Two Decades Part 2

Mrs. T. J. Bissell, Phelps.

_Tioga County._ _Onondaga County._ Mrs. L. Curtis, Waverly.

Mrs. Alien Butler, Syracuse.

Mrs. R. A. Esmond, Syracuse. _Tompkins County._ Mrs. T. S. Truair, Syracuse. Mrs. S. Whitlock, Ithaca.

Mrs. J. L. Bagg, Syracuse. Mrs. C. M. Selkreg, Ithaca.

Mrs. J. P. Griffin, Syracuse.

Mrs. S. Thurber, Syracuse. _Wayne County._ Mrs. George Greeley, Syracuse. Mrs. William H. Carkey, Clyde.

Mrs. Dr. Stevens, Syracuse. Mrs. Harris Wilbur, Clyde.

Mrs. J. J. Brown, Syracuse. Mrs. G. Case, Sodus.

Mrs. Beardsley, Syracuse. Mrs. C. P. Mundy, Sodus.

Miss A. L. Didama, Syracuse.

Miss M. E. Armstrong, Fayetteville. _Yates County._ Mrs. M. Gage, Fayetteville. Mrs. L. B. Ayers, Penn Yan.

Miss Etta P. Avery, Fayetteville. Mrs. M. J. Lattimer, Penn Yan.

Mrs. Morehouse, Liverpool. Mrs. C. A. Allen, Benton Center.

FRATERNAL DELEGATES.

Mrs. T. K. Church, Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.[1]

Mrs. Mary R. Denman, Newark, N.J. [2]

Mrs. J. Dunlap, Newark, N.J.

Miss Mary Dunlap, Newark, N.J.

Of this number thirteen were present at the twentieth convention, held at Syracuse in 1893; among them being the first chairman, Mrs. Butler; the first secretary, Mrs. N. B. Foot; and Mrs. Esther McNeil, our venerable crusader, of Fredonia.

The keynote for the future was struck at the first convention, as will be seen in the report of the committee appointed to recommend topics for discussion. These represented the foundation principles of the organization, and were as follows:

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.

How should holly-tree inns or coffee-rooms be managed? What is their history?

Is it a part of woman's work in the temperance cause to attend to the enforcing of the license laws?

How can we arouse the young women to _think_ as they never have upon this subject, and to realize that there is a practical obligation resting upon them?

How can we make professing Christians feel their responsibilities?

What is the most judicious way of awakening the clergy to more zealous effort in the cause of temperance, and securing the cooperation of the church as a body?

How can we work most effectually among the children?

Can domestic wines be made and used consistently by Christian women, or with safety to their families? Is it not encouraging intemperance?

Can we, as temperance women, use wine and cider for culinary purposes with consistency or safety?

[1] Afterward President of District of Columbia W.C.T.U.

[2] Afterward President of New Jersey W.C.T.U.

Pending these discussions a const.i.tution was drafted. This was adopted, and a state society called "The Christian Woman's State League" was formed.

The following officers were elected for the first year:

_President_--Mrs. Allen Butler, Syracuse.

_Vice-Presidents_--Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Brooklyn; Mrs. Helen E. Brown, New York; Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, Buffalo; Mrs. L. B. Ayers, Penn Yan; Mrs. B.

F. Hall, Auburn.

_Corresponding Secretary_--Mrs. Dr. Greeley, Syracuse.

_Recording Secretary_--Mrs. Mary T. Burt, Auburn.

_Treasurer_--Mrs. T. S. Truair, Syracuse.

During the first year two quarterly meetings were held--one at Brooklyn in February, and one at Buffalo in May. At the Brooklyn meeting the const.i.tution was somewhat modified, and the name changed to the present one--"The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State of New York."

The first legislative work of the society was the memorializing of President Grant and Governor Dix. This memorial was prepared by Mrs. B.

C. Rude, of Wellsville, Miss M. E. Armstrong, of Fayetteville, and Mrs.

M. B. O'Donnell, of Lowville.

FIRST MEMORIAL.

We, temperance women of the State of New York, in convention at Syracuse, deeply sensible that intemperance is a prevailing and corrupting power for evil, affecting the happiness and well-being of mult.i.tudes of all cla.s.ses and conditions impotent to protect themselves from its influences, but citizens, all claiming the natural and lawful protection of our rulers and executors of our laws; that its pernicious influence in the home, by subverting every principle of right, is in the aggregate corrupting the entire national body, subverting the intent of our political inst.i.tutions; and whereas pet.i.tioning is our only resort, we have pet.i.tioned our G.o.d, the Infinite Ruler, in your behalf, and now pet.i.tion your excellency, in behalf of the temperance cause, that you appoint to positions in the civil service none but total abstinence men.

All of which we most respectfully submit, and for which your pet.i.tioners will ever pray.

The memorial to Governor Dix was presented directly by the State League; that to President Grant was referred to the national society soon to be formed.

Twenty-two delegates were appointed to attend the convention called at Cleveland, Ohio, November 18, 19, and 20, 1874, for the purpose of organizing a national society. The State of New York was honored in this convention by the appointment of Mrs. Mary T. Burt as secretary of the organizing convention, and by the election of Mrs. Mary C. Johnson as recording secretary, and Mrs. Dr. Kenyon as one of the vice-presidents for the first year.

The following resolutions were adopted at the first meeting, and must have been drafted with a prophet's ken, as they have been largely fulfilled in the years that have pa.s.sed:

RESOLUTIONS.

WHEREAS, Intemperance has become so widespread, permeating every cla.s.s and condition of society, even from the sacred desk to the hovel, we hail with grat.i.tude to G.o.d the many indications of the revival in the interest of temperance reform which exists in various portions of our country, and especially do we rejoice that the women have been awakened to the vast evils thereby entailed; and, relying upon divine guidance and support, we feel that the present time is particularly auspicious for that renewal and vigorous action on the part of friends of temperance which the exigencies of all so urgently demand; therefore,

_Resolved_, That we, the temperance women of the State of New York, do organize a state temperance league, in the belief that we can the better aid, encourage, and fortify each other in the suppression of this growing vice, and in the creation of a universal and moral sentiment for temperance and sobriety; and to this end there should be much earnest prayer for G.o.d's wisdom to direct, His power to insure success, linked with persistent personal effort.

_Resolved_, That it is our duty and privilege to stand firm in our example of total abstinence by abandoning the use of all intoxicants from our tables and from every department of domestic life.

_Resolved_, That, in the judgment of this convention, one of the great hopes of the ultimate triumph of the temperance reform lies in a thorough training of the youth of the land in such principles and practices of temperance as will show them the fatal danger of drinking and the criminality of selling liquors; and we earnestly entreat the friends of the cause, and especially pastors of churches and superintendents of Sunday-schools throughout the state, to take immediate measures in their respective cities and towns for the formation in perpetual continuance of temperance societies to be composed of youths.

_Resolved_, That the educational authorities of the state be and are hereby respectfully and earnestly requested to cause to be introduced, as soon as practicable, into all schools, text-books treating of the nature of intoxicating liquors and of the effects upon the human const.i.tution, and that Sunday-schools introduce into their libraries literature inculcating positive principles which will develop wholesome temperance sentiment.

_Resolved_, That we earnestly ask all good men to cooperate with us in our labor, and also by their votes to complete the work to which all our energies and our prayers are consecrated.

For the accomplishment of these objects we shall religiously employ all the means G.o.d has placed within our reach, and constantly invoke His aid and guidance.

This first convention was marked by deep spiritual power. No step was taken without the manifest guidance of the Holy Spirit.