V ozren's
War onz
Thiska
BEADLE.

The
WILLIAM L.
CLEMENTS
LIBRARY
The University of Michigan





THE
WOMEN'S WAR
ON
WHISKY:
Its History, THEORY, AND PROSPECTS.
EMBRACING
A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE
WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT, WITH SCENES AND
INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND A STATEMENT
OF THE BEST MODE OF ENSURING SUCCESS.
BY J.H. BEADLE,
Author of "LIFE IN UTAH,” « THE UNDEVELOPED WEST," Etc.
WITH AN
INTRODUCTORY ARTICLE AND STATEMENT
OF THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS.
BY DIO LEWIS.
CINCINNATI:
WILSTACH, BALDWIN & Co., 141 & 143 RACE STREET.
1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874,
BY WILSTACH, BALDWIN & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFACE.
A complete history of the Women's Temperance
Movement of 1874 can not be written until the war is
over, and its phenomena considered and fully understood
in the light of its results. The time when this can be
done is yet in the future; for it remains to be seen
whether the work is not of many months, or even
years, in duration. The object of this book is to fill a
popular demand for a concise record of the origin and
early history of this great Temperance Revival, and of
its progress up to the date of publication, when the
war is at its height. Another purpose is, by an ac-
count of the methods which have been crowned with
success, to present to all who wish to try the Ohio plan
a manual for guidance--not to propose a substitute for
the religious spirit which it seems must, in all cases, be
the motive power, but to supply information derived
from observation and experience as to the practical
working of the movement. As a rule the greatest suc-
cess has been achieved where there has been system-
atic organization and labor, accompanied by devout
religious exercises and a constant looking to God for
his blessing and guidance in every step of the work.
(iii)


INTRODUCTION:
BY DIO LEWIS.
THERE was trouble at our house when I was a small
boy. My father bad forgotten everything but drink.
There were five of us small people. Our mother, with
her own hands, provided for all. She earned and
cooked our food, cut and made our clothes; in brief,
was father, mother, general provider, cook, house-
keeper, and nurse. In addition to all this she was the
victim of abuse and violence. Often she would cry in
the presence of her children, and sometimes, when she
could bear it no longer, she would drag her weary
limbs up into the garret. We knew what she went up
there for, and listened. Sometimes we could hear her
say, “Oh God, help me! help me! help me? Oh Lord,
how long, how long !" Then she would keep very still
for awhile. When she came down to us again her
cheeks were wet, but her face shone like an angel's.
She taught us to pray. We grew up with a very large
estimate of the power of prayer. The day was never
so dark at our house that mother could not go up into
the garret and open the clouds.
To-day, more than forty years after those darkest
times, I believe in my heart that woman's prayer is
the most powerful agency on earth.
Nineteen years ago, when I first began to speak in
(v)

INTRODUCTION.
public, I prepared a lecture upon the Potency of the
Prayers of Women in Grog Shops, which, during these
years, I have delivered more than three hundred times.
In about twenty towns the plan has been tried.
Among the largest of these towns I may mention
Dixon, Illinois, and Battle Creek, Michigan, where
fourteen years ago the work was attempted, and Man-
chester, New Hampshire, where the “Woman's Tem-
perance Movement” was inaugurated five years ago.
In each of these places I presented the scheme pre-
cisely as in Southern Ohio, and know of no reason
why the grand march did not begin before the last
week of the year 1873. All we know is that God was
not ready to move on the hearts of His people.
Lecturing before the lyceums of Ohio during last
December, I gave two evenings to the discussion of
Women's Prayer Meetings in Saloons. In Hillsboro
and Washington C. H., where this lecture was given,
the women rose at once and declared they were ready.
I saw that the hour had struck. The world knows the
story.
I have not a doubt that the women of America will
rid the country of dram-shops if they can preserve the
Christ-spirit in which they have begun, continue their
combined movements against the enemy, give the poli-
ticians and wise men a wide berth, and keep themselves
in the spirit of humble prayer before God.
DIO LEWIS,
Boston, Mass., March 5, 1874.

CHAPTER I.
ORIGIN OF THE MOVEMENT.
THE Women's War on Whisky, now in progress in Ohio
and some other States, is unparalleled among the phe-
nomena of the age. When we consider the apparent feeble-
ness of the agencies employed, as contrasted with the mighty
forces previously brought to bear in the same direction,
their comparative results, we must credit this movement
with the highest character of success—that which consists
in educing great results from limited means. Other move-
ments have been heralded by immense and ingenious pre-
paration, and nursed into life, as it were, slowly and pain-
fully; but this, as if without concert or previous calcula-
tion, seemed to spring at once into full life and astonishing
vigor-like Minerva, full-orbed and armor-clad, from the
brain of Jupiter.
And yet it was not a causeless, aimless excitement. On
a completer view, all the movements hitherto for the sup-
pression of intemperance seem but as preparatory to some
such movement as this a mighty moral and social revolu-
tion accomplishing that which the law could not. Before
entering upon a detailed history of the movement, a brief
review of the causes leading to it is in order.
The intemperate use of intoxicating liquors has been
in all ages justly regarded as a great scourge of hu-
manity; and this alike in the lower and higher stages of
civilization. The refining influences which moderated all
other appetites and assuaged all other evils seemed almost
ineffective as to this. In vain the moralist, satirist, priest,
(7)

THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
and law-giver, of every age, persuaded, ridiculed, and
shamed its voluntary victims; in vain they thundered
against its agents with the terrors of human or divine
vengeance; the same madness seized on successive devo-
tees, and the same stream of death rolled on. Ancient
and modern literature alike abound in myths and em-
blems symbolizing the terrors of the alcoholic curse. It
is fabled as the cup of Circe, transforming men to swine;
or the devil whiclı entered men's mouths to steal away
their brains. Now it is represented as with venom which
biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder; again, as
the deadly upas tree, in whose shade myriads, in spite of
warning, sunk to sleep only to wake in death; and again,
as the serpent of the still, whose fiery bite sends poison
through the body, racking every nerve and joint with
horrors of which language affords no adequate description.
And when moralist, satirist, and philosopher had spoken,
the inspired Messenger added the dread sentence: “No
drunkards shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Yet, in spite of warnings, threats, and the terrible evi-
dences daily before their eyes, multitudes pressed on;
and, after two thousand years of moralizing, the evil was
attacked by legislators. And with what result? Those
who have studied the case most carefully seem divided
between three opinions : One class maintains that pro-
hibitory legislation has done great harm and no good
whatever; another, that it has done a little good and no
harm; and a third, that it has done neither good nor
barm; and the matter remains just where it did. Two
hundred years and more after the first enactment of laws
for the discouragement of the sale of intoxicating drinks
in England, and after a fair trial of prohibition for a
quarter of a century in several of the States of the Union,

ORIGIN OF THE MOVEMENT.
in the year of Grace, 1874, we find in the United States
this state of facts: Two hundred thousand rum-holes
spread disease and death through all ranks of society.
A quarter of a million drunkards, and a million moder-
ate drinkers, from whom the ranks of the former are
steadily recruited, attest the power of this appetite.
From half a million women a wail of anguisb is wafted
over an otherwise happy land; and over the graves
of forty thousand drunkards, annually, goes up the
mourning cry of the widow and orphan, appealing to the
justice of Heaven against the injustice of man.
The chief evils of the traffic in ardent spirits have
fallen on women; and it was eminently fitting that
women should inaugurate the work for its destruc-
tion. At one time, and without apparent concert,
notes of preparation were heard in various places.
Four towns in Ohio claim the honor of having been
the first - Washington Court House, Hillsboro, Wil-
mington, and Springfield. In the last-named place
several attempts were made as early as October, 1873, to
enforce existing laws against the indiscriminate sale of
liquors. At that time Mrs. E. D. Stewart, better known
to the friends of temperance and woman suffrage as
“ Mother Stewart,"' took up the cause of a poor woman
whose husband had long been of the class “habitual
drunkard,” and assisted her to prosecute certain dealers
under the Adair law. She found great difficulty in in-
ducing any lawyer to take the case; but finally Mr.
Rawlings did so, with the understanding that « Mother
Stewart” was to help the prosecution. She “read up”
on the law, hunted out the witnesses, and made a case
beyond a reasonable doubt. She then collected a num-
ber of ladies to attend the court during the trial, and
give “moral support.” With the women, the law, and

10
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
the evidence against him, the dealer lost the case, and
judgment was given against him by a jury in the jus-
tice's court for $300. "Mother Stewartº examined the
witnesses, and made the opening speech, as the law al-
lowed her to do before a justice; but the dealer, backed
by the Liquor-sellers' Association, appealed to a higher
court, and there she was barred out.
A few Sundays after she made a round of the city,
taking note of the various places where the law was
violated, and entering a prominent saloon, in partial
disguise, bought a glass of liquor and carried it away
to exhibit before the next temperance meeting. Those
who were present when she held up the glass and told
the story of a broken Sabbath and violated law, de-
scribe the scene as theatrical and impressive. She
then published and circulated, anonymously, an “Ap-
peal to the Women of Springfield," signed “A Drunk-
ard's Wife." This was powerfully written, and created
great excitement. A petition was then circulated and
signed by a thousand women or more, praying the
city council to make use of their power under the
199th section of the Municipal Code, and abate the
saloons as nuisances—and here occurred the first
defeat. Of the ten councilmen one is a brewer, an-
other a distiller, another indifferent on the subject, and
only three pronounced and radical temperance men.
The ladies, however, continued earnestly in the work
of a legal reform, and had collected materials for fifty
indictments against liquor dealers before the inaugura-
tion of the regular Women's War. Thus it has re-
sulted that the two contests, that by the Law and that
by aid of the Gospel, have gone along simultaneously
in Springfield; but whether this conjunction is favor.
able to success may well be doubted.

ORIGIN OF THE MOVEMENT.
11
At Hillsboro, Highland county, some action was
taken looking toward a temperance campaign, on the
23d of December. Dr. Dio Lewis had lectured there a
few days before, and made the same suggestions as at
Washington.
At Wilmington it is claimed that a movement very
similar to this was inaugurated some fifteen years ago
by Mrs. Sarah Smith and Mrs. Mary Hadley, two
Quaker ladies of that place. Mary Hadley used to
visit and remain at the saloons for days together,
There was one fellow she was quite friendly with.
She would come in the morning, and say: 6 Well,
friend, how does thee do? I've come to spend the day
with thee again.” Pretty soon some fellow would
come in, and, thinking she was one of the family,
would call for his drink quite unconcerned. About the
time he was lifting it he would feel a tap on his shoul-
der, and Mary would say in her sweet voice and
pleasant way: “Friend, does thee know thee is taking
poison ?” Last December the people of Wilmington
were organizing for a temperance campaign some days
before Dio Lewis came to Washington. But, as re-
gards a regular organization, a plan of campaign and
effective work persevered in until crowned with suc-
cesss, Washington C. H. must be held as justly entitled
to the honor of initiating The Women's War on
Whisky.

THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY VICTORIES.
On the evening of December 24, 1873, the Lyceum and
Lecture Association of Washington C.H. had, in its reg-
ular course, a lecture on “Our Girls," by Dr. Dio Lewis,
the celebrated author of a system of gymnastics and of
works on “Health,” “Hygiene," etc. Incidental to his
main subject, the Doctor referred at some length to
the use of tobacco and ardent spirits, and the havoc
they were working in the social life of America. It is
impossible to say anything new on the evils of intem-
perance; the Doctor did better-he suggested a new
plan for fighting the evil, and in so doing inaugurated
the grandest movement of the age. He gave an account
of a plan the ladies of his native place in New York
had adopted for closing the drinking places. There
were five in the place (it was a manufacturing town),
and numbers of the men who worked in the mills
wasted the means of their families' support in tippling.
At length a number of young boys were made drunk
one Saturday evening at one of these places; then the
women rose in despair and cried unto God for help.
It entered the minds of some of them to suggest prayer
and personal intercession with the saloon keepers, and
in their desperation this method was adopted. A band
of ladies, the praying mothers of the place, stood up
and with clasped hands, forming a circle which just
reached around the little church, pledged each other
before God never to give over their labors and prayers

EARLY VICTORIES.
13
until the last drinking place in town was closed.
They made a little banner, embroidered with a picture
of a little girl at & well, giving a drink of water to a
boy, and under this simple device they went out day
after day to their chosen work. They sang, prayed,
and sang again with each saloon-keeper, then pre-
sented their request for him to quit the business, and
in a few days all the dealers had yielded but one. He
plead that it was the only business he had by which
to support his family. Then the ladies came forward
with a generous proposition: “They would support
his family; only quit selling liquor, to the danger of
their husbands and sons, and they would cheerfully
earn the money with their needles, and between them
would support his family!” Deep shame made him
silent, and before another day he, too, was pledged to
sell no more. Nineteen years have passed and that
town is still free from saloons! The Doctor thought
the same plan would succeed in Washington, and
offered to meet as many as would organize the next
day.
Christmas morning, at nine o'clock, a large number
of the foremost men and women of the place met at
the Methodist church, and then and there was organ-
ized the movement against the liquor traffic, which will
pass into history as the “Washington Court House
Plan.” Eighty ladies enlisted at once, and on the 26th
of December began the work.
Their plan was to visit the saloons in force, and,
after asking permission, hold a regular prayer meet-
ing, asking the blessing of God on the proprietor and
his family. After a due season of prayer and song
they presented what is now generally known as the
“Dealers' Pledge,” and requested him to sign it. It

14
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
simply pledged him never to sell intoxicating liquors
again in Washington. If he declined, they renewed
their visits; but it was not their policy to hold any
arguments. They merely sang and prayed for the
Divine influence upon his heart. The number of
saloons there when the movement began was ten.
There were also four drug stores, selling without par-
ticular discrimination; these were requested to, and
soon did, sign a pledge to sell only on the prescription
of a regular physician.
By the first day of January, 1874, one week from
the time of organizing, one-half the liquor dealers
had surrendered unconditionally, some shipping their
liquor back to the wholesale dealers, and others pour-
ing it into the gutters. For the next three days the
campaign was at its height. While the ladies went on
their rounds, the men in sympathy with them and a
large number of ladies remained in the church in con-
tinued prayer meeting; at the close of each prayer the
bell was tolled, and the crusaders were cheered on in
their work by the knowledge that another supplica-
tion had ascended for their success. The band now
numbered a hundred and fifty ladies. The saloon-
men who remained were the most obstinate of the
class, and now began to refuse the ladies admittance;
then the latter kneeled in front of the door and prayed
all the more fervently for God's grace to soften and
convert the dealer. One by one the dealers yielded to
their persuasions and prayers, and finally, on the fourth
day of January, the glad news was telegraphed that
not a drop of any thing intoxicating could be pur-
chased for a beverage in Washington. A campaign of
song and prayer had, in eleven days, closed ten saloons
and pledged four druggists to sell only on prescription.

EARLY VICTORIES.
15
But the ladies, rightly judging that they had a great
deal more to do, commenced laying a broader founda-
tion to make their work permanent. The mass meet-
ings, which had been held every evening, at the
churches alternately, were continued, as were the
morning prayer meetings; and the personal pledge
was industriously circulated. In a short time a thou-
sand signatures were obtained to the personal pledge,
The doctors were also called upon, and generally
agreed that they would never prescribe ardent spirits
when any substitute could be used, and in no case
without a personal examination of the patient.
The property-holders' pledge was next in order,
reading as follows:
“We, the undersigned, property-holders of Washington, do
hereby pledge ourselves not to lease or rent our property to any
person or persons, to be used as saloons, nor to allow any dealings
of the liquor traffic to be carried on upon or in any property or
premises belonging to us.”
This was signed, with only two or three exceptions,
by all who owned property that could be used for
liquor selling.
For a brief space the ladies rested after their vic-
tory; but there was a great deal more to do. This
enemy is not one that will retire after one defeat, nor
two, nor three. Washington had a “John Allen," a
“wickedest man," who was willing to do mischief for
mischief's sake. A man named Slater took counsel of
his priest and lawyer, who informed him that whisky
selling was “a legitimate business under the laws of
Ohio," and he would be sustained in it. Accordingly
he opened a saloon a little meaner than any of those
which had been suppressed. The ladies came in force,
with singing, prayer, and eloquent pleadings; but he

16
T HE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
resisted all, and affected to treat the whole matter with
contempt. Only a few of the lowest and most despe-
rate tipplers would visit his house while the ladies
occupied it; but he sold liquor right over their heads
to what few customers he had. At length there came
a fearfully cold day, and Slater built no fire, but
sprinkled water on the floor and opened both front and
back doors, creating quite a draught, being determined
to freeze them out. The ladies “guessed they could
stand the cold, if he could stand the cold and whisky
too,” and heroically stuck to their work. The town
marshal was on hand most of the time, warmed boards
for them to stand on, and finally built a fire in the
street. The next move was to erect a “tabernacle," a
portable frame building, with one side open and fitted
up with stove and seats. This they set up in front of
the saloon, and being divided into relief committees
kept up all-day prayer meetings. A rumor then
spread about town, causing immense excitement for
awhile, that Slater was backed by a Cincinnati firm of
liquor dealers, who had pledged $5,000 to break down
the movement. On the 15th of January a clear case
of violating the Adair law was made out against Mr.
Slater, and he was compelled to suspend. Then came
one Bigsby, evidently a “lewd fellow of the baser
sort," who announced himself the agent of a Cincinnati
firm, and proposed to establish a wholesale liquor
store in Washington. The ladies sought him, but he
laughed at their prayers, ridiculed their pleadings,
and generally proved himself a man sold wholly to.
Satan. One lady insisted on knowing the name of his
Cincinnati firm, proposing to correspond with them, to
which he replied that he could not allow her to enter
upon a correspondence with liquor dealers unless she

EARLY VICTORIES.
17
could show the written consent of her husband under
the Adair law.” But he proved to be a romancer,
and, as no Cincinnati firm has been found to acknowl-
edge him, it is evident that he added the sin of lying.
to that of resisting the gospel of temperance.
For a few days the ladies congratulated themselves
that their work was done, but with all their experi-
ence they had underrated the devices of the enemy. A
mile or so south of town was a wayside saloon, kept by
one James Sullivan, and just out of town, on the Chil-
licothe pike, a beer hall by Charlie Beck; and these
two gave them more trouble than all the ten in the
city. There is always a class who "must have liquor,".
or think so. The vast majority of men who drink
habitually or occasionally, but still moderately, will
not go far out of their way to get liquor, and to shut
up the saloons generally stops their drinking. But
the "confirmed” class now centered their patronage
on Beck and Sullivan, and there was too much money
in the business for them to give it up readily. But
nothing daunted, the ladies prepared for a vigorous
campaign against the two saloons, though both were
outside of the corporation and not included in the
original pledge the crusaders had made with each
other. About this time the novel method of fighting
whisky with prayer and song began to attract the
attention of the press and people elsewhere, and the
writer concluded to spend "a few days” in taking
notes of the matter. The “few days" have stretched
to seven weeks, and the end is not yet.
I reached Washington at noon of January 20th, and,
seeking Mr. Beck's beer garden, found him in a state
of terrible nervousness, as the ladies had spent the
forenoon in front of his place. He evidently regarded

18
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
me as a spy, but was much mollified when assured that
I was only a journalist, and made voluminous com-
plaint in “High Dutch” and low English:
"I got no vitnesses. Dem vimens dey set up a shob on me.
But you don't bin a 'bitual drunkard, eh? No, you don't look
like him. Vall, coom in, coom in. Vat you vant, beer or vine?
I dells you dem vimins is shust awful. Py shinks, dey build a
house right in the shreet, and stay mit a man all day a singin', and
oder foolishness. But dey don't git in here once agin, already."
In obedience to his invitation I had entered by the
side door-the front was locked and barred-to find
four customers indulging in liquor, beer, and pigs'
feet. One announced himself as an "original Granger,"
a second as a retired sailor, while the others were non-
committal. They stated that two spies had just
applied for admission—“ men who would come in and
drink, then go and swear they were habitual drunk.
ards under the Adair law”—and that accounted for
Mr. Beck's suspicions of me.
The Adair law I find everywhere to be the great
horror of saloon-keepers. It allows any wife or child,
or other relative directly interested, to prosecute for
the sale of liquor to husband or father; and almost
any one may prosecute for the sale of liquor to a “ha-
bitual drunkard.”
Whether such a law be just or constitutional, there is
great dispute, but it is evident that it gives great op-
portunity for fraud and blackmailing. It is, however,
just now the strong rock of defense of the Ohio tem-
perance people; and it may be that by its enforcement
some saloon-keepers have been driven out of the busi-
ness who would have withstood the prayers of an arch-
angel and all the tears that sorrowing pity ever shed.
Mr. Beck kept open house nearly all that night; the

EARLY VICTORIES.
19
sounds of revelry were plainly heard in town, and in
the morning several drunken men came into town, one
of whom tumbled down in a livery stable, and went to
sleep on a manure-pile, from which he was carried to
the lock-up. Matters were evidently coming to a crisis,
and I went out early; but the ladies reached there in
force just before me. I met Mr. Beck hurrying into
town to consult his lawyer, or, as he phrased it, “to
see mein gounsel venn I no got a right to my own
broperty."
The main body of the ladies soon arrived, and took
up a position with right center on the door-step, the
wings extending each way beyond the corners of the
house, and a rearward column along the walk to the
gate. In ludicrous contrast the routed revelers, who
had been scared out of the saloon, stood in a little knot
fifty feet away, still gnawing at the pigs' feet they had
held on to in their hurried flight; while I took a con-
venient seat on the fence. The ladies then sang:
“Oh, do not be discouraged, for Jesus is your friend,
He will give you grace to conquer, and keep you to the end."
As the twenty or more clear, sweet voices mingled
in the enlivening chorus-
"I'm glad I'm in this army,” etc.-
The effect was inspiring. I felt all the enthusiasm of
the occasion, while the pigs’-feet party, if they did not
feel guilty, certainly looked so. The singing was fol-
lowed by a prayer from Mrs. Mills Gardner. She
prayed for the blessing of God on the temperance
cause generally, and in this place particularly; then
for Mr. Beck, his family and friends, his house and all
that loved him, and closed with an eloquent plea for
guidance in the difficult and delicate task they had un-

20
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
dertaken. In one respect the prayer was unsurpassed;
it was eminently fitting to the place and occasion. As
the concluding sentences were being uttered, Mr. Beck
and his “gounsel” arrived. The ladies paid no atten-
tion to either, but broke forth in loud strains:
“Must Jesus bear the cross alone?
No, there's a cross for me,”
When the lawyer borrowed some of my paper, whis-
pering at the same time: “I must take down their
names. Guess I shall have to prosecute some of them
before we stop this thing."
I should need the pen of an Irving and pencil of a
Darley to give any adequate idea of the scene. On
one side a score of elegant ladies, singing with all the
earnestness of impassioned natures; a few yards away,
a knot of disturbed revelers, uncertain whether to
stand or fly; half-way between the nervous Beck,
bobbing around like a case of fiddle-strings with a hun-
dred pounds of lager-beer fat hung on them, and on the
fence by the ladies a cold-blooded lawyer and excited
reporter scribbling away as if their lives depended
on it. It was painful from its very intensity.
The song ended, the presiding lady called upon Mrs.
Wendell, and again arose the voice of prayer-so clear
so sweet, so full of pleading tenderness, that it seemed
she would, by the strength of womanly love, compel
the very heavens to open and send down in answer a
spark of divine Grace that would turn the saloon-
keeper from his purpose. The sky, which had been
overcast all morning, began to clear, the occasional
drops of rain ceased to fall, and a gentle south wind
made the air soft and balmy. It almost seemed that
nature had joined in the prayer.

EARLY VICTORIES.
Again the ladies sung :
"Are there no foes for me to face,"
With the camp-meeting chorus:
“O, how I love Jesus,
Because he first loved me.”
As this song concluded, the lawyer suddenly stepped
forward and said:
“Now, ladies, I have a word to say before this per-
formance goes any further. Mr. Beck has employed
me as his attorney. He can not speak good English,
and I speak for him here. He is engaged in a legiti-
mate business, and you are trespassers on his property
and right. If this thing is carried any further you
will be called to account in the court, and I can assure
you the court will sustain the man. He has talked
with you all he desires to. He does not want to put
you out forcibly; that would be unmanly, and he does
not wish to act rudely. But he tells you to go. As
his attorney I now warn you to desist from any further
annoyance.
Again the ladies sang:
“My soul be on thy.guard,
Ten thousand foes arise."
And Mrs. Carpenter followed with a fervent prayer
for the lawyer and his client; but they had fled the
scene, leaving the house locked up. After consultation
the ladies decided to leave Mr. Beck's premises and take
a position on the adjoining lot. They sent for the "tab-
ernacle," a rude frame building they had used in front
of Slater's saloon. This they erected on an adjoining
lot, put up immense lights to illuminate the entrance
to the beer garden, and kept up a guard from early

22
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
morning till midnight. Legal proceedings were at
once instituted, and two weeks afterward the following
dispatch appeared in the Cincinnati papers :
WASHINGTON C. H., Ohio, February, 4.
Tell Beadle, of the Commercial, that my gounsel has had dem-
perance meeting and tabernacle abated as a nuisance.
CHAS. BECK.
It was too true. An injunction was granted, and
then the temperance party had recourse to the law.
One Mrs. Frazier brought suit against Sullivan and
Beck, under the Adair law, and the former was soon
compelled to suspend. Mr. Beck held out for a short
time, then yielded good-humoredly to the ladies, and
the place was again clear. Then came one Passmore
with six kegs of beer, and opened out in one of the
deserted saloons. His first visitors were one hundred
women; and they stayed with him all day. At night
he yielded, and signed a pledge to never sell liquor
again in Washington. It was noted by the transfer
agent at Morrow that six kegs of beer were shipped to
Washington one morning and ten sent back the next
night. Washington Court House remains free from
the curse, and such a healthful public sentiment has
been created that for years to come it will be almost
impossible for a saloonist to get a foothold in the place.
All honor to the fair and brave Washingtonians, and
may they long enjoy the fruits of their victory.
Wilmington, where the movement next began, the
county town of Clinton county, had a shorter cam-
paign, and fully as complete a victory. On Saturday
evening, January 3d, all the churches united in a
temperance organization; and on the 5th sixty-two
ladies entered upon the work, visiting the four drug

EARLY VICTORIES.
23
stores and eleven saloons. In three days more the
ladies came in bands from the surrounding country to
assist; two hundred women engaged in the work, and
on the 14th the last saloon surrendered! In nine days
the ladies of Clinton county closed eleven saloons, and
obtained pledges from the four druggists.
The movement next spread to the neighboring towns
of Sabina and Clarksville. Both were cleared of
saloons in a few days. But the movement had now
ceased to be local, and was spreading in all directions,
half a dozen fresh places being aroused every day.
We must now follow its history in general terms,
rather than in special detail.

24
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
CHAPTER III.
RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
FRIEND and foe alike have been astonished at the
rapid progress of the temperance work. For a few
days its opponents sneered, and the public were simply
indifferent; but as it spread, grew, and mightily pre-
vailed, there were abundant prophecies as to the result.
Some, that it would degenerate soon into a mere bur-
lesque; more, that it would run into a wild fanaticism,
disgraceful to religion and hurtful to morals; or that
it would create a temporary enthusiasm, to be followed
in a few weeks by a reaction and more drinking than
before. The best friends of temperance were not with-
out apprehensions that the popular feeling might run
into a mere wild crusade, ungoverned by reason and
unproductive of good. It is only fair to say that both
friend and foe have been disappointed. The move-
ment has gained in steadiness as it increased in power;
and instead of fanaticism, we see in places where it
has last been inaugurated, a cool precision of judgment
and practical arrangement of details almost military
in exactness. Nor has the movement encountered that
fierce opposition one would naturally have expected.
It is a noteworthy fact that Washington and Hills-
boro, the starting points, are the only places where a
vigorous legal fight was made against the reform;
meanwhile scores of other places have been swept
clean of saloons. The matter has now passed beyond
the domain of the merely sensational, and the conflict

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
25
of the women of Ohio with the whisky power is a fixed
fact, likely to continue in full vigor for months, and to
affect the politics and society of many sections, if not
of the whole State, for a much longer period. The
very genius of primitive Christianity seems to inspire
some of these praying women, and their exhortations
warm the coldest hearts like a new gospel, second only
to the fervid preaching of the Apostolic fishermen of
Galilee.
At Hillsboro, in Highland county, the movement
was cotemporary with that at Washington, but has
encountered many difficulties. By the middle of Jan-
uary a hundred women were at work, and all the
better part of the community, in sympathy with them,
were holding mass meetings every night, circulating
the pledge and giving moral support by every means
in their power. One-half the saloons had been closed,
and half the druggists had given the usual pledge,
when the first serious hindrance to the movement
occurred. Dr. W. H. H. Dunn, the leading druggist,
at the beginning of the work presented the following:
"CONCESSION OF THE PALACE DRUG STORE TO DIO DEWIS.
"LADIES—In compliance with your request I give you this
promise: That I will carry on my business in the future as I have
in the past; that is to say, in the sale of intoxicating liquors I
will comply with the law; nor will I sell to any person whose
father, mother, wife, or daughter gives me a written request not
to make such sale.
“W. H. H. DUNN."
I visited Hillsboro during the height of the contest,
and gave this account of the situation while the ladies
were besieging Dr. Dunn:
All this damp winter day, from ten o'clock this
morning till now, four in the afternoon, this prayer

26
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
and praise has continued ; and as I drop my pen a
moment the air is filled with the melody of the old
camp-meeting tune:
“Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God.”
Passing by the back entrance occasionally into the
drug store, I find the doctor and his clerk whiling
away their time as best they can; perhaps one-twen-
tieth of their time being taken up in actual business.
The doctor does not swear exactly, or abuse the ladies,
but sometimes he looks very, very weary. The front
door is locked, and the few customers work a devious
way around, a boy being on the watch with careful
instructions “to admit no suspicious characters." The
doctor says his business three weeks ago amounted to
sixty dollars a day, while now it is seldom over ten.
He dwells bitterly on the facts that he "does a legiti-
mate business, not violating any law of State or city;
that he has always been a temperate man, and as long
as God gives him strength he will keep his temper,
and treat the ladies respectfully, waiting for this
fanatical frenzy to wear out."
A fresh detail of women has just arrived, and, after
a lengthy prayer, are dealing out old “Coronation ”in
heart-moving tones. The towns-people go and come
their accustomed ways with little notice, but it is curi-
ously comical to notice strangers and country people.
They begin to step gingerly about a square off; as
they get nearer steadily soften their steps, and finally
take off their hats and edge their way slowly around
the open-air prayer meeting as one would pass a
funeral. It reminds me strongly of sights I have wit-

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
27
nessed in Catholic countries, where people do their
praying in the open air just like any other business.
The next morning (January 31st) Hillsboro awoke
to a sensation. Scattered in all the hall-ways and
posted in the most conspicuous places was this placard :
"NOTICE TO THE LADIES OF HILLSBORO."
“WHEREAS, Many of you, among whom are: Mesdames Wil-
liam Scott, William Trimble, Sams, W. 0. Collins, J. M. Boyd, A.
Evans, Reece Griffith, Jonah Langley, William Hoyt, Carolina
Miller, Wash. Doggett, W. P. Bernard, Misses Maria Stewart
Rachel Conrad, Sallie Stevenson, Maggie Bowles, Clara Rhodes,
Annie Wilson, Grace Gardner, Jennie Harris, Emma Grand-
Girard, Mollie Van Winkle, Emily Grand-Girard, Libby Kirby.
Ella Dill, Laura Rockhold, Eddy, Alice Speese, Kate Trimble,
Alice Boardman and sister [fifty more names follow], who are
aided by the following named gentlemen : Messrs. E. L. Ferris,
H. S. Fullerton, Samuel Amen, Asa Haynes, J.J. Brown, J. S.
Black, W. C. Barry, E. Carson, Joseph Glasscock, William Scott,
Thomas Barry, S. E. Hibben & Son, T. C. Lytle, R. S. Evans, L.
McKibben, R. Griffiths, J. L. Boardman, John Cowgill, Lewis
Ambrose, H. Scarborough, William Ambrose, Wash. Doggett, H.
Swearingen, Rev. E. Grand-Girard, and many others.
"And who, although not directly participating in your daily
proceedings, are, nevertheless, counseling and advising you in
your unlawful proceedings by subscriptions of money, and encour-
agement in the commission of daily trespasses upon my property,
since the 24th day of December last, by reason of which my legit-
imate business has been obstructed, my feelings outraged, and my
profession and occupation sought to be rendered odious, by reason
of which I have suffered great pecuniary damage and injury,
Therefore, you and each of you, together with your husbands (or
such as may have them), and the persons who are thus aiding you
with their money, encouragement and advice in your unlawful
proceedings, are hereby notified that I can not, nor will not,
longer submit to your daily trespasses on my property and injury
to my business.
“While I am willing to excuse your action in the past, I can

28
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
not submit to such outrages in the future. Cherishing no unkind
hostility toward any one, but entertaining the highest regard for
the ladies of Hillsboro, distinguished heretofore as they have been
for their courtesy, refinement, and Christian virtues, I feel ex-
tremely reluctant to have to appeal to the law for protection
against their riotous and unlawful acts.
“You are therefore hereby further notified that if such action
and trespasses are repeated, I shall apply to the laws of the State
for redress and damages for the injuries occasioned by reason of
the practices of which I complain.
“All others aiding and encouraging you by means of money or
otherwise are also notified that I shall hold them responsible for
such advice and encouragement. Yours respectfully,
“W. H. H. DUNN.”
An immense mass meeting of the temperance party
met at nine o'clock; it was unanimously resolved to go
on in the work; in one hour a frame tent was erected
in the street in front of Dunn's store, and eighty-three
ladies took possession, keeping up an all-day prayer
meeting. The same attorney who had been “goun-
sel” for Mr. Beck at Washington, was sent for to serve
Mr. Dunn; and in a day or two Judge Safford, of the
Probate Court, issued the following to over two hun-
dred of the temperance party :
“You are hereby notified and warned that David Johnson and
W. H. H. Dunn, plaintiffs, have this day obtained an order of
temporary injunction and a restraining order in an action pend-
ing in the Court of Common Pleas, for the said county of Highland,
wherein they are plaintiffs, and you, the above named persons, are
defendants, and have given an undertaking according to law.
This is, therefore, to command you, the said above named defend-
ants, each and all of you, from using for praying, singing, exhort-
ing, or any other purpose, a certain plank and canvas structure or
shanty, erected on High street, in Hillsboro, Ohio, in front of the
drug store of said W. H. H. Dunn; and it is further ordered that
you, said defendants, are ordered to remove the said structure or

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
shanty forth with, and each and every part of the same, whether
plank or canvas, and you are each and all hereby restrained and
enjoined from re-erecting or replacing the said structure, or any
similar structure, in said locality or upon said street, to the annoy-
ance of the said W. H. H. Dunn; and it is further ordered that
you, the said defendants, each and all of you, are hereby enjoined
and restrained from singing, praying, exhorting, or making a noise
and disturbance in front of said drug store of said W. H. H. Dunn,
or on the sidewalk, or on the steps thereof, or in the vicinity
thereof, to his annoyance, or from trespassing in or upon his said
premises, or in any manner interrupting his said business, and this
you will in no wise omit under the penalty of the law.
" Witness my hand and the seal of said Court at Hillsboro, this
31st day of January, 1874.
[SEAL]
"J. K. PICKERING, Clerk.
“A true copy: C. T. PAPE, Sheriff.”
In consequence of this order, in the dead of night
the faithful" submissively-
"Folded their tent like the Arabs,
And silently stole away,"
And at the dawn of day there was naught to mark
where the “tabernacle” had stood. It had mysteri-
ously disappeared. The defendants retained the ser-
vices of M. J. Williams, Esq., of Washington C. H.,
and Judge Matthews and J. H. Thomson, of Hills-
boro; Dunn employed Messrs. Sloan, Buson, Collins,
and Parker, and a legal contest of the greatest interest
began. The case was argued at length before Judge
Steele, of the Circuit Court; the ladies attended in
great numbers; the Women's War in all its bearings
was discussed by the counsel, and the matter finally
decided on a mere technicality. It was held that
David Johnson was improperly joined with Mr. Dunn,
as the former merely owned the property, not the
business; the merits of the case were left untouched,

30
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
the temporary injunction was dissolved, and the par-
ties left to their remedies at law. The legal aspects
of this and similar cases will be found under the
proper heading
Greenfield, in the northern part of the same county,
entered upon the temperance war with unusual vigor.
The movement began on the 12th of January, and in
six weeks eleven saloons were closed, and three
druggists had signed the pledge. The pledge of per-
sonal abstinence was meanwhile signed by 2,640 per-
sons. But one drug store, kept by a Mr. Clinton,
remained open, and notoriously sold more liquor than
any three of the saloons. Week after week the perse-
vering women kept up their labors. The affair was
conducted with the utmost courtesy on both sides.
Mr. Clinton never locked his door against them, nor
did they ever display impatience or ill-temper. I can
not give a better idea of the spirit of love and piety
animating the crusaders than to copy from the Secre-
tary's reports. Every night, in mass meeting, the
Secretary of the Ladies' Temperance League read a
report of work done during the day, most of them in
spirit like these :
“GREENFIELD, O., January 23, 1874.
“At the close of the hour of prayer, held by the business men
of our community this morning, the Ladies' League assembled at
the church. After commending our cause to the Heavenly
Father, as has always been our custom, we started forth.
“It was intended to call on Dr. T. S. McGurrough again this
morning ; but on reaching the drug store we learned that it had not
been opened since his return from Cincinnati, and our first visit
was to Mr. Kaiser. We presented our supplications for him to
God in songs and prayers, and then commended to him the
dealers' pledge. But our hearts were not prepared to receive this
blessing, and we left him still unyielding.

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
31
“We were received by Mr. Clinton in his very gentlemanly
manner, seats being prepared for almost every lady. Yet the
Heavenly Stranger, kindest of all friends, still stands knocking at
the door of his heart, still, alas! not admitted.
“Mr. Brady, the clerk at Mr. Crothers' saloon, kindly received
us, Mr. Crother being still absent. He pleads that this business
is the only one he can engage in to support his family decently.
"Better is a little with fear of the Lord than great treasure and
trouble therewith. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich, and He
addeth no sorrow with it.'
“Mr. Powell-himself a temperate man-still deals out to his
fellow men that which has caused so much suffering and misery,
because, as he acknowledges, it is a speedier way of making
money than by manual labor. 'An inheritance may be gotten
hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.'
"No meeting was held this afternoon. Although, if we looked
at the labors of this day as only the work of men, we might think
nothing had been accomplished, we feel strengthened and encour-
aged to pursue the work to-morrow with renewed diligence. As
we came from the different establishments, sometimes with sor-
rowful hearts because our requests were not granted, we were
encouraged by the peals of the church bell telling us that another
prayer on our behalf had ascended to the Throne of Mercy.
“When returning from our labors in the evening we are often
asked, 'Have you done any good to-day? It seems strange that
those who believe in the promises of God would ask 'such a ques-
tion. Methinks had such a question been asked of the children of
Israel, on any of those six days in which they surrounded the
walls of Jericho, or even during the six times on the seventh day,
their answer would have been the words of the Lord to Joshua:
I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and
the mighty men of valor.' These men had neither the Prophets,
nor the Gospels, nor the many recorded answers to prayer that
God has been granting through all ages down to the present time,
to encourage them; yet, by faith, the walls of Jericho fell down
after they were encompassed about seven days. Even so, dear
friends, shall it be with us. 'He that goeth forth weeping, bear-
ing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.'”

THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
“GREENFIELD, O., February 6, 1874.
“This morning we met at the church with our friends in the
temperance cause, not to prepare to make our usual daily visits,
but to spend the day with them in humble prayer and thanksgiv-
ing, for we verily believe the eyes of the Lord are upon us in this
place, and He will attend unto our prayers. Hitherto hath He
helped us, and He will not forsake his children.
"As we looked over the congregation we saw the face of one
here and another there who had been in the bitter bondage of
intemperance, but now, with beaming countenance, listening to
the words that fell from the lips of our dear friends; and as we
knew that the stretched-out arm of Jehovah had redeemed them
our hearts swelled with gratitude, and the prayer ascended to God
that He would breathe His Holy Spirit upon every part of our
nation and send them this blessing.
“And when the morning was past we felt 'Surely the Lord is in
this place; this is none other but the house of God and the gate
of heaven.
“During the services a communication from our brethren of the
German Methodist Episcopal Church was read before the Temper-
ance Association, and it was incorporated in the report of the
League:
GREENFIELD, O., February 4, 1874.
At the leaders' meeting of the German Methodist Episcopal
Church of this place, the following resolution was passed to rectify
the reports that have been circulating in this community, viz.:
That all the members of our Church, with the exception of one or
two, were against the temperance cause. The pledge that is now
circulating in our Church will prove to the the contrary.
6. We, the undersigned ladies of said Church hereby wish to ex-
press - our feelings and to assure you that we are in perfect har-
mony with you in striving against this great evil of intoxication,
and further pledge ourselves to do all we can in favor of the tem-
perance cause.
«O. WILKE, Preacher in charge,
“FREDERICK SCHNARRENBERGER,
666 WILLIAM BUESE,
"C. M. NEWBECK,
66H. OSWALD,
6. CHARLES STROBEL,'

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
33
“ Also, since coming into the church this evening, we have re-
ceived encouragement from another source:
(GREENFIELD LODGE, No. 318, F. AND A. M.
"10 the Ladies of the Temperance League of Greenfield, 0.-Greeting:
“WHEREAS, This lodge has long felt the importance of sup-
pressing the liquor traffic in our midst; and, WHEREAS, The noble
women of our town have banded themselves together, and have gone
forth, in the strength of Israel's God, to pray for and plead with
those engaged in a business that is desolating so many homes to
abandon such business; therefore, be it
“'Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the ladies
of the League engaged in this glorious work of reformation, and
hope you will never cease your labor of love until victory perches
upon the temperance banner-until there shall not be one place in
our town where intoxicating liquor is sold as a beverage.
"'HORACE STRICKLAND, Secretary.
'GREENFIELD, 0., February 4, 1874.'
“In the afternoon, at the ringing of the bell, we were glad when
they said unto us, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord,' still re-
membering the precious season of this morning.
“Although it had been announced that the services were to be
a' Children's Meeting,' not one of the little bright-eyed types of
innocence listened more attentively, nor enjoyed the meeting bet-
ter, than the old brothers and sisters, the fathers and mothers, or
the gray-haired grandfathers and grandmothers; for our Savior
said, 'Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.'
"It was a pleasure, too, to know that the saloons of our town
were closed with the other business establishments all day, and to
have the proprietors come out to church with us as our brethren.
"Oh, that they were wise; that they would understand this; that
they would consider their latter end! How should one chase a
thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their rock has
sold them, and the Lord had shut them up ? For their rock is
not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being our judges. *
* * * Their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel venom
of asps. Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among
my treasures ? To me belongeth vengeance and recompense;
their foot shall slide in due time, for the day of their calamity is
at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.'
“KATE DWYER, Secretary.”

34
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
Men may say what they please about the weakness
of being moved by such demonstrations—and those
who can keep out of the way do say a great deal; but
when one gets into the midst of it and sees old gray-
haired mothers and middle-aged matrons pleading with
rum-sellers not to ruin their peace and that of the com-
munity, it has a telling effect. When kept up a few
days the whole community is warmed, the latent sym-
pathy is aroused, and a glow spreads among all classes ;
the whisky men are soon made to feel that everybody
is against them, and unless endowed with a great deal
of brute-nerve they fly or yield. It is easy to yield;
hard to hold out. It requires immense moral force to
withstand a whole community, even when one has the
right back of him. But what has the saloon-keeper
to fall back upon ?
The element of love and good will in this movement
makes it a hard thing to fight. One lady at Green-
field remarked on this point:
“We intend to cure this disease by a better treatment that shall
not leave a drug disease in the system. Extirpation by law would
leave hatreds and jealousies in the community; but prayer and
good words leave no sting behind. We don't intend to try legal
remedies till prayer and good words are exhausted, and love has
lost its power; and we don't intend that shall be until the whole
work is accomplished.”
And truly there is philosophy in this. Dr. Clinton
could not always withstand the prayers and pleadings
of good women, his neighbors; he yielded at last, with
the best of grace, and now Greenfield is freed from the
curse and without any bitter memories to disturb her
peace. The ladies there have been earnest in assist-
ing other places, helping on the temperance cause by
every means in their power.

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
35
New Vienna, a few miles west of Greenfield, was
destined to an unpleasant notoriety for a time as the
home of “the wickedest man in Ohio.” The move-
ment began there the second week in January, and in
a week all the saloons were closed but two: one kept
by a German woman, named Rice, and the other, a
regular “dead-fall” near the depot, by John Calvin
Van Pelt. He seemed to hold to predestination, for he
swore that all the prayers of all the women in New
Vienna would never move him, and that he would
“baptize the women if they troubled him again.” The
next day, when they entered the saloon, they were
ordered to leave in so many minutes. Not to be fright-
ened, they commenced their devotional exercises. When
the words “May the Lord baptize him with his holy
spirit,” were spoken, Van Pelt hurled a bucket of filthy
water at them, saying: “G-d- you, I'll baptize you."
Several buckets of water were thrown, but the ladies
heroically stood to their post, although drenched with
dirty water. Water failing, beer was thrown, until the
ladies were compelled to retire to the outside of the
door, where they concluded their devotions. Mean-
while Van Pelt stood at the window, relieving himself
of all the filthy epithets known to that class of men.
When the procession started to leave the door was
thrown open and all invited to come in—that they
could have whisky by the pint or half-pint, to suit ous-
tomers.
Nothing but the intercession of the ladies prevented
a mob. Van Pelt was arrested, put in jail, bailed out,
then arrested on another charge. He came out again
more bitter than ever, and for ten days there was great
bitterness in New Vienna. If it had been between men
alone, he would either have been killed, or fighting

36
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
yet; but the whole affair was put under the direction
of the ladies, and like all the rest Van Pelt yielded at
last. He had become so notorious that when it was
rumored about town that he was ready to surrender
all the church bells rang merrily, and nearly every-
body in town assembled at the “dead-fall.” After ar-
riving at his door the women commenced singing, and
Van Pelt and several ministers commenced rolling out
the whisky, etc., and also the fixtures. Van Pelt then
requested that as this was a woman's meeting, and
their work, he wished the men to cross the street, with
the exception of the ministers, who were allowed to
remain. The men consented to his request and left.
He then rolled out one barrel of whisky, one barrel of
cider, and one keg of beer, and with an ax knocked in
the heads of all.
Then, after singing and prayer, he made a few re-
marks, saying: “Ladies, I now promise you to never
sell or drink another drop of whisky as long as I live,
and also promise to work with you in the cause with
as much zeal as I have worked against you." He also
remarked that he hoped the women of the United
States would never cease until every drop of whisky
was emptied upon the ground as his was.
This was on the 4th of February. Mrs. Rice sur-
rendered the same day, and in one week thereafter
Van Pelt was traveling as a temperance lecturer! As
a matter of unusual interest I present bis first speech,
delivered at Hillsboro, February 7th, before the mass
temperance convention. First apologizing for the
grammatical mistakes that he might make, as he was
not an educated man, he spoke as follows:
“The question of the greatest moment to us who are now en-
gaged in this temperance reform is, whether we are working in

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
37
the right way. Various ways have been tried in the last sixty
years, and they have all failed; and why? because there was no
heart in them. Men undertook them and failed because they were
not sufficiently interested. I believe that these noble women have
found the right way, that it is their work, that they are the in-
jured parties, and that they alone can succeed, trusting as they do
in the help of Almighty God.”
Here Van Pelt answered, in a very satisfactory way,
many of the arguments which he had himself used in
favor of the business, when he was first visited by the
temperance ladies. He then continued as follows:
"How would men proceed if they wanted to dry up the Ohio
River? Would not their efforts be directed to drying up the foun-
tains that feed it? Then only would their purpose be accomplished.
So it is with you, dear sisters. Although many say that you are
not accomplishing much, that you have too great a task before you,
don't be discouraged. You are drying up the fountains (now this
one, now that) that feed this great river of intemperance. All
over our State these fountains are being dried up, and soon your
prayers will be answered by an Almighty God, and this great curse
will be eternally swept from our land. I am requested by some of
these gentlemen to give you some of my experience, but I don't
like to do it, for I am ashamed to think how I made these dear
sisters suffer. Since I am a changed man, I don't like to speak
about it. You all know what a monster I have been pictured ;
what a hard case I was, almost a demon in human form; what
outrageous acts I have done. When these dear sisters called on
me first, I looked at this question through the green spectacles of
greenbacks, and I endeavored in every manner to drive these
brave suffering women away. In addition to my own determina-
tion, I had strong inducements offered me to hold out; why, one
wholesale whisky man, from Cincinnati, said to me: 'Van Pelt,
how much will you take to hold out a year?' I told him that I
was a free man, and that I intended to keep free; that I had no
price. Why, that man offered to furnish me, free of all charge, all
the whisky, wine, and beer that I could sell in Vienna in a year, if
I only would hold out. I tell you that man's proposition set me
to thinking that their foundations were getting mighty shaky, ií

38
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
they were obliged to offer such inducements. I knew all the time
I was doing wrong, but after that, I came to the conclusion that a
man who could be hired to do wrong was the meanest kind of a
man. I saw myself as my neighbor saw me. Could I be a man,
and take the last dime from a drunkard, without seeing the suffer-
ing faces of starving children ever before me? I saw myself the
monster that I was pictured, and last Monday morning I saw those
dear sisters kneeling in the sleet and snow of that terrible day, and
heard them offering such fervent prayers for blessings on me, I
almost felt that my hand would be paralyzed if ever again I re-
ceived the drunkard's money, and I dared not longer refuse the
visitation of my God. I was conquered then, but I did not give
up until a few days later. I tell you, friends, I slept well after
that, and now to-day, friends, Vienna is free, and every face you
meęt is a smiling one; you can feel the working of the Almighty
God, and soon I hope that this blessed peace will be all over the
land, and the great curse swept away.”
During the delivery of this Mr. Van Pelt was fre-
quently applauded. “Hold on, my brother, hold on,”
was then enthusiastically sung.
Morrow, thirty miles from Cincinnati, at the junc-
tion of the Little Miami and Muskingum Valley Rail-
roads, presented probably the most hopeless prospect
in Ohio to the crusaders; and the ladies of that place
may justly claim the honor of having finished the
hardest task of all. In Washington the movement had
the advantage of novelty; in other places there was
only a limited interest in the liquor business. But
Morrow had all the disadvantages of both city and
country, and the advantages of neither. Here is the
state of facts, existing January 26, when the ladies
began their work:
Population, eleven hundred; drinking places, fif-
teen; increase of population in ten years, two hundred
persons; increase of municipal taxation, one hundred
and thirty per cent.; decline in business reported at

RAPID EXTENSION OF THE WORK.
39
twenty-five per cent.; manufactures nothing, and no
increase in the value of property; eighteen vacant
dwelling-houses, and numbers of the best citizens re-
moved. Such are the facts given me by the "old and
reliable.” Verily, it was time for the law or the gospel
to do something. The place has a beautiful and ro-
mantic site. They have three railroads, and expect
connection soon with a trunk line to the East. On one
side is the river, and on the other the beautiful hill,
with hundreds of sites for palatial residences. In the
neighborhood is good fishing and hunting, and all
around is scenery unsurpassed in the State of Ohio.
Apparently, this is just the place for a favorite sum-
mer resort.
Twenty-five years ago Morrow had aspirations.
There were, and are, unsurpassed facilities for man-
facturing-still unimproved. Three large hotels at
that time were filled most of the summer with fam-
ilies and visitors from Cincinnati. The society was
good; church, school, and lyceum were thoroughly or-
ganized, and, besides the manufacturing interests which
were being established, the place expected to become
a city of elegant retired country seats. Somehow the
saloons got the start, the manufacturers took the alarm,
the expected good families did not come, and many that
were here moved away. If the place has improved in
twenty years, that fact is not apparent to the naked
eye. Still there are many good families in Morrow.
They have borne the demoralization and tyranny of
the whisky power until it has become a question of life
and death with them; and they have entered on this
struggle in the spirit which patriots fight for their
homes; feeling that unless they conquer, they must
emigrate. It was not a question of philanthropy

40.
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
alone, and other people's good, here as in some places;
they must conquer or die.
The good women entered upon the almost hopeless
task, and by incessant labor literally created a health-
ful public sentiment-it is safe to say that little of it
existed before—and in one month had closed two-
thirds of the saloons. I visited Morrow soon after the
movement was inaugurated, and was witness to many
painful and affecting scenes. It seemed to me that the
place was whisky-ridden, and sold wholly to Satan;
and I could but look upon the praying women as those
who labor without hope. But the sequel showed that
I had underrated the power in this movement. I was
present at a meeting in one saloon, known as the
“ Blue Goose," kept by a woman. She had several
young children, who stood around in open-mouthed
wonder—too young to know what it all meant. The
ladies completely filled the little “shanty," and after
the singing Mrs. J. Graham offered up a fervent prayer.
Never was there an orator who more fully realized the
situation and fitted the words to the case. It was pre-
eminently the prayer of a mother, for a mother, and
in the interest of all mothers. As her earnest, plead-
ing petition arose that these children might never
suffer from the evils to which they were daily exposed,
tears rolled down many faces, and the few revellers
who had been surprised in the saloon, withdrew
silently, with impressions they can not soon shake off.
At this writing Morrow has but. two saloons remain-
ing, both closely besieged, and nearly the entire popu-
lation have signed the personal pledge. One saloonist
obtained a legal injunction against the ladies, of which
a particular account is given under the proper head-
ing

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
CHAPTER IV.
CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
INDICATIONS now pointed toward a national move-
ment in the interests of temperance. Daily papers
filled their columns with particular accounts of the
work in various places. On a single day tha Cincin-
nati Commercial and Gazette contained reports, by letter
or telegraph, from fifty towns where the movement
was in progress. The press of the Eastern cities began
to give full details, and commented with various de-
grees of praise or blame. A few earnest temperance
men felt bound to disapprove the methods of the move-
ment, but the majority looked upon it as an opening
of Providence for the more rapid regeneration of
humanity. Henry Ward Beecher pronounced it “a
wonderful religious revival, with a special look toward
temperance.” Dr. Dio Lewis, by virtue of having
first suggested the movement, suddenly found himself
in demand. The temperance men of Boston decided
to inaugurate the movement in their State, and con-
cluded to begin at Worcester. They called Dr. Lewis
to assist them, but he replied that “the best point to
fight intemperance in Massachusetts was just now in
Ohio.” He would come here, devote a few weeks to
the work, then return and enter upon a campaign in
Massachusetts. With this purpose he came to Cincin-
nati, having telegraphed the noted Van Pelt to meet
him at the Burnet House. There he suggested to the
latter that a relation of his experience, and the evils
2*

42
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
of the liquor traffic, which he knew, by long observa-
tion, would be of great advantage to the temperance
cause. Van Pelt consented to serve the cause in that
way, and a campaign was at once arranged, taking in
all points where the movement needed a start or en-
couragement. Four journalists, representing various
Cincinnati papers and the New York Tribune, accom-
panied the two temperance apostles; and the tour was
one of great interest.
Xenia was the first point where Dr. Lewis was
called upon to show his abilities as an organizer. It
was one of the places the crusaders against whisky
have hesitated to attack; not that it is exceptionally
bad, but it has the two disadvantages—it is a city of
eight thousand people, and a rather conservative, aris-
tocratic one. Even among the most sanguine reform-
ers, one often hears this expression: “It will work
first-rate in places of two or three thousand, but when
they come to the larger cities, they'll be defeated.”
An immense audience welcomed the Doctor, and he
plunged at once into the subject by stating that he con-
sidered this the most important meeting ever held in
Xenia. He continued: “I feel a deep anxiety lest the
little I have to say shall not be well said, for this move-
ment of the praying women of Ohio has got beyond the
direction of any one man; its control belongs only to
God.” Some startling statements from various judges
were then presented, as to the proportion of crimes
caused by intoxication, the speaker having the testi-
mony of nineteen eminent jurists, none of whom were
temperance men.
In a meeting he had recently attended, a clergy-
man had recommended the introduction of the light
wines of France and Germany to suppress our fiery

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
43
stimulants; but, said the Doctor, I would not walk
across the street to aid any temperance reform that
did not plant its two feet square on the rock of total
abstinence. [Applause.]
Dr. J. G. Holland had stood for twenty years directly
in the path of the temperance reformation of New
England by his position on this subject. Said he:
“You are not going to work in the right way; men
will have stimulants of some kind, the desire for them
is as natural as for air and sunlight. In Southern Eu-
rope every one drinks his half pint or pint of wine
daily, and is the better for it. Let us induce our peo-
ple to use these stimulants and all will be well.” At
last Dr. Holland went to Europe, and what did he see?
He is a man that prides himself on his consistency.
A great deal of his time is taken up in proving that he
does not change; that he thinks just as he did seven-
teen hundred years ago-more or less. But when he
got to Southern Europe he took the back track for the
first time, so far as I know, in his life. Said he: “God
forbid that the drinking customs of my country should
be changed for those of this land! Bad as they are
there, they are worse here." I too went to Southern
Europe, where men use these light wines. And what
is the secret of their demoralization there? The wo-
men drink!! Every woman as well as every man;
and during the time I was there I never heard a wo-
man decline to drink, except because of sickness; and
one hour after dinner you could see the effect of wine
drinking in the face and eye of every woman of the
company! And it is only because the praying mothers
and faithful wives of Ohio do not drink that they
hate, loathe, abhor the deadly stuff, that they fight it

44
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
from their houses as the presence of death, that any
such movement as this is possible.
A scathing criticism of moderate drinkers followed.
Who, he asked, set the example which young drinkers
follow ? Evidently not the drunkards, the men who
get drunk every time they get the means; for all
classes look upon them as disgusting. Nor is it the
middle class, who drink habitually and get drunk oc-
casionally; for in every family and social circle you
will hear them spoken of thus: “Mr. A. has a good
bank account now, but if he goes on this way five
years, it won't be so. Mr. B.'s credit is good to-day,
but he will be a pauper in ten years if he don't let
liquor alone. No; no young man feels called on to
imitate them. No; it is the nice, elegant fellows, who
turn up delicate cut glasses, and sip the finest foreign
wines; or the sturdy, honest old gentleman who takes
only pure Bourbon; and the families that keep a little
cordial for sociability, or a bottle of brandy in the
house “ for fear some should be taken suddenly sick in
the night!” These are the men who set the fashion,
whose every word and motion was imitated. For it is
but a few men who set the style for a place; it is but a
small number of women who determine the fashion.
And there are women, and in the best society, to our
shame be it said, who serve as agents to recruit the
devil's army of drunkards.
Mrs. Colonel Smith smiles sweetly the first day of
January, as she says to the innocent young man who
calls, “ Take a glass of wine with me before you go."
And to that young man she is a very goddess, moving
before him in trailing clouds of beauty. The woman
who would thus let herself down to be an enlisting
officer for the devil's army of drunkards should be

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
45
tabooed, inexorably shut out from all respectable so-
eiety forever [Prolonged applause]. A series of
interesting sketches followed, showing that the
speaker could drop occasionally from the severe to the
lively and amusing; but through them all ran the one
general moral. There is no safety but in total absti-
nence, and the moderate drinkers set the example
which makes drunkards.
The Doctor gave an exceedingly interesting account
of his childhood; that his father died a miserable
drunkard, and the town where he resided was being
ruined by rum, when the mothers of the place rose in
a body and begged, pleaded, and prayed with the rum-
sellers till the town was cleared of the traffic. He then
addressed himself to the question: "What shall be
done?”
Nothing had ever raised communities to such a
height of moral sublimity as this women's temperance
movement of Ohio. Three hundred times, he said,
have I given temperance lectures in which I urged
this movement, and never found the soil fit for it be.
fore. Now that it has come, I almost fear to touch it,
lest I hinder. When I saw the women at Morrow
praying in front of that saloon, I felt weak—too weak
to add anything to the power at work—and I knew
then why Brother Van Pelt had surrendered. He
must have been half crocodile, half tiger, and all devil
to have withstood it. Now friends, the hour of action
has come. I propose this plan: We want a chairman,
four secretaries, and ten speeches of two or three min-
utes each by clergymen and leading citizens.
On motion of a citizen, Dr. Lewis himself was unani-
mously chosen chairman, and Messrs. Dodds, Stein,
Colonel Findley, of the Xenia Gazette, and Rev. Mr.

46
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY
Marley, named as secretaries. Short and pointed
speeches were then made by Rev. Mr. Bedel, of the
Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Ralston, of the Presbyterian,
Rev. J. G. Carson, of the United Presbyterian, Rev.
Messrs. Morehead and Starr, Mr. Shaeffer, Rev. Mr.
Yockey, and Rev. Marlay. All were enthusiastic in
favor of a forward movement; but two expressed
doubts as to whether it was quite time for favorable
action, and whether the system proposed was the best.
At the call for volunteers a hundred and fifty women
enlisted for the war.
I left Xenia with the impression that it was too
rigidly conservative for the temperance war; a week
after I returned and found the city ablaze with
excitement. At least five hundred ladies were in the
movement, either directly at work or lending assist-
ance to those who were. Every respectable family in
the place was represented. The Scotch Seceders,
who are numerous there, were peculiarly active.
Ladies who had obeyed St. Paul's (supposed) injunc-
tion most religiously, now prayed in the streets with
the fervor of Methodist exhorters. Ministers who had
written elaborately to prove that Christians should
sing only the metrical version of the Psalms (in ac-
cordance with the creed of that church), now sang a
campaign temperance song to the inspiring tune of
“ John Brown's Body.” The wall of separation be-
tween the various churches seemed completely broken
down. Heretofore the attentive observer, hearing a
prayer could distinguish by the tone and style whether
it was by a Seceder, Methodist, or other sectarian.
But now the nicest ear could not distinguish; all
prayed just alike. All seemed as sisters in Christ,
and the sanguine were led to hope that this movement

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
47
would even lead to a complete union between the
sects.
I was witness to one most remarkable scene; prob
ably the most thrilling in the course of this movement.
On Whiteman street, in a space of six hundred yards,
were nine saloons, several of such bad repute that
they were known as “Shades of Death,' “Mule's
Ear," "Certain Death," "Hell's Half-Acre," and
"Devil's Den.” Visiting this locality I found five
bands of ladies at work. Miss Laura Hicks, teacher,
had brought her entire school of young girls to the
work for the afternoon, and they were singing in
front of Glossinger's saloon. On each side extended a
long line of spectators, leaving only a narrow space in
the middle of the street. Led by their teacher, the
children sang:
“Say, Mr. Barkeeper, has father been here ?”
Those familiar with that song will remember that
the child is represented as seeking his father through
all his usual haunts, and finding him in jail for
some offense committed when drunk; that he then
intercedes with the jailer, and finally convinces him
that it was not his father who committed the offense,
but the liquor that drove him wild. There was more
than one among the spectators to whom that poetry
represented literal fact. Again the children sang;
then extracts from Scripture were read, and a lady
with a clear, sweet voice offered a fervent prayer:
“O, Lord, our Helper in time of need, we prostrate ourselves in
the dust before Thee to beg for the lives of our fathers, our broth-
ers, our sons. O God, help us to save dying men. Help us to res-
cue the idols of our love. Dying men are all around us; they
crowd us in the street; we look upon them in our homes; we shed
tears of bitter anguish because we can not save them from this

48
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
traffic of death. O Lord, our God, consider our tears, our breaking
hearts, and send us help to fight this monster of intemperance.
How long, O Lord, how long! Must we suffer on and on while we
have left the power to suffer. O God, consider the tears of the op-
pressed; for on the side of the oppressor is power, which Thou
alone can crush. Give us, oh! give us back our brothers who are
swept away by this torrent of intemperance. Come, dear Lord,
and touch the hearts of the dealers in ardent spirits. Send down
Thy spirit on this poor man who still turns a deaf ear to our
pleading. He will not listen to us. Oh! do Thou soften his
heart, that he may know our agony and cease to put evil in the
path of those we love. Give us access to the heart of this man.
Bless him, O Lord; bless him with the riches of Thy grace.
Send Thy ministering Spirit upon him and his family. We know
not how to plead as we ought. We know not the way to his heart.
Oh! grant that no weak or foolish act of ours may injure the cause
of Christ or throw discredit on any good work. Do thou guide and
control us; make our weakness strength, and teach us how to pray
and labor as we ought. O Lord, our God, wilt Thou not listen to
the prayer of those made desolate by rum. Here bowed before
Thee are widows, orphans, made such by this traffic--this traffic
we must call accursed, for Thou hast cursed it in Thy holy word.
O God, withhold the hand of him who would put the bottle to his
neighbor's mouth. We feel encouraged to labor on against this
traffic which we know Thou hast condemned. Oh, teach us how to
work and give us the victory. Grant that the rule of temperance
and law may be set up, and that righteousness may flow as a river
and the knowledge of God cover the whole earth. Then will our
sons no longer fall before those who lie in wait for their souls; then
will our daughters no longer mourn because of the traffic in rum.
And bring us all, both the dealer in rum and those who fall by the
traffic, to see more clearly the light of Thy truth, and finally unite
us at Thy right hand, we ask for Jesus' sake, Amen."
Again the children sang, and while the crowd of
some hundreds slowly dispersed, different ladies read
extracts from the Scriptures. All this time a plump
and healthy looking German woman sat at an upper
window in the besieged house and looked down with

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
49
indifference upon the ladies. Sometimes she held up
her youngest child for him to take a look at the scene,
and again laughed and nodded to acquaintances over
the way. She was not even sufficiently interested to
get angry.
I had just returned to the hotel after this scene when
I heard a great shout in the street, and soon after all
the church bells in the city commenced ringing. At
the same time there arose a prolonged cheering from
the Grangers' Convention, just across the street from
the hotel, and it was evident that something unusual
had happened. Going out, I saw crowds of people
thronging toward Whiteman street, and heard on every
hand in joyful accent, “The 'Shades of Death' has un-
conditionally surrendered.” The good news proved
true, and I found Whiteman street thronged with peo-
ple. At a little before 3 o'clock, as it appeared from
the general account, Mr. Steve Phillips, proprietor of
the “Shades of Death,” invited the ladies to enter, and
announced that he gave up every thing to them, and
would never sell anything intoxicating in Xenia again.
Then the ladies, joined by the spectators, sang “Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow," while the liquors
were rolled into the street. A half barrel of black-
berry brandy, the same of highwines, a few kegs of
beer, and some bottles of ale and whisky were soon
emptied into the street, amid the shouts of an enthusi-
astic multitude. The leading lady then announced
that if Mr. Phillips went into any other business in
Xenia they should feel it a duty to support him ; a dis-
patch was sent to the Grangers, eliciting three cheers,
and all the bells were set ringing in honor of the first
great victory. When I arrived the liquor had mostly
collected in one depression in the street, and such

50
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
a stench went up, “a rank offense, that smelt to
heaven,” as made me think it a very fortunate thing
for somebody's stomach that the liquor had been poured
out. Of the women around, some were crying, some
laughing, a few alternately singing and returning
thanks. One elderly lady in the edge of the crowd
was almost in hysterics, but still shouting in a hoarse
whisper such as one often hears at camp meeting :
“Bless the Lord! 0-0-0, bless the Lord.” She had
the appearance of a lady in good circumstances, and a
citizen informed me that she is ordinarily one of the
quietest, most placid of women. One of her sons died
of intemperance, and another is much addicted to
liquor. On every side nothing was witnessed but
smiles, laughter, tears, prayers, hand-shakings, and
congratulations.
The “Shades of Death” was considered by the tem-
perance party as the “back-bone of the rebellion,"
and within twenty-four hours four more saloons had
surrendered. The movement continues with unabated
vigor, and only twelve saloons remain. Twenty-nine
have been closed.
From Xenia the apostles of temperance, accom-
panied by the journalists, went to Springfield. On
the evening of February 11th sixteen hundred people
crowded the Opera House to its utmost capacity. On
the stand were “Mother Stewart," Rev. Mr. Bennett
and other ministers of the city, Mr. Clifton Nichols,
editor of the Republic, and the representatives of five
journals. Mr. Nichols, the Chairman, stated that Dr.
Lewis desired them to hear Mr. Van Pelt give an
account of his “closing day” in New Vienna. That
gentleman advanced to the front and plunged at once
in medias res. He gave a lengthy account of his feel

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
51
ings as the ladies came day after day; told what his
legal advisers said to him, but "thanked God that he
took the turn of his own mind, and let them legal
gentlemen take their own course."
"Now the men outside had tried various means to make me
surrender, but it warn't a bit of use. When I told the ladies
I would decide, I saw them coming down the street, funeral
file, that afternoon. I never had anything come over me
like that—coming to pray for I, that had dealt out that that
ruined 'em to their fathers and brothers and sons. I couldn't ask
more to know they was sincere. I turned to Brothers Winter
and Hill and said, 'Will you carry out the whisky?' I never
seed such a look as they give me. I reckon they thought I was
jestin'; but for all that they was mighty willin'. * * * * *
And when the whisky run out there went up such a shout as
I never heern before and never expect to agin. And there were
such faces-more nearer to angel faces than I ever expect to see
till I stand in the presence of God. There was old man Hill, and
old man Johnson, that hadn't shed a tear, I reckon, for ten years,
cried like children; and they hugged me and cried ; and every-
body was happy because the last whisky shop in Vienna had
surrendered. And we all said God was in it, and the movement
never would stop till all the whisky shops was driv' out of the
State."
Everybody laughed encouragingly at the young
convert's idiomatic English; then Dr. Lewis gave a
somewhat startling discourse, on "pure and drugged
liquors." He did not sympathize with the wish for
pure liquors; on the contrary, he considered the poison
compounder the friend of temperance. He did not
know of any drug so deadly that it would not improve
whisky. He would bid the mixers God speed, if it be
lawful to use the name of God in such a connection.
There is no nonsense so pervading and injurious as
this talk about unadulterated liquors. Men say, “O,
if we only had the pure liquors that our grandfathers

52
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
bad, we would live on as they did; it is this poison
stuff that kills us off.” It is all nonsense. The reason
liquor hurts us worse than our grandfathers is the
difference in other physical conditions. They worked
hard in the open air, lived on coarse food, and though
they drank often, did live out three-fourths of their
days. The men who live in the open air now, who
start with a good constitution and unusual physical
advantages, can live as long. Be not deceived. Alco-
hol is poison—it is poison—it is poison! The more
deadly it can be made the better. If a man has be-
come a habitual drinker, the sooner he dies the less
harm he does. Is it not better for him to go in a year
or two, than to go on a curse to himself and the world
for twenty? If the whisky could be so mixed that it
would kill a man in three days, it would be a glorious
thing for temperance.
This radical doctrine somewhat astonished the au-
dience, and was savagely criticized by the press; but
the Doctor stoutly maintains the correctness of his
position. After the Doctor several persons made short
speeches. I only present entire that of “Mother
Stewart,” as she is a sort of pioneer in the cause:
“God seems to be giving us the desire of our hearts, but we
have a very peculiar warfare here. I can not describe it. We
never did anything until we started to work at the saloons. It
seemed to me that we were only beating the air. Four months
have passed since that poor woman came to me for help for her-
self and children against the rumsellers that were killing her
husband. I told her to-day to come here to-night, and see if this
meeting gave her hope; and she is in the audience. At last the
people are interested, some actual drunkards, and young men,
drinkers but not yet drunkards, have taken my hand and said to
me, 'Go on, Mother Stewart; we do hope you will succeed.' Some-
times I have felt so discouraged I almost wished that God would

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
53
lay me on a bed of sickness, for I might be an obstacle in the way
of reform. Still we worked on. I felt when that poor woman
came to me, that our great reliance must be in prayer. The great
question was-could we succeed in that way in this city? At last
we went forth, and then a host of friends seemed to spring out of
the ground. The burden of this thing has been on my mind till
I have felt that I could not live unless we went forward. We
could not trust to other causes. The politicians admit that they
are powerless. They are so entangled that they can not act.
“On Monday two or three went out and prayed. Good women
came and prayed with us, and at last, yesterday, we went to the
saloons, twenty or thirty of us, and to-day more came>yes, sey-
enty or eighty, and you all know the result. Many gentlemen
have said to me, "Those places must be closed,' but I felt almost
in despair when I received a telegram from Dr. Lewis. As our
band increased there was a great crowd of men and boys, but they
were very polite and respectful. They only seemed anxious to
see and hear. To-day we visited the Lagonda House saloon; the
proprietor treated us very kindly, but locked the outside door to
keep the crowd out. He gave us the billiard rooms, and we had
a very precious season there. At the next place I tried to talk a
crowd collected. The man came out and said, 'Get away, get
away, every one of you; I don't want any trespassers; you shan't
stand on my steps.' But I was never more composed. When I
started down from the porch a hundred voices said, 'Stay where
you are.' 'Go on, Mother Stewart, go on. Then a policeman
took the man in, and when we were ready to leave, he came out
in good humor and bid us good day."
A gentleman of rather quiet style afterward said on
this subject :
"If that fellow had touched one hair of Mother Stewart's gray
head, his house would have been leveled to the ground.”
There is nothing more curious in the phenomena of
the movement than the general respect, amounting
almost to love or hero worship, which some of the
worst rummies and saloonists feel for the good ladies

54
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY,
engaged. “Mother" Stewart has warm friends among
the worst people in Springfield.
Short and pithy speeches were made by General
Keifer, Rev. Mr. Bennett, Rev. Mr. Spring, L. H.
Olds, A. R. Ludlow, Rev. Mr. Seaver, and Rev. Mr.
Dutton. A regular organization was then perfected.
The work still goes on in Springfield, and the ladies
are confident of final success; but there have been few
surrenders, and many hindrances. This was the first
trial in a city of more than eight thousand people;
and it seems to show that the difficulties in every
large city will be very great. In such there are
saloonatics enough to keep each other in countenance;
they have a business association and society of their
own, and by alliances with political parties and social
circles they are imbedded in the very structure of
society, and it is like cutting out a cancer to remove
them—the wound will be deep and the process danger-
ous.
A greater difficulty is a lack of unity in other
parties; there is too much diversity of interests. Men
do not get so close together and know each other so
well as in the country places. If all the temperance
men could be drawn to one side and make a fair
attack on the saloonatics, they would gladly do so;
but each man fears that in striking at them he is
striking at his neighbor and indirectly at himself.
But the greatest difficulty is with the ladies them.
selves, and their natural tendency not to unite. In a
small place all respectable ladies are in one social
order; church and society blend insensibly, and it
is comparatively easy to unite the good women for
any good object. But in a city there are scores of
cliques, circles, and social strata. Eminently respect-

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
55
able people in one circle do not know equally respect-
able people in another; and nearly all women are
afraid of nearly all other women, until they get pretty
well acquainted. All true women shrink from pub-
licity or open manifestations of the emotions; and for
obvious reasons those in a city much more than those
in the country, who are known to all they are likely
to meet. So much for human calculation ; but a cause
may be so important, and acquire such momentum,
that it will sweep in all ladies of all the social strata.
In that case, Springfield, according to her population,
will have a thousand ladies at work instead of a hun-
dred, and her saloons can then be closed just as surely
as the rum-holes of Washington or New Vienna.
From Springfield the temperance missionaries went
down to Lebanon, where a sort of legal fight was in
progress. The temperance men--no women taking
part-had employed a Cincinnati detective who put
in one week in Lebanon, and got evidence enough
to close all the saloons by law but one. It was a bad
time then to inaugurate the Women's Movement,
nevertheless they determined to try it. Eight hun-
dred people filled Washington Hall, among them a
delegation from Shaker Village. Van Pelt dramatized
his conversion and surrender, to the intense delight
of the audience. Lewis incited to immediate action.
Ten minute speeches were made by Rev. Burroughs.
Dr. Byers, Rev. Clark, Rev. Roberts, Rev. Sprole,
Messrs. Fox, Holbrook, Crothers, Kinsey. Wilson,
Judge Keys, Graham, and D. B. Van Pelt, of the
Normal School. The audience voted unanimously, by
a rising vote, to sustain the ladies in any move they
decided upon, with moral support and money; and
the movement was regularly organized. But the love-

56
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
cure after the law-cure did not work well; too much
ill-feeling had been excited, but at the end of three
weeks' work the Secretary of the Temperance League
sends us this report:
"LEBANON, O., February 27, 1874.
"Legal prosecutions began about January 4, and the women's
movement February 14, with one hundred and fifty women now at
work. Two saloons have closed, and one drug store has signed
the pledge. One saloon and two drug stores are still at work.
Though the pledge has just been started, six hundred have signed.”
Thence we crossed to Franklin, on the C. C. C. & I.
Road (" Dayton Short Line"), where the women had
already prayed six saloons out of town, and were at
work on the seventh and last. It is an old-fashioned
"water-rats'” retreat, on the bank of the canal, kept
by a Mr. Monger, who bids fair to become notorious as
the only white man in Ohio who is unmoved by
prayers, tears, or entreaties. He still holds out, and
will, probably, until the law shuts up his saloon, as it
is now likely to do.
Miss Sarah Butler, of Franklin, has achieved almost
a national reputation by her labors in the temperance
cause. Mr. Handy, of the New York Tribune, in our
party, was so struck with the prayer she uttered in
front of Monger's saloon that he telegraphed it entire
to the Tribune. I heard her afterward, at the State
Convention, give a simple account of their labors in
Franklin ; and, when she concluded, in that audience
of twelve hundred people, I think there were not a
score of eyes free from tears. So wonderful is the elo-
quence of pure, unaffected nature, when pleading in a
good cause.
The Doctor and Mr. Van Pelt then visited Marys-
ville and Mt. Vernon, where the work was started and

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
57
is being prosecuted with great vigor. At Delaware,
our party was re-united. The Doctor was invited there
by the Chi Phi, one of those mysterious Greek-letter
fraternities which abound in colleges. Finding that
there was no temperance organization, and that he was
invited merely as a lecturer, Dr. Lewis put it to a vote
whether he should proceed on his regular plan. The
audience voted for temperance. The Doctor wins made
chairman, as usual, and Messrs. M. D. Coville, Cyrus
Pratt, and Dr. Merrick named as an advisory commit-
tee.
Dr. Lewis gave a short address, and the organization
was soon perfected. The large audience filling Wil-
liams' Opera-house was responsive and enthusiastic.
Short speeches were made by Rev. Voght, Mr. Handy,
of the New York Tribune, Rev. Crook, President Rich-
ardson, of the Female College, Mr. McDowell, Professor
LaCroix, Professor Whitlock, Professor Perkins, Pro-
fessor Gardner, Drs. Welch and Barnes. The men
voted unanimously to sustain the women in their work,
and the latter decided, without a dissenting vote, to or-
ganize. In less than twenty-four hours from the time
the movement began, there were a hundred ladies upon
the streets at work.
In the meantime a preliminary mass meeting had
been held at Columbus, and a call issued for the State
Temperance Convention, of which account is given
elsewhere. Our tour with the temperance apostles
closed appropriately with a day of rejoicing, at Wash-
ington C. H., where the movement began. On the 17th
of February, our party of half a dozen journalists and
as-many temperance apostles, reached that place at
noon. Almost the entire population, headed by a band,
escorted the Doctor to Music Hall, where a formal re-

58
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
ception took place. On the platform, besides the Doc-
tor and representatives of the press, were the various
ministers of the place, the officers of the Ladies' League,
and prominent citizens.
Dr. Lewis was called, and came forward amid loud
cheers, when the address of welcome was pronounced
by Mrs. M. G. Carpenter :
“DR. LEWIS—In the name of the women of Washington I wel-
come you. Eight weeks ago, when you first came among us, you
found us a people of willing hearts and generous impulses, fully
alive to the evils of intemperance, but needing the magnetism of a
master mind to rouse us into a determined resistance to its ravages.
Yours was that mind. Your hand pointed out the way. You
vitalized our latent activities. You roused us all, men and women
together, and we have gone forth to the battle side by side, as God
intended we should ; ourselves perfect weakness, but God mighty
in strength. He has given the success-not yet complete, 'tis true,
but our faith is still unshaken. He sent you here; He put the
thought into your head; He prepared our hearts to receive it; He
has directed our steps. And now He has brought you among us
again to gladden you with the fruition of hope long deferred—to
see the seed, sown long ago by your mother, springing up, bud-
ding, and bearing fruit. Dr. Lewis, in behalf of this whole peo-
ple, I again welcome you to the hearts and homes of Washington."
The Doctor replied with great feeling:
“MADAME AND FRIENDS-I can not make a speech on this oc-
casion. I may, perhaps, compare myself to an Indian on a visit to
the city of Washington-from the frontier to the place where the
battle has long been fought and won. I have always been on the
frontier, always engaged in the battle of reform, and now, to find
anything really done, to find a town positively free from the curse
of liquor-selling, it seems that there is nothing for me to do. I
feel as one without his working harness. But I will say this:
None but God can ever know how much I owe to this town, nor
how fortunate it was for me and for many that I came here. I
will not not say that this is the only community in which the work
could be begun. The heroism and self-sacrifice displayed in other

CAMPAIGN OF DIO LEWIS.
places, the moral force developed in Southern Ohio, would make
such a remark invidious. Often have I tried to start this move-
ment. Once in particular, in one of the most moral towns in New
England. Two United States Senators came upon the platform to
give the movement their sanction. We had as fine an audience as
could be assembled, and I said to myself, 'At last we are going to
sucoeed.' But it was a dead failure. I know not why. All the
elements of success seemed to be there; but some invisible force was
lacking. There is an invisible force at work in this movement.
At last I came to you, and you delighted me by your work. You
come out to meet me with music and words of welcome. But I
come to thank you, to take you by the hands, to look into your
eyes, and tell you how much I owe to you for being the first to
cheer me with success. I am indebted to you for bringing out this
plan. I am indebted to you a thousand times more than you are
to me. But the hour of victory leaves me with little to say. I
have never been able to visit the battle-fields after victory-have
always gone on to new fields. I can only close by tendering you
my earnest thanks."
After witnessing for a day the rejoicing of the people
of this redeemed town, the Organizer of the move-
ment went to Springfield, where also he received an
ovation. He also viewed the battle-ground at Hills-
boro, and thence went to Columbus. Immediately
after the close of the State Convention, he went East
to assist in organizing the movement there, and on the
17th of March was to return and work in Ohio “as
long as he can do any good.”

60
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
CHAPTER V.
A STATE ORGANIZATION IN OHIO.
The great mass meeting in the interest of the Wo-
men's Temperance Movement held in the City Hall,
Columbus, on Monday, February 16th, did only one
thing of importance; and that was to call a State Con-
vention to be held in the same place eight days later.
This action of the meeting was announced to the pub-
lic in the following card from Dio Lewis :
“CALL FOR A CONVENTION.
“At an immense meeting in the City Hall, Columbus, Ohio, įt
was voted to call a convention of the friends of the Women's
Temperance Movement,' to meet in that Hall on Tuesday, Feb-
ruary 24, at 2 P. M.
"General consultation, and the establishment of a bureau, are
the objects of the convention. The bureau will supply lecturers
and organizers. In brief, it will supply the conditions of success.
"Every city, town, village, and neighborhood in the State is in-
vited to send delegates. Half of them should be women. If the
towns where the movement is already in progress would send those
who have had most experience in the work, it would prove an im-
portant contribution.
“It is believed that a more important convention has never been
called in the State.
“In the event of the failure of any community to send dele-
gates, any earnest temperance workers from such community will
be welcomed to the conference.
"Persons accustomed to public speaking, who would consent to
serve in organizing the movement in various localities, are invited
to attend the convention. Your obedient servant,
“DIO LEWIS.

A STATE ORGANIZATION IN OHIO.
61
On the appointed day Columbus was enlivened by
the presence of temperance workers, male and female,
from all parts of the State where there was any inter-
est in the movement, and it was evident from the start
that the convention was to be largely attended and re-
sult in great good. Many of the delegates spent the
morning in communion with the ladies of Colum-
bus at a prayer meeting in the Town Street Church.
Here great enthusiasm was manifested. Dio Lewis di-
rected the proceedings with even more than his usual
tact and ability, and excellent speeches were made by
Mrs. Dessellum, of Columbus ; Mrs. Stewart, of Cedar-
ville; Miss Kate Dwyer, of Greenfield; Mrs. Lewis, of -
Columbus; Mrs. W. E. Strong, of New Lexington;
Mrs. M. McC. Brown, of Alliance.; and others.
The session of the State Convention began in the
City Hall at 2 o'clock P. M. The large auditorum was
nearly filled with delegates, of whom a large majority
were ladies. The reporters estimated the entire num-
ber of persons present at twelve hundred. The assem-
blage was called to order by Rev. W. B. Chadwick, of
Columbus, on whose motion Dr. Dio Lewis was called
to the chair. Cliff. M. Nichols, of the Springfield
Republic, and Rev. Mr. Badgely were elected Secre-
taries.
Dr. Lewis invited all ministers and editors on the
platform, and about thirty accepted the invitation.
Mother Stewart, of Springfield, was then escorted to
the stand and offered a fervent prayer for the blessing
of God upon the deliberations of the convention, and
upon every effort in the cause of temperance. The
assembly then arose and sung “ All hail the power of
Jesus' name," with fine effect.
Dr. Lewis invited the delegations, from all places

62
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
where the women's war had been carried on, to send
their most active workers upon the platform, and some
fifty ladies came forward.
On motion, a Committee on Permanent Organization
was named, consisting of five ladies and three gentle-
men: Mrs. Eliza Thomson, Chairman; Mrs. Mary
Brown, Mrs. Conway, of Cedarville; Mrs. B. T. Custer,
of London; Mrs. McCabe, of Delaware; and Messrs.
Stewart, Gardner, and Keen.
The following were named a Committee on Resolu-
tions: Mother Stewart, Chairman; Mrs. Lizzie T. Mc-
Fadden, of Cadiz; Mrs. M. W. Barnes, of Springfield;
Mrs. Lowe, of Xenia ; Mrs. Dr. Sharpe, of London;
Mrs. Sarah Pollard, of Columbus; and Messrs. C. M.
. Nichols, H. S. Fullerton, and J. M. Richmond.
The Committee retired, and the Chairman called for
« volunteer speakers-old workers in the cause.” The
first call was for Mr. Van Pelt, who came on the stand
and spoke very briefly. One delegation sent forward
Mrs. Timmons, of Clarksburg, Ohio, who gave account
of the work there.
After singing, Mrs. Laura C. Findlay, of Xenia, ad-
dressed the convention, making a report of the work
in that city, from its beginning. Her speech was fol.
lowed by the singing of “Glory, glory, hallelujah!"
The Chairman read a dispatch from Lancaster,
stating that the women, one thousand strong, were at
work; that prayer was their watch word, and they pro-
posed to "fight it out on that line." [Applause.] Dr.
Lewis said this was good news, and proposed three
hearty cheers, which were given.
Mr. T. W. Tallmadge read a letter from Mrs. William
I. Reese (sister of General Sherman), expressing regret
that circumstances prevented her from accepting an

A STATE ORGANIZATION IN OHIO.
63
invitation to be present at the convention, and ex-
pressing warm sympathy with the movement.
The Committees being still in retirement, Dr. Lewis
called for speeches from the ladies. The speeches
were so full of the spirit of the movement, and con-
tained so many facts of interest, that we can not re-
frain from putting their substance on permanent record.
Miss Sewell had been engaged in this cause for years
past. What she had seen lately repaid her for all her
labor. She was truly glad her eyes had ever beheld
this movement. God surely is in the work. It is a
religious movement. Long have governments tried by
legislation to subdue the rum-seller. Her theory for
years had been that through prayer success would
come. Her sisters might feel disposed to speak of their
weakness, but by trusting in Jesus they would receive
strength to subdue the hearts of the most wicked men
engaged in this work of death. These men know and
feel that it is the sin of sins in which they are engaged,
and it only wants the attention and faith and prayers
of pious mothers and sisters, offered up at a throne of
Heavenly Grace, to subdue their hearts. Some people
called this Dio Lewis' movement. It is not his. It is
God's work. God is in it, and it will go forward.
Miss Kate Dwyer, of Greenfield, said the Lord had
done great things for us, whereof we are glad. We
commenced the work somewhat differently in our place
from that pursued in other towns. We sent a note to
every liquor-seller in the place—of which there were
fifteen-requesting them to meet us the next morning,
the druggists at one church, and the saloon-keepers at
another. One druggist met the ladies and signed the
pledge. That was the only one that met us.
But there was one saloon-keeper who sent us word

64
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
that he would have been with us, but was detained at
home by sickness in his family. He sent us word,
however, to bring the pledge to him, and he would sign
it. We went to him with the pledge. He signed it,
and with tears in his eyes begged us to pray for him.
He said we knew he had a praying mother.
The latter part of the same week we visited one of
the hotels where there was a saloon, and asked the
keeper to sign the pledge. His child came into the
room where we were and putting her arms around her
father's neck, said, “Oh pa, please sign the pledge."
He pushed her from him, saying, “Go away my
child, you do not understand it; I will tell you about
it after while." Said she, “Oh, pa, do sign it?” That
night he had a dance, participated in by the very low-
est persons in the village. He had other liquor sell-
ers to come and play on instruments of music, and the
playing and dancing were kept up the whole night.
We could hear them quite plainly from our house.
Some of our friends seemed much discouraged in re-
gard to his case. That man at one time had been a
follower of our dear Savior, but he seemed now so far
gone that there was little hope for him. The next day
we met at the church for prayer before starting out on
our mission, and afterward, when returning from one
of the saloons, a gentleman met us and said this man,
to whom I have just referred, desired us to call there
and receive his signature to the pledge. When we en-
tered the place he met us with tears in his eyes, and
said: “God bless you, ladies, that you ever came here.
I thank you for it." He took us in the room, and said:
“Here on this counter where I have sold liquor I will
now sign the pledge.” He signed it, and said: “Here,
ladies, I will take down these bottles, and right where

A STATE ORGANIZATION IN OHIO.
65
I have filled them I will place the family bible, and
every morning I will invoke God's blessing upon us."
Friends, you ought to see that man since that. He
does not look like the same man. Before that when he
met us he would hold down his head. Now he meets
us with a smile, and always seems glad to meet us.
Miss Dwyer also referred to a woman who kept a
saloon in the village, who, through their influence, quit
the business, was converted and joined the church, and
related other successes that had attended their labors.
Miss Butler, of Franklin, said the friends of temper-
ance have met in our place every week for three years,
and asked God to bless the temperance cause. When
we heard of the work our sisters were doing at Hills-
boro we felt that we must take hold of this work as
they were doing. For five weeks we have labored in
this way, and intend to continue until every saloon in
the place is closed.
“God has led us on in this work. I thank Him that
I live in this day, and that I have been permitted to
engage in this great work, because it has done me so
much good. These five weeks have been the happiest
weeks of my life.”
She gave an account of an instance where a saloon-
keeper had employed some men to furnish the music
for a dance he intended to have. When these musi-
cians appeared the ladies were engaged in singing and
praying in front of the saloon. These men were so af-
fected by the scene that they told the saloonist they
did not think that playing and dancing and singing
and praying were intended to go together, and they
went away and had no dance.
Said she, “God is in this movement, and has drawn
together the hearts of Christian women as never be-

66
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
fore. The time was when our Presbyterian friends
thought women should not pray in public, and it was
very easy to tell the difference between the prayers of
Presbyterians and Baptists and Methodists. But now
they all pray alike.” [Laughter and applause.
They had succeeded in closing all the saloons in their
village but one, and felt that the keeper of that could
not much longer resist their pleadings. They were de-
termined never to give up till the work was accom-
plished.
After the speeches the Committee on Nominations
made their report, and the following officers were
elected :
PRESIDENT-Mrs. H. C. McCabe, of Delaware.
VICE-PRESIDENTS-Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson, Hillsboro; Mrs.
Rosa Stewart, Cedarville; Mrs. M. G. Carpenter, Washington
C. H.; Mrs. Amanda Clark, Newark; Miss Kate Dwyer, Green-
field; Mrs. Rev. Wyant, Mt. Vernon; Mrs. Rev. Dr. Hatfield,
Cincinnati ; Mrs. John Walker, Logan ; Mother Stewart, Spring-
field; Mrs. Rev. Runyan; Mrs. Z. T. Walker, Marietta; Mrs.
General Ewing, Lancaster; Mrs. Granville Moody, Ripley; Miss
Kate Shallcross, Gallipolis; Miss Virginia Copeland, Zanesville ;
Mrs. Shurr, Bellefontaine; Mrs. L. C. Allen, Tiffin; Mrs. E. C.
McVilly; Mrs. Judge Mayo, McArthur; Miss Rebecca Rice (Pro-
fessor in Antioch College), Yellow Springs; Mrs. Joseph Cloakey,
Middletown; Miss Henrietta Moore, Marion ; Mrs. Rev. William
Jones, Findlay; Mrs. David Spangler; Mrs. Brown, Athens; Mrs.
Hortensia Beeman, New Lexington; Miss Maggie Beattie, Ash-
land ; Mrs. A. W. Swapel, Dayton; Mrs. William Herr.
SECRETARY-Miss Kate Gardner, of Columbus.
TREASURER-Mrs. Mary Brum, of Columbus.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE-Mrs. Maria Bates, Mrs. R. A. S. Jan-
ney, Mrs. A. E. Tremaine, Mrs. L. Dessellum, and Mrs. Joan
Galloway, all of Columbus.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE-Mr. A. A. Stewart, Hon. Chauncey N
Olds, and Hon. E. E. White, all of Columbus.
It was resolved, on motion of Rev. W. B. Chadwick,

A STATE ORGANIZATION IN OHIO.
67
that the Association should be known as the “Wom-
en's Temperance Association of Ohio;" and on the
recommendation of the Committee on Resolutions the
following declaration of principles was adopted unan-
imously by a rising vote:
Resolved, That the success of the Ohio women's movement in
behalf of temperance reform has given us substantial assurance
that the traffic in and use of intoxicating drinks can and will be
removed from the State and Nation.
Resolved, That in the prosecution of this work we rely on
Divine assistance, secured through fervent, persistent, and impor-
tunate prayers to Almighty God, offered in faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and with hearts filled with love for souls.
Resolved, That ſaithful and persistent prayer must, as an inevit-
able result, be accompanied by efficient personal and organized
work.
Resolved, That in addition to contributions of money, generously
and freely given, it is recommended that the men aiding the
women's effort to suppress intemperance in our communities, and
to the women who carry on the work, to avoid all envy, hatred.
malice, and all uncharitableness, all bitterness of speech and
denunciation of the men engaged in the liquor traffic, to cultivate
their acquaintance and kindly feeling, and by all honorable and
practicable means to assist them in changing from a business
injurious to society, to some other, remunerative to themselves,
and beneficial to the community.
At the night session of the convention Senator
Goodhue presided, by request of Dr. Lewis, and the
opening prayer was offered by Rev. M. S. Carpenter,
of Washington C. H. Van Pelt made another speech,
and interesting remarks were also made by Miss
Moore, of Morrow, Mrs. Eliza Thompson, of Hillsboro,
Miss Stone, of Marietta, Rev. M. W. Hamma, of
Springfield, and Rev. W. M. Grimes, of Cadiz.
Dr. Lewis took this occasion to make a personal ex-
planation at the request of friends. It had been

68
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
reported that he was traveling about praying at fifty
dollars a night. He had been at the West about two
weeks, laboring as he had never before labored in his
life, having managed nineteen meetings, to say nothing
of the work of the present meeting. During that time
he had received $315. After paying his expenses-in-
cluding the expenses of telegraphing, sometimes
amounting to ten dollars a day-he would have left
less than half of what he had been in the habit of re-
ceiving for a single lyceum lecture. [Applause.] Dr.
Lewis then made some interesting suggestions as to
how active operations should be begun and carried on
in cities as well as towns. He also replied to numer-
ous questions from the audience.
All accounts agree that this convention was a most
harmonious body, and that its sessions were both in-
teresting and beneficial. The Executive Committee
now constitute a bureau which may be of great use in
giving sugestions as to the conduct of the movement in
collecting reports of progress, and in supplying speak-
ers and organizers. The address of this bureau is thus
given : "The Bureau of the Women's Temperance
Movement, Columbus, Ohio.

LEGAL OBSTACLES.
69
CHAPTER VI.
LEGAL OBSTACLES—THE DECISION OF JUDGE SMITH.
Ar the date of this writing no serious legal obstacles
have been met by the women of Ohio, except at Hills-
boro and at Morrow. The history of the Hillsboro
case has been given as fully as necessary in another
chapter. The decision of Judge Steele is not pub-
lished because it bears only upon technical points, and
does not affect the main questions at issue between the
women and the liquor dealers. The case was ably
argued, however, and but for the length of the speeches
we would gladly publish what was said on either side.
The Morrow case is more interesting, because the
decision seems to establish definitely the right of the
people to suppress a public nuisance in the mode
adopted by the women of Morrow and other towns in
dealing with saloon-keepers. The following is a state-
ment of the case with a full report of the able decision
rendered by Judge Smith:
On the 17th of February, one Henry Scheide, a
saloon-keeper of Morrow, in a hearing before Judge
Gilmore, of Eaton, obtained a temporary injunction
against the following named persons :
Mrs. E. R. Grim,
Mrs. H. J. Coffeen,
Frank Forshnell,
Josiah Fairchild,
Geo. W. Davis,
Porter Corson,
John Hanford,
Jas. H. Jeffery,
Oscar T. Hanford,
W. P. Hanford,
B. F. Wilson,
J. T. Welch,

70
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
Mrs. J. E. Roof,
John P. Kibbey,
Richard Green,
Geo. Hurner,
Jos. H. Ludlow,
Thos. Smith,
Christ. Scherrer,
Jas. Goodpaster,
Wm. A. Staley,
A. Green,
Henry Hayner,
Jas. Wilkerson,
Jackson Abery,
W. Vandervort,
Jos. Vandervort,
L. Goepper,
J. Cummins,
T. J. Baker,
H. Clevenger,
E. Cadwallader,
G. S. J. Brown,
John T. Roach,
Jonah Stubbs,
Runyon,
Gustin,
Misses Lissie Digan,
N. Thompson,
Carrie Wager,
Susie Watkins,
Lois Clevenger,
A. Good paster,
Lizzie Green,
Ettie Fairchild,
Clara Goepper,
Nettie Snider,
Anna Mounts,
Louisa Beeler,
J. Thompson,
Luella Roach,
Hattie Fairchild,
Mrs. B. T. Ready,
Wm. P. Mounts,
F. Cunningham,
John Simonton,
John Roosa,
Jas. L. Tuck,
Thos. Miranda,
Wm. Gilhan,
Jacob Snyder,
Perry Carson,
S. H. Brant,
Jas. Dynes.
Geo. Brant,
W.T. Mounts,
John Dunn,
A. W. Cadwallader,
Joseph Baker,
Hiram Cadwallader,
W. G. Hopkins,
J. Robinson,
P. Coudon,
G. W. Starkey,
Hadley,
Melvina Davis,
Elmira Howard,
Misses Adie Starkey,
Clara Bailey,
Lilie Clevenger,
M. Clevenger,
Nancie Guthrie,
Belle Mounts,
Cynthia Lloyd,
Mary Goepper,
Elida Ebery,
H. G. Moore,
Olive Coffeen,
Lena Thompson,
Minnie Quick,
Nettie Roosa,
Anna Fairchild,

LEGAL OBSTACLES.
Misses Ida Getz,
Eliza Grim,
Emma Snider,
Nancy Gleehan,
Martha Dynes,
Mara Fairchild,
Misses Mary Snider,
Anna Grim,
L. Clevenger,
Clara Dynes,
Ida Dugan,
Mattie Koogle.
AND THE FOLLOWING GENTLEMEN:
George S. J. Browne,
Wm. T. Whitacre,
Benjamin F. Wilson,
J. E. Roop,
J. W. Stubbs,
Lewis Fairchild,
Josiah Fairchild,
Thomas Smith,
George Hurner,
Rev. Wm. Young,
J. C. Dynes,
Lee Cummins,
Wm. Zimmer,
Dr. Dio Lewis,
J. C. Van Pelt.
The following is a copy of the petition presented by
Henry Scheide, and the one upon hearing which Judge
Gilmore granted the temporary injunction on the
above-named persons:
“The said Henry Scheide, plaintiff, prays that each and every
one of the said defendants, individually, jointly, and collectively,
be restrained, prohibited, and enjoined from molesting, disturbing,
or hindering the said Henry Scheide in the prosecuting and con-
ducing his said business, upon any pretense or pretext whatever,
and invading or meeting in or about his premises to obstruct his
said business; and also prays judgment against all of said de-
fendants for the sum of one thousand dollars, and prays for all
other proper relief in the premises."
The trial of the women and their aiders and abettors
took place in Lebanon, before Judge Smith. Counsel
for the plaintiff-O'Neil, of Lebanon, and Wallace and
Mayor Scantlin, of Morrow. The defendants' counsel
were Ex-Lieutenant Governor McBurney, General
Durbin Ward, and Messrs. Probasco and Van Harlin-
gin, of Lebanon, and Cunningham, of Morrow. The

72
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
interest of the people of Warren county in the decis-
ion of the case was shown by the unparalleled attend-
ance on the session of the court while it was under
consideration. A correspondent says the whole town
of Morrow came over and emptied itself upon Lebanon.
Forty women included in the list of defendants were
among the crowd. These became the special guests
of the Lebanon ladies, who gave them a public dinner.
These forty marched from the church to the court-
house in solemn procession. The excitement was in-
tense in the town, and the case the only topic of con-
versation. The court-house was built with the inten-
tion of accommodating about one-half the number that
squeezed in on this occasion. The crowd occupied
first the seats intended for the public, then they en-
croached upon the space reserved for the lawyers, and
finally they inserted themselves behind the bar, and
sat along side of Judge James M. Smith, who presided
in this case as chancellor.
The argument of counsel on either side was able.
After patiently hearing all that was to be said, Judge
Smith took the case under consideration, and on the
7th of March announced his decision as follows:
“On the 17th day of February a temporary injunction was al-
lowed in this case by Judge Gilmore, restraining the defendants
as prayed for in the petition. This court is now asked to dis-
solve that injunction, for the reasons set forth in the motions which
have been filed, and which, briefly stated, are the following:
"1. That Judge Gilmore, when in another county, and while
this court was in session, had no legal authority to grant it.
"2. Because the statements of the petition do not warrant a
court of equity in granting the relief asked for, as it is apparent
therefrom that he has an adequate remedy at law, and that the
grievances complained of, or their continuance, have not and can
not work a great or irreparable injury to the plaintiff.

LEGAL OBSTACLES.
73
"3. Because the allegations of the petition are untrue.
“To support these a very large number of affidavits have been
filed in court here by the defendants, and some (additional to those
on which the temporary injunction was allowed) have been pro-
duced by the plaintiff, to maintain the allegations of his petition.
“I notice as briefly as I can these grounds in the order named :
“1. Had Judge Gilmore, under the circumstances, the legal
right to allow this injunction? I have no doubt whatever as to
this question. Section 239 of the code expressly confers the au-
thority to allow injunctions upon the Supreme Court or any judge
thereof, the Court of Common Pleas or any judge thereof, or in the
absence from the county of said judges, on the Probate Judge of
the county where the action is brought.
"There is no limitation in terms that the Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas shall be judges of the district in a county of which
district the suit is brought, this being settled by the language of
the Constitution.
"Nor is there any provision that a judge shall not exercise this
power when he is out of the county, when the suit is brought while
the court of that county is in session. The only limitation is that
imposed by section 246 of the code, which provides that no in-
junction shall be granted by a judge after a motion therefor has
been overruled on the merits of the application by his court. I
think, then, that the authority conferred upon a judge of the dis-
trict to hear such an application under such circumstances is clear
and in conformity with the settled opinions and practices of our
judges.
“2. Had the plaintiff under the allegations of his petition a right
to the relief sought?
"The substance of the allegations of the petition is, that the plain-
tiff is the lessee of a certain building in the village of Morrow,
and is licensed by the government of the United States to and does
sell malt and spirituous liquors therein, in accordance with the
laws of the State of Ohio, and that he is also licensed to sell
tobacco and cigars, and has been carrying on said business there
for the past two years according to the laws of Ohio, and strictly
in pursuance of said licenses. That his business has been of great
profit to him, and would still be so were he not unlawfully
disturbed and prevented by defendants from carrying it on.

7.1
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
“He says that on the 26th of January, 1874, the defendants did
unlawfully enter in and upon his place of business, and under the
pretense of praying, singing, and other devotional exercises, did
take possession of said premises for two hours of each and every
day, from January 26th until the commencement of the suit, and
did prohibit plaintiff's eustomers, and all other persons who
desired to purchase from him the articles kept for sale, from so
doing, and have thereby done great injury to the plaintiff. That
the defendants unlawfully conspired together to prevent him
from carrying on his lawful business, and publicly declared, in
the hearing of his customers, that they would never cease invad-
ing his premises, blockading his sidewalk, besieging the door of
his said place of business, and preventing his customers and all
others from entering his premises to purchase the articles kept by
him for sale as aforesaid, until his business was wholly destroyed,
and that they would compel him to cease his business of selling
liquors. And that on the 9th day of February, 1874, the defend-
ants invaded his premises, and prohibited him from practicing his
lawful business; and though requested to leave they refused to do so,
and occupied the plaintiff's sidewalk and the steps to his door,
and prevented all persons from entering his premises and pur-
chasing his articles kept for sale, and declared that they would con-
tinue to do so, and heaped epithets upon the plaintiff in the pres-
ence of his fellow citizens to disgrace him. Wherefore he prays
for an injunction and for damages, which he says he has suffered
to the amount of $1,000.
"It is necessary, to a proper decision of the question as to whether
the plaintiff has made a case on his petition, to ascertain what the
duty of a court of equity is on application to restrain a private
nuisance, which, I suppose, is the purpose of this proceeding.
What is the law on this subject ? Our statutory provisions as to
the cases where an injunction should be granted are held to be
merely an affirmance of the common law on this point, and the
authorities cited from the text books by counsel on each side are
valuable as stating under what circumstances this extraordinary
remedy should be afforded.
“The law seems to be pretty well settled that equity will inter-
pose to prevent or abate a private nuisance in some cases. That
when then it is continuing, permanent, or recurring, an injunction

LEGAL OBSTACLES.
75
will be granted, unless the injury is such as may be well and ade-
quately compensated in damages; and the loss of health and
sleep, the enjoyment of quiet and repose, and the comforts of
home, are described as among those which can not be restored or
compensated in money; and, using the language of another writer,
where the loss of health or trade, or the destruction of the means
of subsistence are affected, an injunction is a proper and appropri-
ate remedy.' And our own Supreme Court, while affirming the
doctrine that a court of-equity will not, as a general rule, interfere
to abate a private nuisance, until the person seeking its aid has
established his rights at law, recognize the doctrine that when a
nuisance is of such a character as to occasion a personal incon-
venience or annoyance, the rule would be different. I am led to
the conclusion, then, that a case might be presented to a court of
equity, where it would be the duty of a chancellor, on the filing of
a petition sustained by proper evidence, to grant an injunction to
prevent the exercise of the most solemn acts of worship even,
performed with the purest motives, if done under such circum-
stances, or at such time and place, as to infringe upon the legal
rights of others, if they really operated to their substantial injury
by the personal annoyance produced and resulting in the loss of
trade, and were of a continuing or recurring character. And to
apply it to a case like the one at the bar, that if a large number of
persons were daily to gather about the place of business of another,
who was engaged in a legitimate and proper business (that is, one
recognized and allowed by the laws of the State in which we live
---for the laws of the land are what courts and citizens alike should
respect and maintain), and by singing and prayers, or other means
however praiseworthy and commendable under proper circum-
stances, done against the remonstrance of the person, should so an-
noy and trouble him as to destroy his peace and comfort, and have the
effect to greatly injure or disturb his business, and thus deprive him
of the means of subsistence, and it was not merely temporary in
its character, but continuing and recurring, I think that not only
would they be liable to an action for the recovery of damages
done (as I understand to have been admitted by the counsel for
the defendants), but that a court of equity would interfere to pre-
vent such infringement upon the rights of others, for these are in-
juries which can not be adequately compensated by damages, and

76
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
a plaintiff would not in such a case be driven first to establish his
rights at law.
“The question then is, does the plaintiff bring himself within
these principles? I do not think he does. In the first place,
there is no allegation in his petition-on which alone he can
stand--that, except in a single instance, did he ever request this
invasion (as he calls it) to cease, or the persons engaged in it to
leave his premises. For all that appears from the petition, all
the other raids may have been with his full consent; and, indeed,
the proof shows such to have been the fact up to the 9th of Feb-
ruary, 1874, when for the first and only time, so far as the proof
shows, he requested the ladies to desist.
“Nor does his petition allege, either in terms or by implication,
that he personally suffered any annoyance, or that irreparable
injury to his trade or business had or would accrue. There is no
statement that in the aggregate his business has decreased at all,
and for all that appears it might have during the period of the
holding of the meetings complained of, been better than ever
before; and, indeed, there is some evidence of admissions by the
plaintiff that such was the fact.
But there is another ground, which, in my judgment, effectually
disposes of this motion. That is the third, viz.: That the allega-
tions of the petition are not true. He alleges that he kept a house
where he conducted business according to law. From the nature
of the case, the character of this business in this respect is directly
in issue, and from the proof it is perfectly clear to my mind that
instead of this it was a place where intoxicating liquors were
habitually sold, in violation of the laws of the State, and where
gambling was constantly being carried on.
“Such a place as this our statute expressly declares to be a
public nuisance, and which being shown in a proper case would
have to be ordered by the court to be shut up. Now the doctrine
is perfectly well settled that a nuisance, either public or private,
may be abated even by force, so no breach of the peace is com-
mitted. Surely, then, the means used here, with the view of
abating this nuisance, were not unlawful or in derogation of the
rights of the plaintiff, for as the keeper of such an establishment,
the maintainer of a public nuisance, and a gambling house, he can
have no standing in a court of equity, when he asks to be pro-

LEGAL OBSTACLES.
77
tected in his unlawful and criminal business. The injunction
will be dissolved at plaintiff's costs."
The people of Morrow were in ecstasy over this
legal victory of the women. Scheide, expecting it, had
left town. A correspondent, writing of the jubilee on
the day the decision was rendered, thus describes the
scene:
“As I write the band is playing and marching through our
streets, followed by an immense throng of men, women, and child-
ren, shouting and rejoicing. Every church bell, school bell, etc.,
in town is ringing, and two or three locomotives are creating a
terrible noise, whistling and ringing their bells. In fact, the en-
tire town is wild with excitement. Hundreds of country people,
hearing the noise of the bells and general tumult, are flocking to
town from all quarters, many thinking the village was in flames.
An immense meeting is now in progress at the Presbyterian
church, in addition to the immense throng upon our streets.
Speeches are being made, and cheer upon cheer is rending the
air. Morrow never had such an awakening, everybody being
happy, except the lawyers who defended Scheide, and four or five
saloon patrons.”

78
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
CHAPTER VII.
HOW TO ORGANIZE—THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS.
THE most active and enthusiastic friends of this
great movement are always found to be those who are
firmest in the belief that it is of Divine origin, and
that no permanent good can be accomplished without
implicit reliance upon the Holy Spirit for direction in
every stage of the proceedings. The prayerful spirit
evinced by the women, and indeed by the whole re-
ligious community, wherever the movement has been
most successful, can not but challenge the attention of
the most skeptical as an evidence that this great refor-
mation is of God and not of man. But God works by
the hearts and hands of His servants, and in appointed
ways; and it is not difficult for attentive observers of
the phenomena of this, as of other great religious re-
vivals, to discern what instruments and modes of pro-
cedure He chooses to bless with the most abundant
success.
Great care should be exercised by those who inau-
gurate the movement in a new field, lest its early
stages are characterized by some thoughtless act which
may bring it before the public in a ridiculous light.
6 Order is Heaven's first law," and the Divine injunc-
tion that all things should be “done decently and in or-
der" is never more applicable than in a movement of this
kind. The handful of earnest, but indiscreet women
who, excited by the stories of conquest in the West,

HOW TO ORGANIZE.
79
started out in the streets of Philadelphia without pre-
paratory meetings or proper organization, only to be
hooted at by rowdies, insulted by saloon-keepers, and
derided by the skeptical press, have only themselves
to thank that their zeal and self-sacrifice was produc-
tive of no good result. That the Ohio movement has
not yet been successful in the East is not because it is
not as well adapted to Eastern as to Western civiliza-
tion, as many are disposed to think, but simply to the
fact that it has never been fairly tried.
The suggestions which follow are from the pen of
Dr. Dio Lewis, whose ideas are entitled to weight, not
only because of his connection with the movement
when it was yet in its incipient form, but because of
his remarkable success as an organizer. They are the
result of careful study and reflection after his return
from his second visit to Ohio (in February), where he
observed the movement from various standpoints.
They were prepared especially for this work:
HINTS AS TO PLAN OF ORGANIZATION-BY DIO LEWIS.
“1. Assuming that the women are deeply interested, and have
met in earnest union prayer meetings, I think the following steps
constitute the best course :
“A general meeting of citizens is called. The largest place in
town is crowded. A chairman and secretary are chosen, a prayer,
and a song by all, and now the clergymen and other prominent
citizens are called upon to make two-minute speeches.
"A committee of five-three women and two men--is next
chosen to come forward, and, sitting where they can look into the
faces of the audience, select an executive committee, exclusively
of women, one from each church, and from the large churches two
or three. The Catholic Church should be well represented, and
outside of the churches there may be good active women who
should have a place on the committee.
“2. A committee of men, consisting of one from each church,

80
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
and two or three from the largest churches, and two or three well-
known citizens outside the churches, and one man to represent
the Sons of Temperance, one the Good Templars, and one from
each of the other organizations, as the Masons and Odd Fellows,
one to represent the insurance companies, one the lawyers, one the
doctors, and one the merchants. These gentlemen constitute the
Advisory Business Committee.
"3. After additional speeches, songs, and prayers the meeting
adjourns to meet at ten o'clock the next morning to complete the
organization.
“4. At the morning meeting the various members of the two
committees chosen the evening before will give the names of the
most earnest women in the several organizations they were chosen to
represent, which names have been prepared by special suggestion
at the previous meeting. The number of new names thus pre-
sented to the morning meeting, including the Executive Commit-
tee, should be equal to one hundred women for every twenty-five
dram-shops in the town. These women constitute the committees
to visit saloons.
“5. At this morning meeting a committee of five or ten women
is appointed to visit all places of business in town and request the
proprietors to close from ten to eleven every morning, to give all
who are thus disposed to assemble in the churches to hold what is
called the business men's prayer meetings. As each business
house will secure its own proper share of the business, no objection
is generally made to the closing. The dram-shops are now the
only places open. With all the others shut, the bells tolling the
whole hour, and many men assembled in the churches for prayer,
while the women are marching on the saloons, constitutes alto-
gether a good and wise management.
"6. It is well for the Saloon Committees to count about fifty
each, a certain portion of the town being set off to each com-
mittee.
“7. A visiting committee halts at a saloon, and the leader asks
permission to enter. If this is granted, when they are all inside,
an appeal from the women to the dealer in intoxicating drinks
is read, followed by singing and prayer. It is wise to begin
or end the prayer with the Lord's Prayer in which all can
join.
"The women generally remain from ten to thirty minutes. If

HOW TO ORGANIZE.
81
they are not admitted, these exercises are held on the sidewalk
or in the street."
There is little to add to these suggestions except that
the women alone should do all the street work, but that
the men, and especially the business men of the com-
munity, should neglect no opportunity to manifest by
peaceful methods their sympathy with the women and
their intention to stand by them through good and
through evil report. The ministers should be out-
spoken in their sympathy on proper occasions, and let
it be understood that as this is a religious work it has
their best wishes. Nothing strengthens the women or
alarms the saloon-keepers more than the knowledge
that public sentiment—the sentiment of the good peo-
ple of all denominations and parties—is in favor of this
mode of closing dram-shops.
“Peace, prayer, and persuasion," is a brief allitera-
tive statement of the only means to be employed in
this movement; but a fuller and more satisfactory ex-
pression of the creed of the crusaders is to be found in
the admirable resolutions adopted by the Ohio State
Convention, or the Women's Temperance Association,
and published in another chapter of this book. If the
principles there laid down are consistently and persist-
ently adhered to success seems almost unavoidable.

82
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
Long before the State Convention of the Women's
Temperance Association the movement had proved
such a decided success in Ohio that friends of the
cause in other States organized in a similar manner
and entered upon the work. Shelbyville, Indiana,
was moved upon as early as January 20th; but the
ladies have met with only limited success. At Jef-
fersonville, in that State, some very disgraceful acts
have been perpetrated on the part of the saloonatics,
which led us to conclude that the State's Prison is
very appropriately located there. At Richmond the
movement has begun with better auspices and prom-
ise of complete success. At Indianapolis the ladies
have so far devoted most of their energies to de-
feating applications for license and stirring up the
men to execute the Baxter law against liquor-sell-
ing, in both of which they have been very success-
ful. The movement is also in progress at Hartford
City, Blufftown, Muncie, North Vernon, Winchester,
and other points in Indiana; and in spite of repeated
discouragements great good has been accomplished.
In Chicago the movement was started in a rather ir.
regular manner, and abandoned without anything
being accomplished. In San Francisco, California, the
ladies are perfecting their organization, but have not
taken the field yet. In Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska,
the work has been entered upon with vigor, but reports
of success are as yet rather meager. The movement
nowhere seems to meet with that complete success

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
83
achieved in Ohio and Eastern Indiana. In New York
City, and Philadelphia, the Temperance Alliance is
organizing carefully, intending to exhaust all other
means before entering upon a system of visitation and
prayer. In some of the larger cities the attempt to
suppress the saloons on the Ohio plan of operations
against them, has been abandoned ; and it will be even
a larger undertaking in Cincinnati where there is an
immense German population, and very few among them
who regard the manufacture and consumption of malt
liquors and wines as either sinful, immoral, or harmful.
Educated from their youth up to drink beer and wine
with as much freedom as water, and very rarely in-
dulging in either to excess, they regard any attempt to
deprive them of these beverages as an encroachment
upon private rights which they will resist to the bitter
end.. The opposition encountered by the praying
women in the German quarter of Columbus is but a
feeble foreshadowing of what will happen when the
organizing bands take up their line of march across
the Rhine.
In Massachusetts the movement can not yet be said
to be well organized. Dr. Lewis insists that the
system is just as practicable there as here; but there
seems to be an invincible repugnance in the New
England (especially the Bostonian) mind to adopting
anything which had its origin in the West or South.
The following from the Springfield (Mass.) Republican
will give a clear idea of the New England ideas upon
the subject, the peculiar difficulties in their way, and
the plan upon which they have decided :
"THE WORCESTER WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
“Decidedly the most interesting, not to say important, event of
the week to the Massachusetts people has been the problem the

84
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
women of Worcester have been working out, scarcely less for their
sex throughout New England than for themselves. Ever since the
interest excited by the novel campaign of the Ohio women
against intemperance was increased by the announcement that
Dio Lewis proposed to try the same tactics in the central city of
Massachusetts, curiosity and speculation have been growing as to
the probable result. People who appreciated the radical differ--
ence between the conditions under which the Western movement
had its birth, and those of a New England community, felt pretty
sure that it could not survive the transplantment. At the same
time, there had been such peculiar, even wonderful, features
connected with the Ohio campaign, that it seemed possible it
might prove one of those phenomena which occasionally set at
defiance all social and natural laws, and that the conservative
East might be destined to repeat the experience of the unconven-
tional West.
“Such was the state of the public mind when Lewis appeared on
the stage Monday evening. Before he had closed his speech it
was plain enough that he had in his audience several hundred
women who were ready for vigorous work-something that prom-
ised to be more telling than going to temperance conventions and
sitting by while the men declaimed the conventional speeches
against the demon of intemperance,' and resolved that something
ought to be done to arrest his progress. Not a few seemed so
much impressed by the earnestness and enthusiasm of the apostle
of the Ohio movement as to be almost ready for his plan of start-
ing out for the saloons before sunset the next day. The large
majority, however, had a more correct appreciation of the diffi-
culties which they must encounter than their decidedly illogical
orator, and the extent of these difficulties grew upon them the
more they talked the matter over among themselves. Lewis
wanted them to pray in the saloons till the keepers would close up.
but-as is the case in most Massachusetts towns under the con,
stabulary regime-only a few of the half-thousand drinking places
in the city are saloons, or even, publicly, places for selling liquor,
a great many of them being known to few but the police, and known
to them not by any sign of bars, but by the drunkards who issue
from them. To attempt the ferreting out of all these places was
seen to be plainly a hopeless task, and to stop in such a work

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
85
before success was reached would be immeasurably worse than if
nothing had been attempted. So the Worcester women soon
decided not to essay such a Quixotical proceeding.
"Having decided what not to do, the even more important ques-
tion remained-what system they should adopt, for they were
plainly in earnest to do something. Even Lewis himself, though
he saw them rejecting his counsels, was deeply impressed with
their earnestness, and we hear of his saying that nowhere in Ohio
has he seen anything that equaled it. Nothing was more strongly
marked than the determination to turn this earnestness into some
practical channel. The plan they have settled upon is already fa-
miliar to our readers-one of private, personal appeal, not only to
the liquor-seller, but to his, in so many instances, equally guilty
partner-the property holder, who rents him his shop. Instead of
marching through the streets and attempting to pray down the ob-
noxious liquor-seller, till he should yield an unwilling, and proba-
bly only temporary, surrender to escape their presence, the Wor-
cester women propose to labor with him quietly, two or three at a
time, and try by private entreaty and prayer to persuade him to
give up the business. At the same time, and in the same way, the
the owner of the shop is to be urged to sign a pledge not to let
any of his property for liquor-selling. Hotel keepers and drug-
gists are also to be visited in a similar way, and the proceedings
being in the most marked contrast with the Ohio way of doing
things.
“This may be fairly considered as the settlement of the ques-
tion for New England, quite as much as for Worcester. We
scarcely need to say that we consider such an adaptation of the
Western system immeasurably wiser than an attempt to transfer
it bodily into a climate so uncongenial. Both are equally signs of
a deep and genuine temperance revival, which seems destined to
affect, in greater or less degree, the whole country. Both are
manifestations of a reviving belief in the quite generally discarded
moral suasion' movement against intemperance, and as such the
most encouraging signs the reform has seen since the Washing-
tonian movement of a generation ago.”
Meanwhile the movement continues to spread, and
with astonishing success, in Central and Southern Ohio.

86
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
Every day brings account of beginnings at places
hitherto thought hopeless; and every night we are
surprised and gladdened by telegrams from two or
three towns that “all the bells are ringing-bonfires in
the streets-bands playing — everybody happy—the
last saloon has surrendered.” Every day the enemies
of the movement make fresh prophecies, and each suc-
ceeding day sees them falsified.
About ninety towns and cities are now either in the
thick of the contest, entering upon it, or resting after
victory. At London, Madison county, six saloons and
three drug stores have been closed, and twelve hundred
people have signed the pledge. I visited London soon
after the inception of the movement, and Mrs. B. F.
Custer, Secretary of the Association, gave me an
account which is considered a fair representation of
the feeling: “We want you to particularly understand
that this is not a mere temporary excitement, the re-
sult of womanly impulse. We do not expect to stop
the traffic immediately, but have set in for months, it
may be years, of hard work. We have labored harder
to keep down excitement than to create it. I, for one,
will not be identified with any mere wave of enthu-
siasm. It is folly for us to expect that when we have
wickedly and willfully allowed a vast evil to grow up
among us, God will suddenly relieve us of it and
abolish it. He will not take away our free agency in
any such way. I am pained to hear some ladies say
they have staked their Christian faith on the success
of this movement. Such a prayer-test as that would
be nothing less than mockery. We intend to work
on, pray on, sing on, and talk on till we get the public
opinion up to the point of sustaining the law, and
then there will still be plenty to do.”

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
87
Among the other prominent workers are Mrs. Dr.
Sharp, Mrs. T. Custer, President; Mrs. Duncan and
Mrs. Toland Vice-Presidents, and Miss Laura Kinney,
Reader. They have selections of Scripture read, with
the prayers and singing. Rev. C. W. Finley, Presby-
terian, Rev. T. H. Munroe, Methodist, and Mr. Glover,
Universalist, are the only Protestant ministers en-
gaged. The Catholics have taken a very active part,
however, and the movement has the sanction of the
priest.
At Athens the work was prosecuted with unusual
vigor, and in one month eight saloons and three drug
stores were closed. (Perhaps "pledged” would be
more appropriate for the drug stores.) Only two
saloons remain open. But they might as well surren-
der with a good grace, for public opinion is up to the
“high moral” point, and the law will finish what the
Gospel does not.
At Zaleski a complete victory was gained in two
weeks. All the saloons are closed, all the drug-stores
pledged,” and nearly the whole adult population have
signed the pledge. At Jamestown every saloon is
closed. At Waynesville and Corwin (on opposite sides
of the Little Miami) every saloon is closed. Thomas
Franey, “the most gentlemanly saloonatic in Ohio,"
held out a long time, but he was too much of a gentle-
man for such a business, and yielded just in time to
save his credit. At Reeseville the ladies carried things
as by storm ; three saloons were closed almost before the
saloonatics knew what hurt them. Logan, in the Hock-
ing Valley, looked to me like Morrow—a hopeless case.
In a population of 2,500 it had twenty-three saloons.
The saloonatics were all men of property, worth every-
where from twenty to a hundred thousand dollars each.

88
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
The place is surrounded by mining towns (coal), and
its Saturday nights were often made hideous by
drunken miners. The ladies entered upon their work
the first of February; the first of March only one sa-
loon remained ! McArthur, Vinton county, was cleared
of the liquor traffic in six weeks. At Chillicothe the
movement proceeds slowly, but we are assured with
certainty of final success.
Time and space fail me to set forth the various places
redeemed and the good accomplished. These figures
do not represent the most important features of the
progress. Its educational effects, both morally and in-
tellectually, have been immense. It has waked the
people up to their duty. The women have discovered
their immense moral power against intemperance, and
they will use it. Their social power on the subject is
yet to be tested ; but I, for one, believe it to be much
greater than the means now employed. If every ma-
tron would close her parlor to, and every maiden de-
cline all attentions from, any young man who habit-
ually used intoxicating liquors, there would be a greater
reform than could be effected by forty Adair laws or
Baxter bills. But this is hardly a just comparison, for
a reform need not be very great to exceed that ef-
fected by those laws.
This movement has also educated the popular intel-
lect. It has set men to earnest thinking, who had not
been in the habit; it put men to committee work, and
in other places, where their latent faculties were de-
veloped. The genius of the movement has been : Put
every man and woman where he or she will do the
most good, whether at talking, writing, singing, com-
mittee work or leading in religious exercises. Above
all it has worked men up to the importance of enforcing

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
89
what laws we have on the subject I am not, myself,
an enthusiast for general prohibitory laws, but I think
the wisdom of our legislators might give us a general
ordinance which would enable the people of any one
town or district to forbid the establishment of saloons
without being governed by their neighbors. Local
self-government, with the women's movement to help,
would clear two-thirds of the small towns of whisky-
shops. It would not stop all whisky drinking, of course;
it will take some generations to do that. But it would
remove those standing temptations which are contin-
ually creating a new army of drunkards.
But are there no evils connected with this move-
ment? Verily, there are, and some serious ones, too.
When it began prophecies were abundant as to the
evils that would result. Particularly it was expected
that as it spread it would gradually grow less effect-
ive; that saloon-keepers would devise new methods
of resistance, and when the novelty wore off men
would sell and drink regardless of the presence of
women. This has proved only partially true. New
defenses have been overcome by new methods of
attack; the movement appears to gather strength
rather than lose, and where the fair crusaders have
been careful to keep within the law, their power has
suffered no diminution.
One evil to be feared more than all others was the
natural tendency of all such movements to run into
fanaticism, and be controlled by mere blind impulse.
But I am surprised to see how successfully this evil
has been avoided in most instances. There is no other
feature in which the ladies have shown such admira-
ble tact and judgment as in guiding the popular
enthusiasm ; and the methods by which they have

90
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
controlled it deserve notice. Whenever a man got
obstreperous they would sing him into calm reason.
At many an evening meeting I have attended I have
seen some muscular Christian, or fighting Methodist,
get terribly excited over the liquor traffic, or some
slight he thought the ladies had received, and talk in
a way that, if let alone, would excite a mob spirit
But the ladies would at once strike up, “Come ye
that love the Lord,” or “There is a fountain filled
with blood,” or some more subduing strain, and even
as David's harp charmed the evil spirit out of Saul,
the song brought down the warlike mind to a calm
temper. When a man got unusually angry, some
venerable lady or old Christian brother would deliver
a fervent prayer for humility and a contrite heart,
and all would be well again.
But I have noticed one evil occasionally, the relation
of which may wound the feelings of the devout. In
many instances this movement has caused a profana-
tion of prayer. People of peculiar organizations, who
are not careful to distinguish between their own
impulses and the “promptings of the Spirit,” have
been led to utter extravagances, which would grate
harshly on the ear at any time, but are positively
shocking in a prayer. If I may so express it, they
did not pray to God so much as at the saloon-keeper,
imagining that zeal for the cause and anger at its
opponents were equally the results of Divine prompt-
ings; their prayers were not petitions to the Creator
so much as threats of Divine vengeance on the rum-
sellers and passionate appeals to the hearers. Some
such evil as this, so natural to poor humanity, seems
inseparable from all popular excitements, in which the
religious emotions play an active part. “The great

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
91
army of the queer and crazy," as aptly described by
Mary Clemmer Ames, seem instinctively attracted to
such movements; and, as if it were planned by the
devil himself, they so mix up with the movement that
they appear to the world as its accredited leaders.
Luther did not have half the trouble with pope and
priest that he did with those wild reformers who main-
tained that “ Christian liberty” meant liberty to follow
the patriarchs into polygamy and concubinage, and to
be independent of earthly rulers and magistrates.
And I imagine the women suffragists of to-day would
rather have ten thousand Todds, Bushnells, and Hol-
lands against them than one Woodhull with them.
That something of that nature attends on this is not
to be wondered at; but I can safely say that I never
witnessed a movement that had so little. That the
ladies have so managed as to almost avoid that entan-
glement, I consider their greatest triumph. The legal
difficulty in the way is not so easily settled. Christi-
anity is not incorporated in the law of Ohio, and I
have no more right, under the Constitution, to sing
and pray before a man's door against his will than he
has to whistle and dance before mine. I observe that
one judge goes farther, and says that public prayer
for a man against his will, no matter where is an in-
fringement of private right. “His name is his private
property, and must not be used in such a way as to
bring bira into unpleasant notoriety or public con-
tempt.” It will certainly be a novelty in jurisprudence
if men take out an injunction to prevent women pray-
ing for them. But I suspect there are very few deal-
ers who will appeal to the law. Those who are with-
out the law must be judged accordingly, and if there
is one saloon-keeper in ten in this country who keeps

92
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
within the law, I haven't the evidence to convince me
of it. I remember, however, an injunction case of a
similar nature, that is reported in Second Kings, and
that was dissolved rather suddenly by a higher Court.
Take it in any light we will, this movement is
worthy of attention. Even in the lowest political
view it is important, for more than one local election,
and probably some general elections, will turn upon
it. To the higher class of statesmen, who recognize
the fact that all parties embodying great principles
must be built up by slow and separately insensible
increments, it is of interest as an important factor in
the work. The attention of the philosopher is called
to it as a unique phenomenon, and the sociologists
might see in it an important point in the progress of
social evolution. The Christian, of course, will see in
it a remarkable illustration of the power of prayer
and moral force. And whether right or wrong, the
Christian has this advantage: his view includes all
that is good in all the others, and has a special element
of personal comfort besides.
The indirect effects of the Women's War on Whisky
are deserving of notice. It is generally true that when
any great movement like this sweeps over the country,
enlisting tens of thousands in the cause, every man
with an ism starts up and tries to hitch the movement
on to his car. The advocates of prohibitory liquor
laws, of woman suffrage, and of the religious amend-
ment“God-in-the-Constitution"-severally see in this
movement a heaven-sent proof of the goodness of their
cause and an aid to its success. At first it seemed that
this work would be a wonderful help to woman-suf-
frage; but later developments show rather the contrary.
In the first place the leading women who advocate

TIIE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
93
suffrage for their sex have taken strong ground against
this movement. Besides the pronunciamentos from
Mrs. Cady Stanton, and others, the following letter
from Mrs. Swisshelm shows the animus of that class :
“ To the Editor of the New York Tribune :
"Sir: The daily press has been largely occupied of late with
details of the war which women have waged with the liquor traf-
fic in some of our Western States; and, so far as I have observed,
its sentiment seems to be generally in favor of the attack, while
the defense has small share of sympathy. As the question thus
raised lies deeper than a few illegal prayer meetings in the snow,
will you allow me a little space for its consideration ?
"In her address before the Judiciary Committee of the House
of Representatives, in Washington, against the right of any wo-
man to take any part in political affairs, Mrs. Guthrie said, that
man is, by nature and by God, the keeper and guardian of women
and children. That this is physically true, there is no room for
doubt. No man can honestly live to himself. The gifts of one
are the inheritance of all. The strong, by the gift of strength, is
made the helper of the weak; the wise, by his wisdom, the teacher
of the foolish; the pure, by his purity, the guide of the impure-
and so on to the end. Our best belongs to the world; our worst is
our own. Bacon's wisdom and greatness were important items in
the schedule of the world's wealth. His meanness alone was his
private property. Man's superior muscle makes him the muscular
guardian of women and children, and lays upon him onerous du-
ties, which he seldom shirks. Even savage men make their bodies
a wall of defense for the women of their tribe, and that man lacks
manhood whose instinct does not prompt him to spring between a
woman or child and physical harm. This instinct is something
different from that which makes the strong man the guardian of
the infirm of his own sex, and lies deep in the Creator's plan for
the perpetuation of the race. x
"To one who thinks calmly, and recognizes man's natural guardi-
anship of woman, it is wonderful to see hundreds of thousands of
able-bodied men stand aside and cheer a few thousand feeble wom-
en on to such a wasting, hopeless, physical contest. What is it
all but a trial of physical strength between the liquor dealers and

94
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
their assailants, with all the conditions in favor of the former?
Who does not know it is hopeless? Who does not know that the
man can sit longer by his hot stove than the women can kneel in
the snow? Who does not know that he must win the case when
it comes before the courts? Who does not know that the law is
on his side? Who does not know that they have no more right
to encumber a sidewalk with a prayer-meeting tent than with a
pig pen? Who does not know that they have no more right to go
into a man's house without his consent, or to hinder his lawful
business by crowding his doorstep, than he has to set up a bar in
the parlor of any one of them? Who does not know that these
women are reënacting the part of the old sheep who knocked his
own brains out butting a swinging mallet? The thing seems at
every stroke to give way, but returns with rebound to strike the
striker, while the men who encourage the onslaught are like the
boy who hung up the mallet.
"With a word, a turn of the hand, men made the laws which
they prompt women to violate. Without physical labor, by the
exercise of a great moral power, they intrench the rum traffic in
its present position; then, as a 'sop to Cerberus,' quiet their con-
sciences by throwing up their hats for the women who attack those
intrenchments, by pitting their powers of physical endurance
against those of the garrison. The implement which raised the
fortifications is the ballot; and this is the only power competent
to overthrow them. If it is not right for woman to wield this
power, it is not wise for her to contend against it, with only physi-
cal endurance as a weapon. It is, in fact, a complete reversal of
the natural position of the sexes; for, as physical force is man's
sphere, so is moral power woman's; and in as far as he exceeds
her in muscle does she excel him in moral perception. To deny
her the use of that most efficient moral weapon, a vote, and then
urge her into a physical contest with it, is very like saying that
women can not use artillery or Spencer rifles, but ought to form
the advance in an attack upon an army well drilled in their use,
and sending them forward armed with broadswords, shields, jave-
lins, and other implements of medieval warfare. This is certainly
poor generalship, and suggests the idea of surplus troops, which
it would be more economical to bury than provision. Soldiers
who can not be intrusted with weapons of equal power with those

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
95
of the enemy, should be mustered out, and never should have been
mustered in.
"Men alone have assumed the responsibility of government.
Let them bear it alone or acknowledge they can not. If they feel
that they have been legislating themselves into drunkards' graves,
and can not do otherwise, let them look for the cause; and if they
find that the Creator was right when he said, “It is not good for
man to be alone,' and gave to man and woman a joint dominion
over the earth, let them call on their natural, heaven-appointed
allies; let them restore to them their equal dominion, which men
have feloniously taken away, and say, 'help us and yourselves;
join with us in preserving our children from the rum fiend! Help
us to save the world! We will bear the brunt in physical war,
you on the moral battle-field. United we stand, divided we fall!
Together we can face and conquer all the powers of darkness !
Come with us, not as our property, but as our partners, in time and
in eternity, in joy and in sorrow, in conflict and in victory !' When
they are ready to do this they will find women, even Mrs. Guthrie,
ready to respond; but until they are, let them do their own fight-
ing with the creature of their own creation, and the carnal weapons
of physical force which of right belong to them.
“JANE GREY SWISSHELM.
“CHICAGO, ILL., February 12, 1874."
It seems to be the idea of such women that if men
would only make “good laws,” every thing would be
lovely. And no doubt, when those women enter our
legislatures we shall have plenty of moral reform"'
laws. With what result every experienced man can
easily predict; for, among all the uncertainties of law
and society, one thing is everlastingly certain: The
unexpected and indirect results of any law are always
greater than the direct and expected.
But while a few have been converted, many more
have been convinced by this movement that in moral
matters women can do far more than voters. In pol-
itics women could only do what we have done-pass
temperance laws and elect men to execute them. A

96
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
quarter of a century's experience has shown the futil-
ity of that. Our laws are too good now. The average
moral sentiment of the laws is above the average moral
sense of the people. Such laws are due to the special
efforts of exceptionally good men, who labor to get
them on the statute-book, and then are vastly sur-
prised to find that laws do not execute themselves.
The advocates of this reform assume that a state of
society could exist in which the women were so far in-
dependent of the men that they could adopt a scheme
of civil polity in opposition to the wish of a majority
of the men, or having adopted, enforce it. And this
when the census of Ohio shows that, with the excep-
tion of one in twelve, every woman of voting age is
the intimate bosom friend, business partner, and trusted
counselor of some man; that four-fifths of the prop-
erty is in the hands of men, and nine-tenths of the
ability to earn more, and that men won't enforce their
own laws if they don't like them, much less those of
women. The proposition is briefly this: Men are to
hand over half their political power to women, that
women may turn around and use that power to compel
men to do right. The genius who lifted himself over
the stile by his boot-straps must have been the in-
ventor of this scheme. I should naturally hesitate to
hand a woman a club if she had previously declared
her intention to "swat me over the head” with it.
And it seems to me that what men are unwilling to do,
they will hardly give women the power to compel
them to do.
And while it is doubtful whether many friends of
temperance have been gained, it is certain that all the
enemies of this movement are made the enemies of
women suffrage. There is in this country a growing

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
97
dread of the influence of the church, as such, in poli-
tics; and many undoubted friends of temperance have
grave fears that they will, by alliance with this move-
ment, be dragged into other schemes for which they
have no sympathy. Such regard women suffrage as
only an aid to “God-in-the-Constitution,” and a union
of Church and State.
The prohibitionists have been scarcely more fortu-
nate in capturing this movement. Whether this result
was due to the position of Dr. Lewis or not, we can
hardly say; but whenever called upon to give his
views, he has opposed prohibitory legislation. At
Dayton he gave his views at length. He gave a full
history of such legislation in Massachusetts. He had
once favored it, and labored for it, but he now saw his
mistake. It had injured the cause by leading men to
trust in law. The Washingtonians had been laboring
to save drunkards by love and kindness, but when the
law came they put their hands in their pockets and
said, “Now let her work," and she would not work.
They had the most law-abiding people in the world,
and a prohibitory law so good that the devil himself
could not pick a flaw in it. Yet they had thirty-five
hundred rum-holes in Boston, and more drunkenness
than before in the State. He felt impelled to thus talk
because this women's work met with so much hin-
drance from men who put their trust in law. Our ex-
perience of a quarter of a century in Indiana seems to
teach the same lesson.
The reasons for this imperfect operation of prohibi-
tory laws are not far to seek. And even in those
cases where such laws appear to be doing great good,
it is well to inquire if their operation is not creating
among the people habits of thought which will even-

98
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
tually work out far greater evils than any the laws
can remove. It can not be doubted that our popular
institutions have their root deep in the democratic
idea that it is nobody's business what a man does to
his own hurt; and that the liquor traffic only comes
within the province of the legislature in so far as it
enables a man to maintain a nuisance against the wish
of the community. Upon this principle the “local
option” feature of our law appeared to me correct,
enabling each community to decide for itself whether
it would sustain the sale of liquor. But I suspect the
great error of the temperance men has consisted in
going beyond this, and maintaining the right of the
State to regulate individual conduct wherever it
seemed good to the majority to do so.
Two theories of civil government were presented
for our forefathers' consideration : the paternal, assum-
ing that it is the business of government to "take
care of the people," and permit them to do only that
which is for their good; and the opposite doctrine,
that it is the province of government to leave each
man as much as possible to himself, and only interfere
with him when he interferes with some other man's
personal freedom or property. No matter which was
the true theory originally, there can be no question
tbąt the Constitutional Fathers adopted the latter;
that they intended a cheap and simple form of gov-
ernment, which should not touch the individuality of
the citizen at one point in a thousand of his daily life.
But, unfortunately, habits of political thought endure
long after the facts which gave rise to them have
passed away; and the old European idea of a paternal,
religious, or moral reform government still lingers in
the minds of a large class of our people. “Why don't

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
99
the government do something ?” is a question I have
heard at least a hundred times since the late panic;
and to the minds of such people the two facts that a
certain thing is an evil, and we should be better off if it
were abolished, are ample reasons for governmental
interference. “Something must be done-govern-
ment ought to take hold and do it. Whatever gov-
ernment undertakes, if the law is sufficiently stringent,
will be accomplished.” Such is virtually their logic-
though they do not put it so definitely.
And this seems to me the great evil of all prohib-
itory liquor laws; they familiarize the minds of the
people with the daily interference of government in
their private affairs. They raise up a hateful brood
of spies and informers. They send men spying into
our back kitchens or private closets, to see what we
drink; and then to following our steps to see where we
buy it. Honorable men instinctively shrink from this
sort of business, and no matter how fairly the reform-
ers start out, you will notice that the actual business
of filing information or making affidavits soon slides
down into the hands of men whom we do not readily
take to. This honorable reluctance to “turn informer"
on one's neighbor, to have him fined for an ordinary
drink,” is not without its resulting embarrassment;
but can we afford to have it a bolished ? Suppose we
could create such a furore for temperance that men
would generally give notice of their neighbors' sale,
purchase, or use of liquor-yea, suppose we could
thereby abolish the traffic altogether—and to that
complexion must it come if we abolish it by law-
though at the cost of breaking down this instinctive
reluctance, would not our loss far outweigh our gain?
The moralist comes to me and says: “Sir, it is bad for

100
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
you to drink.” The prohibitionist says: “Sir, you
shall not drink; and if you do, we'll put you in jail or
make you tell where you got your liquor!" And all
the natural man and democratic American in me fires
up to reply, “I'll drink what I please.” And if the
law does imprison me for refusing to tell where I
obtained my liquor, the community has an instinctive
feeling that personal liberty has been outraged, and
one or two such cases render the enforcement of the
law in that community impossible. The moral sua-
sionist presents himself as a friend, the law as an
enemy. The chances are a hundred to one that the
toper will listen to the first where he would resist the
second.
Another serious defect in the prohibitory law is,
that it is only effective as to the poor, but a dead letter
as to the rich. And any law of which that is true is
certain to be a failure in this democratic country.
The retail shop, where the poor man gets his drink, can
be shut up, but the wealthy use as much liquor as
ever. At least a hundred fines have been inflicted for
drunkenness in one town within the year-every one
of them upon poor laboring men--while I have known
a score of “drunks” among the wealthy and socially
powerful without even a threat of arrest. It is scarcely
necessary to quote 'here the homely proverb, “What is
everybody's business is nobody's business," but it is
evident that a law which does not specifically call upon
some one person or set of persons for enforcement con-
tains within itself the elements of defeat. It is easy
enough to say, " The law is good enough, if people
would only enforce it." Similarly, if the stone you
throw up would stay in the air, it would not fall and
break anybody's head. But there is a law of nature

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
101
operating by reason of which the stone will not stay
in the air; and there is a law none the less real, though
more subtle, by which statutes aimed at merely per-
sonal vices will either be irregularly enforced or totally
disregarded. When a man is murdered, his friends-
or the man himself and his friends, if his property be
taken or his person harmed-are all alive to the im-
portance of justice; every eye is open, every ear turned
to catch the slightest whisper which may lead to the
arrest of the offender. And, when arrested, the prose-
cuting witness is the natural ally of the law; no threats
of the court are required to make him testify, and
thus it is two against one-State and witness against
the offender. But in case of personal vices, particu-
larly drunkenness, the offender and the one on whom
the act is done are in collusion against the law; their
interests are to defeat the prosecutor, and the unwil-
ling witness either evades the court entirely, or with-
holds the most important evidence. It is here again
two against one, but the one is the law. Hence, laws
against murder, theft, and the like, have an inherent
tendency toward enforcement, no matter how loosely
or awkwardly worded; but laws against personal vices
naturally tend to fall into disuse; and thus a prohibi-
tory liquor law must be far more stringent and clearly
worded than ordinary criminal law; and to render it
effective, the powers of government must be increased
ten fold.
The State of Indiana can enforce her Criminal Code
with tolerable certainty; but to enforce the Baxter
bill, it will be necessary not only to vastly strengthen
the prerogatives of each local official, but create a cen-
sor morum, whose specific duty it shall be to file infor-
mation against offenders, upon which the justice can

102
THE 'WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
issue warrants. The advocate of temperance laws too
often lose sight of the distinction between sin and
crime. The latter will be punished on the evidence of
the injured party ; punishment of the former must de-
pend on society at large, unless the government name
a censor, as suggested. But the experience of all con-
stitutional governments has shown that an increase or
extension of the powers of government always results
in one of two evils--either each separate arm of gov-
ernment grows weaker in proportion as the arms are
extended, or in the desperate attempt to strengthen
them the central power grows too great for the liberty
of the citizen; and thus government on the one hand
degenerates into anarchy, or on the other strengthens
into despotism. The former tendency is now apparent
in our laws—at least one-fifth of them are practically
void. One-fifth of our statutes might be repealed to-
morrow, and the observer would note no difference in
the ordinary workings of society. The prohibitionists
must now address to their consciences this question:
Is the suppression of the liquor traffic of such tran-
scendent importance that we should, to compass it,
grant extraordinary powers to government: and if we
do grant these powers, will the evil stop there?
Another serious difficulty with such a law is the ease
with which it can be made an instrument of private
revenge. In this it is like our Sunday law, “provoke"
law, "profanity" law, and a dozen others referred to
above. Nobody ever thinks of enforcing them in a
general way; but occasionally some mean-spirited soul,
who has conceived a spite against his neighbor, lies in
wait till he hears him swear, or sees him violate some
other one of our many “dead-letter laws," then hies him
to a justice and takes his mean revenge by means of the

THE MOVEMENT BECOMES NATIONAL.
103
law. Of course the injured party, seeing that the stat-
ute is only revived at rare instances for an unworthy
purpose, looks upon the government as an enemy
rather than a friend, and he and his become enemies
of the law. Several such cases have already occurred
under our temperance law. Disregard for such stat-
utes insensibly teaches men contempt for all law, and
the measure of legal power becomes the measure of
right.
For twenty years it has been “orthodox” to favor
prohibitory laws, to see only the reasons in their favor,
and ignore the difficulties. On men who took no active
part in the reform the effect of such a one-sided sys-
tem was bad enough; but on those who made it a hobby
much worse. In zeal for this one reform they lost
sight of collateral issues; though constant failure at-
tended the law they refused to return to the moral and
educational methods by which a partial success had
been secured, and insisted on “more stringent meas-
ures." Ignoring the evils almost certain to result
from such laws, the radical temperance men too often
appear as a set of impracticables. To many of them
it was nothing that such legislation trenched on indi.
vidual liberty, that it raised a brood of spies and in-
formers; that it cultivated hypocrisy, perjury, and
evasion of law; that it familiarized the popular mind
with a coerced morality, and gave rise to more dangers
and evils than it cured. Their action might have been
appropriate, and their plan practical, under a different
political system ; but under ours, I can not but con-
clude that all such repressive systems will fail. The
ideas of those who favor such legislation appear to me
only a “survival” of those which prevailed under the
older "paternal governments.” Once they were use-

104
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
ful, and their action assisted to make the present con.
dition possible; now they are a hindrance, leading men
to trust that to written law, which can only be accom-
plished by moral and educational methods. We are in
a transition state, and our laws are a compromise be-
tween the past and the future, answering, though some-
what awkwardly, the needs of the present. Nominally,
and in the written constitution, paternal government"
is abrogated; practically, and in the minds of many of
the people, we retain the standards of political thought
and governmental creeds of the old system. That we
are so able to develop the new, while the old still clings
to us, is one of the hopeful signs of the times. Con-
stant experiments on the old plan, under the new con-
ditions, followed in course by constant failure, will
finally teach the most impracticable that new wine can
not safely be put in old bottles; that a system emi-
nently practicable under a monarch with a standing
army, is eminently absurd where the people must en-
force the law upon themselves; that a popular govern-
ment can not make people good by law; but that vir-
tue, temperance, and general morality must depend on
individual action and moral suasion, the only benefit
of law being to prevent undue interference with the
good by the violent and bad.
The Women's War has elicited a thousand or more
songs, poems, and hymns. From a half-bushel or so
offered I select, as a fitting finale to this somewhat
lengthy digression on prohibition and other reforms,
the best one—written by a gentleman who believes in
all the isms from “God-in-the-Constitution” down.
While the composition is not above criticism, the
meter not quite faultless, and the measure not exactly

THE WOMAN'S PROBLEM.
105
Spenserian, yet the life and spirit are good; and while
I dissent from all the author's conclusions I agree meas-
urably with his premises.
THE WOMAM’S PROBLEM.
BY GEORGE KATES.
"The sounds of war come from afar
With victory songs to cheer us,
While sacred airs and fervent prayers
Ascend from voices near us.
It is a cry ascending high
From stricken hearts, all bleeding,
Whose prayer and song recite a wrong
All other wrongs exceeding-
A giant wrong, alert and strong,
Entrenched in human weakness,
Before whose shrines, ’mid glowing wines,
The brave bow down in meekness.
Love fades and dies in bloated eyes;
The strong their strength surrender;
While manhood falls prostrate, and crawls
Before the arch offender.
While millions feel his iron heel
And writhe beneath its power,
They seek in vain redress to gain
From men who serve the hour.
For those we send our laws to mend
Consult their purse and palates,
Till every law presents a flaw
To serve their master's valets.
When helpless man beneath this ban
Let fall his hands despairing,
'Twas women's hour to try her power,
In deeds of love and daring.

106
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
Calm and alert, with faith begirt,
Of malice all defiant;
With gentle hand she grasps her wand,
And wrestles with the giant !
Ye gods and men, with golden pen,
Write down her deeds of valor!
Write on the page: “Tis woman's age;
And demons quail in pallor.”
Breathless we stand, and watch her wand,
That waves in conflict yonder;
While song and prayer fill all the air
With problems men may ponder.
As goes the fight 'twixt wrong and right,
Her wand still waving higher,
The demon moans in bitter tones
'Neath love's resistless fire.
Shall you and I stand idly by,
• Without a voice to cheer her,
While hell sends up its battle cry
From tongues that vilely jeer her?
Shall wê, whose hearts should be our charts
Stand croaking like the raven,
While her fair hand waves high the wand
That points us to a haven?
Are we not men with mother ken;
In this republic sovereign ?
With vote and voice to make a choice
Of how, and who shall govern ?
“Ah! yes," say you, “but still, 'tis true
We lack the force of numbers,”
Then let us rise and ope our eyes,
From out our listless slumbers !

THE WOMEN'S PROBLEM.
107
And talk no more, as wont of yore,
Of arms and hearts of yeomen;
The way is plain, the right to gain-
Enfranchise glorious women!
At least, we'll pray: God speed the day
When victory's wreath shall crown her;
And every State, from small to great,
Shall in the franchise own her!
While now she kneels where manhood reels,
Amid his foul pollution,
Then both shall stand with hand in hand-
This problem's grand solution.
Where now she stoops, 'mid vulgar groups,
To raise her fallen brother,
She'll stand erect with those elect,
Who council each with other.
In her franchise full power lies
To offer firm resistance
To venal rings which avarice brings
To crush out our existence.
Now, woman, we will stand by thee
In fair and adverse weather ;
Come, thou, help us with votes, and thus
We all shall pull together.
With one voice ask, and then the task
Of equal rights securing-
Long since begun-at once is done;
And done to be enduring.
With faith in right, we'll then have might
To stem all adverse currents,
And reach a port of safe resort
In spite of winds and torrents;

108
THE WOMEN'S WAR ON WHISKY.
While those who ride upon the tide,
When tidal waves are flowing,
And shift their range as tides may change,
Or winds reverse their blowing,
Find winds that blow with tidal flow,
Reversed, can but condemn them;
And ebbing waves must find them graves,
Unless for right they stem them.
PIQUA, OH10; March 1, 1874.

APPENDIX.
FORMS OF PLEDGES.
The following are the forms of pledges used in the
progress of the Woman's Temperance Movement:
DRUGGISTS' PLEDGE.
We, the undersigned, druggists of - , hereby pledge our-
selves, upon our honor as business men, that from this date we
will, under no circumstances, sell, or give away, or allow to be sold
or given away by any of our agents or employes, any alcoholic or
intoxicating liquors, wine, beer, or ale, except upon satisfactory
evidence that the liquors are to be used for medicinal or mechan-
ical purposes.
PROPERTY HOLDERS' PLEDGE.
We, the undersigned, property holders in — , pledge our-
selves, upon our honor, not to let or lease our premises (or prem-
ises for which we are agents), in this city, or permit them to be
used or occupied for the sale or dispensing in any way of spirituous
liquors, wine, beer, or ale, to be used as a beverage.
DEALERS' PLEDGE.
We hereby pledge ourselves, upon our honor, not to sell, furnish,
or give away, or allow to be sold or given away by any agent or
employe of ours, either by retail or wholesale, any spirituous
liquors, wine, beer, or ale, except for medicinal or mechanical
purposes.
PHYSICIANS' PLEDGE.
We, the undersigned, physicians of - , upon our honor as
professional men, promise hereby not to prescribe the use of spir-
ituous liquors, wine, beer, or ale, only in case of absolute ne-
cessity.
(109)

110
APPENDIX.
II.
CAMPAIGN SONGS.
New songs have not been received with much favor
during this crusade, the ladies having as a rule pre-
ferred to sing the old familiar hymns, which everybody
knows, and which are so admirably adapted to arous-
ing the enthusiasm of devout Christians or workers in
any great moral reformation. Such hymns as “Nearer
my God to Thee," “All Hail the Power of Jesus'
Name," "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,"
“Rock of Ages," and the Battle Hymn of the Repub-
lic have arisen from every assemblage of the crusaders
and have become as familiar to the saloon-keepers of
Ohio as they have heretofore been to the most regular
church-goers. To fit the air of the Battle Hymn of the
Republic, or “John Brown," as it is generally called,
several temperance songs have been written, and
some of them have been sung by the ladies and mass
meetings of both sexes, with great effect. We append
three, which have been received with favor:
THE BATTLE HYMN OF TEMPERANCE.
BY LEWIS MEREDITH.
Tune: “John Brown.”
The word from Heaven is spoken, and will never pass away,
That truth and right shall spread, and win a universal sway;
And now are pouring o'er the world the glories of the day:
God's truth is marching on.
CHORUS.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God's truth is marching on.

APPENDIX.
111
From sin and Satan Christ shall have the empire of the world;
Through darkest dens, o'er ranks of hell, His lightnings shall be
hurled;
Behold from far, and waving wide, his banner is unfurled:
His truth is marching on.
The wretched earth has mourned so long the reign of vice and
crime,
That hearts will dance and eyes will shine when comes the better
time.
'Tis coming! coming on a pace! In all its golden prime:
God's truth is marching on.
The fiend is doomed! Thy will be done, by woman pledged and
sworn.
The forts are stormed by prayer and praise, and on the wind is
borne
Exulting shouts of joyful hosts, as through the gates of morn:
God's truth comes marching on.
Arise with Heaven! and bless the world ; let all respond below;
With heart and hand and voice arise, to fell and crush the foe;
For God hath cursed the curse of drink, and He will lay it low:
His truth is marching on.
CHICAGO, February 26, 1874.
BATTLE HYMN OF THE CRUSADERS.
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,"
The fulfillment of His promise, as recorded in His Word,
And the smiting of the wicked with his "terrible swift sword.”
When God is marching on.
CHORUS.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! glory, glory, hallelujah! •
Glory, glory, hallelujah! our God is marching on!
Long hath God heard from stricken hearts a feeble, plaintive sigh-
“How long, O Lord, how long must we unpitied live and die?
Wilt Thou not in Thy mercy, Lord, now listen to our cry?
As Thou art marching on ?”

112
APPENDIX.
The woes of drunkenness on earth have mounted up to Heaven,
The wrongs of parents, children, wives, are known and unforgiven,
And long God's light and truth in vain with guilty men have
striven ;
Now God is marching on.
In mighty power God's voice is heard above all earthly din,
Repent! repent ! come forth at once from all your haunts of sin,
Ere in my courts I swear in wrath, "ye shall not enter in;"
For God is marching on.
Long have you to your brother's lips a poisoned chalice pressed,
And though you know 'tis sin and crime, by you 'tis unconfessed;
Now listen to God's stern command this moment to desist,
For God is marching on.
The sinner hears the voice of God now sounding in his ears,
It mingleth with kind woman's voice, in songs, and prayers, and
tears,
And fills his heart with sense of guilt, and penitence, and fears;
God's Truth is marching on.
He listens to the still small voice of conscience in his heart,
And pledges from iniquity forever to depart,
And in the cause of Temperance to take an earnest part;
Our God is marching on.
Let all God's people liſt their hearts, and from the mountain's top'
And from the plains and valleys deep, send up a joyful shout,
The Lord is God, and from the earth this curse he will blot out,
For God is marching on.
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE CRUSADE.
BY MRS. EMILY J. BUGBEE.
On the plains of bloodless battle, they are gathering true and
strong,
All the hero-hearted women, who have wept in silence long,
At the terrible oncoming of this raven-winged wrong,
Now God is leading on.
CHORUS—Glory, glory, hallelujah, etc.

APPENDIX.
113
They have sallied forth to conquer, and will never beat retreat,
While the banner of the rum-fiend is still flaunted on the street,
And his hellish snares are waiting, for the all unwary feet,
For God will lead them on.
They will pierce the bending heavens with united prayers and
cries,
Till the strongholds shall be shaken and the foe defeated lies,
Who has slain his many thousands of the strong ones and the wise
For God will lead them on.
They have looked to law's enforcement, for the time that never
came,
Now, God hath surely kindled in their hearts undying flame,
And relying on His spirit, they shall conquer in His name,
For He is leading on.
For the future of their dear ones, for their country's power and
pride,
Onward moved by bitter memories of the past, whose pains abide,
They are working, weeping, praying, in their weakness side by
side,
For He is leading on.
Be still, oh tongue of caviler, be strong oh heart of fear,
See you not the cloudy pillar that is ever hovering near,
Know you not an ear is open that will not refuse to hear?
- For God is leading on.
Oh the beauty and the blessing when the curse is swept away,
That has turned to midnight darkness so many a golden day,
And is throwing weary shadows o'er many a life-long ray,
For Christ is coming near.
All the desert and the wilderness shall blossom with the flowers
Of industry and plenty, in this blessed land of ours,
And the grace of God unstinted shall come down in gentle showers,
For heaven will be begun.
10

114
APPENDIX.
III.
DIO LEWIS' ACCOUNT OF HIS MEETINGS IN WORCES-
TER—HIS PLANS FOR A NEW SERIES OF MEETINGS
IN OHIO.
MONTPELIER, VT., March 9, 1874.
" To the Editor of the Cincinnati Gazette :
"The temperance meeting at Worcester was a grand success.
The great hall was never filled with a nobler audience, and every
one declared that the Ohio temperance movement was fairly inau-
gurated in the heart of Massachusetts. The meeting at Grace
Church, the next morning-a meeting of women---filled the house;
and was characterized by the same manifestations that have so con-
stantly thrilled me in the Ohio meetings. I attended, likewise,
the meeting of the clergy in the afternoon. It was long and in-
harmonious. The question was, whether, in the resolution which
should express their views of the woman's temperance movement,
they should say, 'Resolved, That we shall respect any temperance
movement inaugurated by our Christian women;' or, 'We bid
God speed to any temperance movement,' etc. The meaning of
respect' and 'God speed' were carefully considered. While this
debate was in progress, there were six hundred tearful women on
their knees in Grace Church.
"I have been lecturing in other localities every day since, but
learn from the newspapers that the friends in Worcester have been
very busy in devising what is to be known as the Eastern Woman's
Temperance Movement. They propose to reduce the number of
women in the parties visiting saloons, and to visit privately prop-
erty owners, to induce them not to rent their property for dram
selling; and, in case any property is already rented for this vile
purpose, not to renew the lease. In every case they propose to
avoid all excitement, which, it is affirmed, is inconsistent with the
refined tastes of New England. I can not forsee the result. But
One thing is very certain, the women of Worcester are desperately
in earnest, and, I have no doubt, will find a way. I notice in Sat-
urday's papers, in large letters,
"DIO LEWIS' WESTERN SCHEME ABANDONED BY THE LADIES
OF WORCESTER.'
“I am sure the brave women of Ohio will be glad to learn a bet-
ter way, and will adopt the 'Eastern method,' or what a Boston

APPENDIX.
115
paper calls the 'Worcester method,' if they can see in it some
easier and more effectual way of ridding their great Common-
wealth of the curse of dram shops.
"At the Columbus convention I gave notice that I should return
to Ohio before the 15th of March. I must visit New York, Phila-
delphia, and some other cities, but think now I shall reach Cleve-
land on the evening of Monday, the 16th of the month. I par-
ticularly wish to begin in the northern part of the State.
"In every city, town, or village, where the friends will manage
their meetings in a certain way, I will make no charge for my
services beyond the mere expenses. There are several towns in
Ohio which have written me their willingness to pay a hundred
dollars if I would come to them. I will visit all of those towns,
and any others, without charge, if they will make the following
preparations :
"1. Charge an admission fee of twenty-five or fifty cents, to
raise a fund to carry on the work, but admit women free. By the
fee you keep out idlers.
"2. Reserve one-half the house, and that immediately in front
of the platform, for invited women. Print invitation cards, and
carefully circulate them among the best women in town, with a
statement on the card that the ticket gives the bearer a reserved
seat. These tickets are to be distributed fairly among the various
churches, not neglecting the Catholic Church, and among many
excellent women outside the churches. Ushers will receive the
holders of such tickets and seat them.
"3. Circulate complimentary invitation cards to clergymen, and
such other persons as the friends would like to have sit on the
platform.
"4. Have a good singer on the platform, who, in addition to a
leading voice, shall keep time with his hand, and thus help the
whole audience to sing as with one voice.
"I will bring the songs. These will be distributed free through
the house, to be preserved by the friends for use in future meet-
ings.
“Although for the nineteen temperance meetings held in Ohio I
received but $315, and after paying expenses from Boston through-
out the campaign and back to Boston, including the expenses of
some other people in part, and very large telegraph bills, I had

116
APPENDIX.
less than $50 balance; and certainly it was the most exhaustive
labor of my life, still I think now there was a sort of justice in the
contemptuous sneer of the newspapers that 'Dio Lewis is praying
for temperance at $50 a night.' I shall not expose myself to this
criticism again. Few men sacrifice more than I do by absence
from home, as I have two large institutions in which persons are
occupied who are dependent on me for daily directions. But I
am not a poor man, and am free to admit that it was wrong to
charge a fee for conducting the temperance meetings. I will see
that the balance left in my pocket goes back into the good work in
Ohio.
“But let it not be forgotten that some most efficient and devoted
laborers now at work in Ohio and other portions of the West Be
dependent upon their daily labor for their daily bread. Nothing
would be more unjust and cruel than to ask these faithful friends
to work for nothing."
THE WORK IN CINCINNATI.
At the time this volume goes to press the women of
Cincinnati have entered, with much enthusiasm, upon
the great work of redeeming that city. Prayer meet-
ings of women, ministers, and business men, as well as
great mass-meetings, attended by both sexes, are daily
and nightly held. The Christian Women's Temper-
ance League is officered as follows:
For President, Mrs. Charles Ferguson; First Vice-President,
Mrs. W. H. Malone; Second, Mrs. M. B. Hagans; Third, Mrs. W.
H. Allen; Treasurer, Mrs. Dr. E. Williams; First Secretary, Mrs
E. Dalton; Second Secretary, Mrs. E. S. Johnson.
The city has been divided into the following districts
for the active work of visitation:
“Southeastern District-Boundaries: North Miami Canal;
east, Mount Adams; south, Ohio river; west, Central avenue.
Subdivisions of the Southeastern District :
1-Court and Canal, Elm street, Eighth street Central avenue.
2-Eighth, Elm, Fifth, Central avenue.
3—Fifth, Elm, Pearl, Central avenue.

APPENDIX.
117
4--Pearl, Elm, river, Central avenue.
5—Canal, Vine, Eighth, Elm.
6--Eighth, Vine, Fifth, Elm.
7-Fifth, Vine, Pearl, Elm.
8-Pearl, Vine, river, Elm.
94-Canal, Main, Eighth, Vine.
10-Eighth, Main, Fifth, Vine.
11-Fifth, Main, Pearl, Vine.
12-Pearl, Main, river, Vine.
13—Canal, Broadway, Eighth, Main.
14-Eighth, Broadway, Fifth, Main.
15—Fifth, Broadway, Pearl, Main.
16-Pearl, Broadway, river, Main.
17–Eggleston avenue, Broadway, Fifth.
18-Fifth, Pike, Pearl, Broadway.
19--Pearl, Pike, river, Broadway.
20—Fifth, Eggleston avenue, river, Broadway.
21–Gilbert avenue, Mount Adams, Observatory street, Eggleston
avenue.
22-Fifth and Observatory streets, reservoir, Ohio river, Eg-
gleston avenue.
The remainder of the city was divided into districts,
as are below described, and these districts are to be
subdivided in the same manner as is above shown for
the first district. The work of making this subdivision
was committed to Dr. Walden, by whom the district-
ing as above was also marked out on the map of the
city:
2. Southwestern District-Boundaries: Hopkins street, Central
avenue, Ohio limits, western limits.
3. Northwestern District--North of Hopkins street and west of
Miami canal.
4. Northeastern District-North and east of the Miami canal.
5. Mt. Auburn District-Mt. Auburn and Corryville.
6. Walnut Hills District-Walnut Hills, Woodburn, East Wal-
nut Hills, and west to limits of District No. 1.

118
APPENDIX.
7. Fulton District-Fulton, Pendleton, and Columbia.
8. Cumminsville District-Twenty-fifth Ward.
Friday, March 13th, was observed by the ladies of
Cincinnati and Columbus as a day of fasting and
prayer for the blessing of God upon the Women's
Temperance Movement in those cities.







(2
1874
Beadle, T.H. (John Hanson)