Two Decades | Page 6

coffee-rooms be managed? What is their history?
Is it a part of woman's work in the temperance cause to attend to the enforcing of the license laws?
How can we arouse the young women to think as they never have upon this subject, and to realize that there is a practical obligation resting upon them?
How can we make professing Christians feel their responsibilities?
What is the most judicious way of awakening the clergy to more zealous effort in the cause of temperance, and securing the cooperation of the church as a body?
How can we work most effectually among the children?
Can domestic wines be made and used consistently by Christian women, or with safety to their families? Is it not encouraging intemperance?
Can we, as temperance women, use wine and cider for culinary purposes with consistency or safety?
[1] Afterward President of District of Columbia W.C.T.U. [2] Afterward President of New Jersey W.C.T.U.
Pending these discussions a constitution was drafted. This was adopted, and a state society called "The Christian Woman's State League" was formed.
The following officers were elected for the first year:
President--Mrs. Allen Butler, Syracuse.
Vice-Presidents--Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Brooklyn; Mrs. Helen E. Brown, New York; Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, Buffalo; Mrs. L. B. Ayers, Penn Yan; Mrs. B. F. Hall, Auburn.
Corresponding Secretary--Mrs. Dr. Greeley, Syracuse.
Recording Secretary--Mrs. Mary T. Burt, Auburn.
Treasurer--Mrs. T. S. Truair, Syracuse.
During the first year two quarterly meetings were held--one at Brooklyn in February, and one at Buffalo in May. At the Brooklyn meeting the constitution was somewhat modified, and the name changed to the present one--"The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State of New York."
The first legislative work of the society was the memorializing of President Grant and Governor Dix. This memorial was prepared by Mrs. B. C. Rude, of Wellsville, Miss M. E. Armstrong, of Fayetteville, and Mrs. M. B. O'Donnell, of Lowville.
FIRST MEMORIAL.
We, temperance women of the State of New York, in convention at Syracuse, deeply sensible that intemperance is a prevailing and corrupting power for evil, affecting the happiness and well-being of multitudes of all classes and conditions impotent to protect themselves from its influences, but citizens, all claiming the natural and lawful protection of our rulers and executors of our laws; that its pernicious influence in the home, by subverting every principle of right, is in the aggregate corrupting the entire national body, subverting the intent of our political institutions; and whereas petitioning is our only resort, we have petitioned our God, the Infinite Ruler, in your behalf, and now petition your excellency, in behalf of the temperance cause, that you appoint to positions in the civil service none but total abstinence men. All of which we most respectfully submit, and for which your petitioners will ever pray.
The memorial to Governor Dix was presented directly by the State League; that to President Grant was referred to the national society soon to be formed.
Twenty-two delegates were appointed to attend the convention called at Cleveland, Ohio, November 18, 19, and 20, 1874, for the purpose of organizing a national society. The State of New York was honored in this convention by the appointment of Mrs. Mary T. Burt as secretary of the organizing convention, and by the election of Mrs. Mary C. Johnson as recording secretary, and Mrs. Dr. Kenyon as one of the vice-presidents for the first year.
The following resolutions were adopted at the first meeting, and must have been drafted with a prophet's ken, as they have been largely fulfilled in the years that have passed:
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, Intemperance has become so widespread, permeating every class and condition of society, even from the sacred desk to the hovel, we hail with gratitude to God the many indications of the revival in the interest of temperance reform which exists in various portions of our country, and especially do we rejoice that the women have been awakened to the vast evils thereby entailed; and, relying upon divine guidance and support, we feel that the present time is particularly auspicious for that renewal and vigorous action on the part of friends of temperance which the exigencies of all so urgently demand; therefore,
Resolved, That we, the temperance women of the State of New York, do organize a state temperance league, in the belief that we can the better aid, encourage, and fortify each other in the suppression of this growing vice, and in the creation of a universal and moral sentiment for temperance and sobriety; and to this end there should be much earnest prayer for God's wisdom to direct, His power to insure success, linked with persistent personal effort.
Resolved, That it is our duty and privilege to stand firm in our example of total abstinence by abandoning the use of all intoxicants from our tables and from every department of domestic life.
Resolved, That, in the judgment of this convention, one of the great hopes