem perance Union, and President of the Maine W. C. T. U. to be present. Mrs. Stevens' long residence in Portland, Maine, had given her large opportunity to study the tactics of the liquor men where a prohibitory law had been upon the statute books for more than fifty years. She had passed through many battles and had con. quered at every point, hence she, above all others, was the one to come to Georgia, and to this Convention. She came in the power of the Spirit, and with all the logic and eloquence of a statesman, portrayed the subtle deception the liquor traffic would use to secure the repeal of Georgia's law. She warned the women

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against resting on their victory. She said: "Before the ink which signed your prohibitory bill was scarcely dry, I dare say, the liquor forces were laying plans to undermine its strength." She declared that the real battle in Georgia had just begun, and exhorted the women to arm themselves with the best literature, the best speakers, the thorough and intelligent working of the educational departments, such as Scientific Tem perance Instruction, Loyal Temperance Legion and Sunday School Work. She bade them be brave in their effort to see that the law is enforced. Said she: "Many times have I driven 'Madge,' my faithful temperance horse to liquor dens and secured evidence which en abled the officers to close them up. You, women of Georgia, do not hesitate to do this where it is necessary. There is nothing unlady-like in protecting your home against so foul an invader."
While Mrs. Stevens came to this Convention as the exponent of Maine's methods of enforcing her prohibi tory law, Miss Anna A. Gordon, the Vice-President of the National W. C. T. U., and World's Secretary of the Loyal Temperance Legion, came as an inspirer of the Children's Crusade against a laxity of public senti ment on law enforcement. At an evening hour she gave, a strong address which demonstrated the far-reaching influence of a child in the home and the impossibility of non-law-enforcement where a generation of voters had been trained to correct thinking. On Loyal Tem perance Legion Night, while two hundred and fifty children marched into the church and presented "Georgia's Call" for National Prohibition with their

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songs, banners and rally cries, Miss Gordon sat among them as a queen enthroned. Her gentleness of manner and inborn love for children, which glowed in every line of her countenance, illuminated the scene. As she resumed her seat after her address had been given, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley fastened about her neck an exquisite chain as a souvenir of the "Jubilee Convention," and Mrs. T. E. Patterson, at that time Vice-President of the State Union, and Secretary of the Loyal Temperance Legion, stepped to the rear of Miss Gordon and grace fully threw over her head a string of two hundred and ten one-dollar bills, representing eight hundred and forty subscriptions to the Young Crusader, the official organ of the L. T. L., of which Miss Gordon is Editorin-Chief. A great wave of enthusiasm swept over the crowd and the audience could not refrain from vigor ous hand-clapping. As the children filed out of the chancel, each throwing into Miss Gordon's lap, a rose bud, typical of their relation to the work, the people were thrilled with the power of organized innocence.
Another distinguished visitor, Miss Rena E. G. Mosher, afterward National Superintendent of the "Y" branch, was present and delivered an able address on the even ing of the "Y" and Grand Gold Medal Contest.
While these strong women from the National gave of their best, Mrs. Armor, Georgia's President, was indeed at her best. The magnificent fullness of a great char acter cannot be seen until an occasion arises which de velops it. Thus it required the largeness of this historic Convention to fit the largeness of Mrs. Armor's endow ments. The women caught a vision of her masterful

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command of every situation. Nothing arose but she seemed superior to it. A leading physician of the Stat. in writing to the Wesleyan Christian Advocate, after the Convention said he was profoundly impressed with many features. "The zeal and devotion of the body, the intelligent dispatch of business, the eager, wideawakeness to learn anything that would advance the cause, the spirit of loyalty and love which pervaded the atmosphere, the commanding personel and strong in dividuality of the speakers, but," he said, "there was one outstanding star above all the others, the brilliant gen ius of Mrs. Mary Harris Armor, the President of the Convention." If this eloquent tribute had been paid in open session, every member would have sprung to her feet and given assent to the Chautauqua Salute and White Ribbon Cheer, for the women of the National W. C. T. U. were not more devoted to their immortal leader, Frances E. Willard, than the Georgia W. C. T. U. were to Mary Harris Armor. On "Welcome Night" when her annual message was delivered, instead of following the beaten track, giving the conventional, and we might say, stereotyped address on the status of the work, with a review of the various departments, includ ing recommendations, looking to the advancement, she gave a brilliant utterance, burning with the fires of conviction on "Prohibition, and How to Enforce It." This was typical of her great individuality. She had the vision and the courage to rise above form and the strength to break away from custom when it clashed with duty. At the close of the service hundreds rushed to her side and gave assurance of loyalty to the cause

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and expressing gratitude for the inspiration of her message.
On "Jubilee Night" a sea of faces, glowing with the joy of victory, made a picture never to be forgotten. The large auditorium of St. Luke Church was literally packed. White ribbon and banners were everywhere in evidence, the great flag of Georgia, especially loaned for the occasion by the authorities at the State House in Atlanta, being conspicuously draped in the center, back of the pulpit. At the opening of the service the great audience joined in singing:

"Georgia has gone dry, Georgia has gone dry,
Praise the Lord who helped us, Georgia has gone dry!"

As this mighty wave of song arose from that great multitude, there was a mingled feeling of power, pathos, gratitude and triumph, that no words can de scribe. Some were weeping, others smiling, while still others sat with the light of conquering victory in their faces. Gray-haired heroines who had climbed the rugged path for twenty-five years were trembling with emotion. God was there owning their labors and speaking to their hearts. They had lived to see the seed they sowed in tears come to glorious fruitage. Twenty-three years ago they had met in the same city, in the same church with scarcely a handful at their side, without means or prestige, their President (God bless her) ridiculed for extreme and "fanatical" views. To-day they saw their chief executive an uncrowned

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queen, and the treasury receiving from eighty Unions, through thirty-two departments, $3,134.88, in a single year, more than they collected in ten of the first years. As these jewels of a glorious past, set their faces home ward, they heard ringing in their ears the words of the Scriptures: "Behold! What hath God wrought?"
On November 8-13,1907, following the "Jubilee Con vention," the National Convention was held in the First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, Tennessee. Georgia never had a warmer welcome, for all wanted to hear how her victory was won. Mrs. Armor inspired the largest delegation to attend that had ever gone front the State. The following members of the "Jubilee Con vention" were elected to represent Georgia and accom pany Mrs. Armor: Mrs. W. T. Gautier, of the Colum bus Union; Mrs. J. F. DeLacy, of the Eastman Union; Mrs. M. L. McLendon, of the Atlanta Willard; Mrs. W. A. Sumter, of the Albany Union; Mrs. G. A. Cochrane, of the Atlanta Willard; Mrs. W. G. Cotton, of the Columbus Union, and Mrs. J. J. Ansley, of the Buena Vista Union. Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, Honorary President; Mrs. T. E. Patterson, Vice-President, and many visitors joined the party. Never were joys season ed higher as they steamed along the way and reached Nashville, where Mrs. Armor, who had gone in advance of the full delegation to meet the National Executive Committee, met them at the station with glowing face and open arms. As her Georgia comrades gathered about her, she turned to the local committee and asked with rapturous enthusiasm: "Don't you think our Georgia women look well?" Of course there was a

History of the
unanimous affirmative answer, for it was Georgia's day. "Come right on," Mrs. Armor said, as she made a path through the crowd, "Georgia is placed in the front rank, you all have the best homes in the city. You will be given the front pews in the church." "Hurrah! for Georgia!" she exclaimed, with girlish enthusiasm. When the Convention opened the next morning the Georgia delegation filled two lengthy pews, at the left of the platform, where they could hear the proceedings without the least effort Every courtesy was extended by the Convention. Mrs. Stevens announced that Geor gia would have right of way because "she had gone dry."
When the services of the Sabbath were given out by the committee Mrs. Armor was placed at McKendree, the largest and oldest Methodist Church in the city, to fill the eleven o'clock hour. It was well advertised that she would speak and when the hour came there was scarcely standing room in the large auditorium. She delivered her famous address on "How Georgia Went Dry." Beginning in that simple, unaffected, earnest, vigorous manner, which character izes all of her public speeches, the people at once recog nized that one stood before them whom God had called to fight His battles. As she proceeded with thrilling descriptions cf the intensive methods used in Georgia's struggle towards victory, growing in fervor at every step, the people listened in wonder and there was a manifest effort on their part to hold themselves down. All at once they seemed to forget that they were in old McKendree Church, with its solemn dignity,

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and they began to cheer so that she could scarcely be heard. The preachers at her back in the pulpit, among them the venerable Dr. C. D. Kelly, rapped their canes upon the floor and said: "Praise God." When she reached the closing scenes in the Georgia Legislature, where every man was brought face to face with honor and duty and could find no place for hiding, in the grand climax showing the heroic allegiance of such men as Seaborn Wright, Dr. L. G. Hardman and Judge W. A. Covington, there were cries of "Hear! Hear!" all over the house. At the close of the service she could scarcely make her way through the crowd, so great was the throng that gathered about her, asking that she repeat the address at the evening hour.
When she returned to her stopping place the city reporters began to call her up over the telephone, asking that her address be given them for publication in the next day's paper. It was striking to hear her answer them in that straightforward, matter-of-fact way which is the expression of her sincere and un affected character, "I don't know how to write," said she, "I only know how to talk. I never wrote a speech in my life." When they asked if she could not give them a synopsis of her address, she replied: "I can't write, I tell you. I know what I want to say and I say it right out of my heart. You will have to get some one else to write the speech I made this morning if you want it. I have a friend here, Mrs. Ansley, from Georgia, who writes. She may con sent to do it for you." The writer was sitting in hearing distance of this telephone conversation and at Mrs.

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Armor's request, went to confer with the reporter. He wanted the substance of Mrs. Armor's address with some facts touching her parentage and history. The promise was given to prepare as best I could, what he desired. In the course of the article I had occasion to call Mrs. Armor the "Joan of Arc of the Temperance Reform." This was copied in the Northern papers and in a few days Mrs. Armor had calls to service in almost every state in the nation, where a fight was on for pro hibition. The representative delegates in the Conven tion urged her to make engagements two years in ad vance. She was literally beseiged to speak and work in states from Maine to California. The Literary Editor of the Taylor-Trotwood magazine, came to the Convention church for an interview and requested her to write her noted address for that periodical. This call she declined in short order, as she had done in the case of the city reporter. She again referred the editor to her Georgia friend, the result of which appeared in the January issue of the Taylor-Trotwood magazine under the head of "Progress of Prohibition in Georgia."
Even a greater test of Mrs. Armor's powers was made towards the close of the Convention, when Mrs. Stevens called upon her to take the annual collection for National work in the Sam Jones auditorium before perhaps five thousand people. It might be claimed that it was not remarkable that one should grow eloquent over Georgia's victory before a sympathetic audience in McKendree Church, but this was a duty from which the strongest drew back, and for which the fewest num ber had gifts, the gift of raising money for an unpopular

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cause. After speaking only a few sentences, Mrs. Armor brought the audience so perfectly under her con trol that $8,000.00 was contributed in a few minutes, the subscriptions being given faster than the secretaries could take them down. It was absolutely without prec edent in the history of the organization. Since that wonderful occasion when all so forgot themselves as to give freely, even lavishly to God's cause under the in fluence of Mrs. Armor's blazing eloquence, she has been in demand for difficult duties in the National W. C. T. U. from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Who wonders that:

Georgia lifts her heart in gratitude sublime To Him who sent her a gift so divine-- This woman, toiling on in faith through heat and cold To free her native State from curse of liquor's gold!

Fight on, Oh woman, 'till the nation is redeemed, And citizens of all the states have esteemed It crime to foster aught save peace and purity-- Grown jewels rare of Christian love and amity.

APPENDIX.
ORIGINAL CHARTER.
Georgia, ) Fulton County, f To the Superior Court of said County.
The petition of Mrs. J. E. Sibley, Miss Missouri H. Stokes, Mrs. W. B. Hill, Mrs. R. A. Felton, Miss Emmie Stewart, Mrs. Cora C. Snead, Mrs. E. C. Witter, Mrs. M. L. McLendon, Mrs. Mary S. Webb, Mrs. S. J. Blanchard, Mrs. M. W. Scomp, Mrs. J. L. Camp, Mrs. M. C. Rowe, and their associates and successors desire to be incorporated under the name of
"THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF GEORGIA."
The object of their organization for which this charter is asked is to promote the cause of temperance by religious influence, by moral suasion, by educational methods, by legal prohibition of the traffic in intoxicating beverages, and by all such collateral means and agencies as will tend to the same purpose.
They have no one fixed place for carrying out said objects, but operate through local branches of the organization in the differ ent counties and a State Annual Convention, in which said local societies or Unions are represented, but they desire to establish permanent headquarters in Atlanta, Fulton County.
Said organization is not formed for the purpose of gain or financial profit and has no capital stock.
Petitioners pray that they may be incorporated under said corporate name for the term of twenty years, and that they

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may be invested with all the powers mentioned in Section 1679 of the Code of Georgia.
WALTER B. HILL, Petitioners' Attorney.
Filed in office, this 25th day of February, 1891. G. H. TANNER, Clerk.

Upon hearing the foregoing petition, it appearing that it has been filed, recorded and published as by law required, and that the same is legitimately in the purview and intention of the Code, it is ordered that the application contained in said petition be and the same is hereby granted, and the petitioners and their successors are hereby incorporated for the term of twenty years under the corporate name of
"THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF GEORGIA,"
with all the powers mentioned in Section 1679 of the Code of Georgia.
In Open Court, April 8th, 1891. MARSHALL J. CLARKE, Judge.

State of Georgia, I Fulton County, f
I, G- H. Tanner, Clerk of the Superior Court in and for said County, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the petition and order granting Charter to "The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Georgia," as appears of record in this office.
I also further certify that the original petition, together with the order and original legal advertisement has been recorded in the record of Fulton Superior Court Charters.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court, this the 8th day of April, 1891.
G. H. TANNER, Clerk.

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MRS. ELIZABETH C. WITTER.

SKETCHED BY MISS MISSOURI H. STOKES.
Mrs. Elizabeth Clayton Witter was born August 3rd, 1829, near Forsyth, in Monroe County, Georgia. She was one of the daughters of William W. and Eliza K. Oslin. Her paternal great-grandfather was Rev. William Waters, the first Americanborn Methodist preacher. There were from time to time, forty ministers in her family connection. She herself was converted and united with the Methodist Church when but eight years old.
Mrs. Witter's early girlhood was spent in LaGrange, Georgia, where, at school, she manifested unusual mental power.
In July, 1852, she was married at Oak Bowery, Alabama, to Mr. Henry Witter. They came to Atlanta in the stormy days of "The War Between the States," where they spent the greater part of their married life; but removed a few years ago to Decatur, Georgia, where, on November 25th, 1901, Mrs. Witter met her sudden and tragic death.
She was noted for her devotion to church work and was prom inent for many years in the Woman's Home and Foreign Mission ary Societies. Her philanthropic labors among the poor and lowly, knew no bounds, and to the sick and afflicted she minis tered with her own hands and her own means.
As a friend, she was ever hospitable and true. In her dispo sition she was ever cheerful, hopeful, charitable and forgiving. As a student of the Bible, few persons read it more constantly or with better results. She was coming from a Bible reading in Atlanta when the fatal railroad accident that ended her life, occurred. She was returning to her home in Decatur on December 25th, 1901, and stepped from the street car to the track of the Georgia Railroad and was instantly killed by the locomotive of a freight train. Clasped tightly in her dying hands was a Bible she had so long read and carried with her to religious and temperance meetings.

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Appendix.

On the 2nd of December, 1880, Mrs. Witter joined the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Atlanta, and on the 14th of April, 1881, she was elected to its Presidency, a position which she held at the time of her death, and had held (except for brief period of ill health), all those twenty years. She was the first President of the first local W. C- T. U. ever organized in Georgia. With her in its earlier years, were associated such women as Mrs. Jonathan Xorcross, Mrs. M. E. Howes, Mrs. A. C. Kiddoo, Mrs. E. P. O'Connor, Mrs. Hester A. Auten, Mrs. Mary N. Gallo way, Mrs. E. E. Harper, Mrs. D. O. Dougherty, Mrs. J. G. Thrower, Mrs. Stainback Wilson, and Miss Missouri Stokes.
It is doubtful if any woman in Georgia ever did more or sacrificed more for the temperance cause than Elizabeth C. Witter. For several years she also held the State Superintendency of the Department of Unfermented Wine at the Sacrament. How faithfully she performed her duties, many, not only in Atlanta, but all over the State, can testify. A volume would fail to tell of her almost superhuman labors in the Local Option Campaigns of both State and County; and in the mission work of her Union as carried on in jail, hospital and the most neglected parts of the city; and of her labors for Social Purity among the outcast of the city; and of howshe worked in Gospel Temper ance Prayer-Meetings and Sunday Schools.
Even after Mrs. Witter moved to Decatur, and with the weight of three-score and ten years years resting upon her, there was no abatement of her zeal, energy- and punctuality.
The key-note of her wonderful character, so energetic and yet so modest, sweet and humble, was her likeness to Christ in whom she believed with all her heart and loved with a deep, abiding love.

AUTO-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MISS MISSOURI H. STOKES.

Miss Missouri Horton Stokes, daughter of Joseph Hale Stokes and Mary Watson Stevens, was born in Gordon County, Georgia,

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257

July 24th, 1838. On her mother's side she was of English, Welsh and Scotch descent; on her father's of Welsh and Irish ancestry. Until her thirteenth year, her education was almost wholly car ried on at home, her mother and her half-sister, Miss Mary A. H. Gay, being her teachers. At this period of her life, her then widowed mother and the little family moved to Decatur, near Atlanta. Here, after a few years at the Academy, Miss Stokes became a pupil of Rev. John S. Wilson, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church and Principal of the Hannah More Female Institute, from which school she graduated in 1858, after a three year's course in the usual collegiate studies. Next to her mother, this noble man had more to do with the forming of her character than any other person, for he was her pastor as well as her teacher, she having united with the Decatur Presbyterian Church in 1853. Her religious impressions, however, she dated back to her earliest years and her mother's teachings and to a three year's residence in Marietta where, at the age of seven, she began to read the Bible for herself and to take a deep interest in the Sabbath School and the preached word.
From her early years Missouri Stokes had a penchant for teaching, instructing children younger than herself, and the negro servants wherever she found them. After her graduation, she taught at various points for several years, including those of the War Between the States. From 1874 to '77, she had charge of the Departments of English Literature and of Mental and Moral Science in the Dalton Female College. From '79 to '81 she taught a private school in Atlanta. After that she had charge for four years of the Mission Day School of the Marietta Street Methodist Episcopal Church, visiting the parents of the pupils and sometimes holding Bible readings among them.
In 1880 Miss Stokes became a member of the Atlanta Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the first local Union organized in Georgia. In 1881 she became its Secretary, and when the State W. C. T. U. was organized in 1883, she was appointed State Cor responding Secretary, holding both offices until her resignation in 1893. With enthusiastic zeal, she literally threw herself into

358

Appendix.

this work, soiling every opportunity to advance the cause. For years she was the Georgia Special Correspondent of the Union Signal, and for various papers in her own State, she furnished temperance articles.
Miss Stokes was one of that heroic band of Georgia women to whose efforts the State was largely indebted for the passage of its General Local Option Law and also for its Scientific Instruction in the Public Schools, thousands of petitions for both these measures being sent through the post office by her hands. During her connection with the State W. C. T. U. Miss Stokes made several organizing tours in its behalf, and was everywhere received with great kindness and respect.
In 1802 there came to Miss Stokes a most crushing bereavement in the death of her nephew, Thomas Hale Stokes, the last male member of her family. After a few months, she resigned the office she had held for eleven years, and for five years her connection with the State Union ceased. In 1897 she accepted, the State Superintendency of the W. C. T. U. Press Work, but resigned that office in 1902.'

MRS. SALLIE F. CHAPIN.
A TRIBUTE FROM MRS. W. C. SIBLEY.
Among the workers who came to the help of Georgia in the pioneer days of the W. C. T. U., none gave more valuable assist ance than Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, of South Carolina, the honored and well-beloved President of the W. C. T. U. of that State, and National Superintendent of Southern Work.
She was always ready and willing to come, at every call for "help." She attended nearly every State Convention, and by her wise counsel, motherly advice, and executive ability, gave valuable help to the business meetings, and in public meetings
'Miss Stokes died November 27th, 1910, very soon after the Madison Convention at which there was a special re-union of the pioneers of the Georgia W. C. T. U. She was too ill at the time to attend the Convention.--[Editor.]

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was always the favorite speaker, with her personal magnetism, her thrilling eloquence, wit and humor, and stirring appeals to the hearts and consciences of the people, creating enthusiasm, swaying her audiences at will, making many friends and con verts to the cause, adding to the membership of the W. C. T. U., and securing financial help for its treasury. She lectured in many cities of the State, organized a number of Unions, and assisted in several local option campaigns for prohibition, and was one of the most well-beloved and successful temperance workers that ever came to the State. She loved Georgia next to her own state, but worked most faithfully, lovingly, and selfsacrificingly throughout the whole South--and in some places at the North--never being deterred or conquered by difficulties and opposition, but always ready to speak, do and dare, and "if need be, to die," for the cause so dear to her heart, 'till health and strength failed, the tired body gave out, the brave, loyal heart ceased to beat, and the faithful, consecrated soul took its flight to the better world, to meet with its blessed reward.

THE SECOND CHARTER.

In Re M.,rs.PnJTe.t.iH,,ti.onS,,i.b.ff,loery,Cneh.t. aa_r,lt.er.

1iIVi

In J_SapnauldairnygTTMSeurpme,ri1<o9nr0C6.ourt.

Whereas, Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, of Greene County; Mrs.

Mary Harris Armor, of Dodge County; Mrs. Mary B. Patterson, of Spalding County; Mrs. R. V. Hardeman, of Bibb County; Mrs. C. H. Smith, of Schley County; Mrs. Leila A. Dillard, of Troup

County; and Miss Theresa Griffin, of Muscogee County, Georgia, on November 6th, 1905, filed their petition in this Court on behalf of themselves and their associates and successors, praying to be incorporated for a term of twenty years under the name and

style of

"THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF GEORGIA," And said petition has been published as required by law, it is
therefore ordered that said petition be granted and said petition-

260

Appendix.

ers, their associates and successors, are hereby incorporated under the name and style of The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Georgia, for the period of twenty years with the privilege of renewal at the end of said time, for the purpose of reclaiming the inebriate, suppressing the traffic in intoxicating liquors, and creating a high moral and religious sentiment in favor of total abstinence from all that may intoxicate, and further in their corporate capacity to have the right to establish local Unions wherever desired in said State, to have and use a common seal, to buy, own and sell real estate or other property, to receive gifts and bequests for the purpose of advancing the object of said corporation, to make and adopt by-laws for the government of said corporation, and to have all the rights, powers and privileges, and subject to all the limitations, duties and restrictions, which, by the laws of Georgia, appertain to such corporations.

In open Court, January 19th, 1906.

E. J. REAGAN, Judge. S. C. F. C.

State of Georgia, ) Clerk's Office, Spalding Superior Court.

Spalding County, j

Griffin, Ga., February 20th, 1912.

I, W. H. Wheaton, Clerk of the Superior Court of Spalding County, Georgia, do hereby certify that the above and fore going is a true and correct copy of the order of Court granting charter to
"THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF GEORGIA,"
as the same appears of record on the Minutes of said Court, in Minute Book "L," pages 437 and 438.
Witness my signature and seal of the said Court, this the day and year last above written.
W. H. WHEATON, Clerk.

Appendix.

261

THE ATLANTA RACE RIOT.

It was during this Convention in LaGrange that the Race Riot occurred in Atlanta and the news of it coming through the press telegrams profoundly stirred the women assembled there. The origin of it was that several outrages had been committed by negroes upon unprotected white women in the suburbs of the city, and the police could not discover the criminals. The popu lace became greatly incensed and the lawless and degraded clement among the whites began to terrorize the negroes so that many of them fled from their homes. The affair culminated in the gathering of a mob upon the streets which dragged two or three innocent negroes from a street car and shot them to death.
The mayor immediately ordered every saloon in the city closed, the authorities took hold vigorously of the situation and there was no more trouble. It was said that the whole thing was caused by drinking in the low dives on Decatur Street and the occurrence had a direct influence upon the public mind in favor of State-wide prohibition.
In the Convention the matter was fully discussed; the noon tide prayer was made by Mrs. Juliette Nix, of Atlanta, and very earnest and solemn it was. She prayed for the peace of our capital city even at that moment convulsed with internal and bloody strife. A resolution was offered by Dr. Lillis Wood Starr, also of Atlanta, and adopted as follows: "To Mayor Woodward, Atlanta, Ga.; Greetings:
"We, the Georgia W. C. T. U., in session, do praise the Lord that by your act of closing the saloons you have declared the saloon to be a menace to peace, the hot-bed of anarchy, crime and bloodshed. Our prayers ascend for their permanent closing and for God's protection and peace in our capital city."
Signed, MARY HARRIS ARMOR, President, JENNIE HART SIBLEY, Honorary President, M. THERESA GRIFFIN, Ass't. Recording Sec'y.

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Appendix.

MRS. ISABELLA WEBB PARKS.

Mrs. Isabella Webb Parks was a member of the "old original Atlanta Union" several years before the National W. C. T. U. Convention was held in Atlanta in 1890 in Trinity Church. Mrs. Parks was one of Frances E. Willard's many pupils at the North western University, Evanston, Illinois, where both Mrs. Parks and her husband graduated. She was very active in assisting in enter taining the delegates to the National and had many of them in her own home. She was a most valued member of the Frances Willard Union when she left Atlanta for Washington City where she and her husband and family have since resided. She was for years Associate Editor of the Union Signal and a remarkable woman in many ways.

MRS. FRANCES PRIDE PARKS.
Mrs. Frances Pride Parks, our present splendid National Cor responding Secretary, was also at one time connected with the Atlanta Frances Willard Union, though in no way related to Mrs. Isabella Webb Parks. She came to Atlanta with her hus band and two little daughters in 1888, and joined the Union which was then called the Atlanta South Side, where she was greatly loved for her zeal and ability. Mrs. Parks was for several years President of the West Virginia W. C. T. U., and when she became National Corresponding Secretary, the Atlanta women who knew and loved her, were rejoiced at it.