Two Decades

t soon became apparent that the methods of the crusade could not be continued indefinitely; that in order to strengthen and perpetuate the work already begun organization was necessary. This sentiment prevailed in the State of New York, and many local societies, bearing various names, had already been formed.

The initiatory for a state organization was taken by the Woman's Temperance Union of Syracuse, which, at a meeting held September 10, 1874, decided to call a state convention of all women's temperance organizations, to be held at Syracuse in October, preparatory to the great national convention which was to be held in November. A central committee of five was appointed to make all necessary arrangements, and on September 19th was issued the following:

CALL.

The Syracuse Woman's Temperance Union respectfully invite the working temperance women throughout the state to meet in convention in this city on the 14th day of October, at nine o'clock A. M., at the First Methodist Church, for the purpose of organizing a state temperance league, and to appoint delegates to the national convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, November next.

It is hoped that every town and city in the state will be represented. All newspapers are requested to give the above an insertion and a local notice, and all ministers are desired to read it from their desks.

Delegates are requested to notify the secretary of their intention to be present by the both of October, and places of entertainment will be provided. A committee of reception will be in waiting at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, 16 South Salina street, on Tuesday evening, and at the church on Wednesday morning.

MRS. ALLEN BUTLER.

MRS. R.A. ESMOND.

MRS. E.B. STEVENS.

MRS. T.S. TRUAIR.

MRS. SAMUEL THURBER,

Secretary Central Committee.

Pursuant to the above call, at nine o'clock A.M. of October 14, 1874, a large gathering of earnest women from various parts of the state assembled at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Syracuse, for the purpose of discussing the great interests of the temperance cause and plan for its future advancement.

The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Allen Butler, of Syracuse, who was made temporary chairman, with Mrs. S. Thurber and Miss A.L. Didama as secretaries.

The permanent organization was perfected by the election of the following officers:

President-Mrs. Helen E. Brown, New York City.

Vice-Presidents-Mrs. Allen Butler, Syracuse; Mrs. George Case, Sodus; Mrs. L.B. Ayers, Penn Yan.

Secretary-Mrs. N.B. Foot, Rome.

Assistant Secretaries-Mrs. S. Thurber, Syracuse; Miss A.L. Didama, Syracuse.

The following reported and were registered as delegates, although many others were present and participated in the deliberations:

FIRST CONVENTION.

DELEGATES TO FIRST MEETING.

Allegany County. Mrs. T.B. Stowell, Cortland.

Mrs. B.C. Rude, Wellsville. Mrs. Day, Cortland.

Mrs. Dr. Green, Cortland.

Broome County. Mrs. E.L. Knight, Homer.

Mrs. H.R. Clark, Binghamton. Mrs. P. Barber, Homer.

Mrs. J.H. Parsons, Binghamton.

Mrs. L.C. Phillips, Binghamton. Erie County.

Mrs. L.M. Kenyon, Buffalo.

Cayuga County.

Mrs. Mary T. Burt, Auburn. Herkimer County.

Mrs. George Letchworth, Auburn. Mrs. L. Colton, Ilion.

Mrs. James Seymour, Auburn. Mrs. M.J. Buck, Ilion.

Mrs. C.W. Boyce, Auburn. Mrs. M.E. Perkins, Ilion.

Mrs. B.F. Hall, Auburn. Mrs. Albert Baker, Ilion.

Mrs. Dr. Wilkie, Auburn. Mrs. M.S. Angel, Ilion.

Mrs. Jennie M. Pierson, Auburn.

Mrs. William Donovan, Weedsport. Kings County.

Mrs. T.B. Foote, Weedsport. Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Brooklyn.

Mrs. J. Gould, Weedsport. Mrs. Mary Richardson, Brooklyn.

Mrs. Susan Fox, Weedsport. Mrs. Geo. W. Thomas, Brooklyn.

Chautauqua County. Lewis County.

Mrs. Esther McNeil, Fredonia. Mrs. M.B. O'Donnell, Lowville.

Mrs. H. C. Lake, Fredonia. Mrs. H.F. Lanfear, Lowville.

Chemung County. Livingston County.

Mrs. Ransom Pratt, Elmira. Mrs. McMahon, Lima.

Mrs. Cleevis, Elmira.

Madison County.

Clinton County. Mrs. Dr. Jarvis, Canastota.

Mrs. George Bixby, Plattsburg.

Monroe County.

Cortland County. Mrs. E.A. Nelson, Rochester.

Mrs. J.S. Squires, Cortland. Miss S.J. Vosburg, Rochester.

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New York County. Mrs. C.W. Allis, Skaneateles.

Mrs. H.E. Brown, New York. Mrs. J.P. Clark, Obisco.

Mrs. R.P. Penfield, New York.

Orleans County.

Oneida County. Mrs. E.G. Gillett, Medina.

Mrs. M.M. Northrup, Utica.

Mrs. George Westcott, Utica. Oswego County.

Mrs. Peter Stryker, Rome. Mrs. E.A. Cooper, Fulton.

Mrs. N.B. Foot, Rome. Mrs. J. Miller, Fulton.

Mrs. O.C. Cole, Clinton. Mrs. George Goodier, Oswego.

Mrs. Francis Brown, Oswego.

Ontario County. Mrs. C.T. Bishop, Oswego.

Mrs. A. Petit, Gorham. Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, Oswego.

Mrs. E.G. Townsend, Geneva.

Mrs. E.W. Herendeen, Geneva. Seneca County.

Mrs. Adaline King, Geneva. Mrs. S.M. Metcalf, Seneca Falls.

Mrs. J.G. Gracey, Clifton Springs. Miss Emma Allen, Seneca Falls.

Mrs. T.J. Bissell, Phelps.

Tioga County.

Onondaga County. Mrs. L. Curtis, Waverly.

Mrs. Alien Butler, Syracuse.

Mrs. R.A. Esmond, Syracuse. Tompkins County.

Mrs. T.S. Truair, Syracuse. Mrs. S. Whitlock, Ithaca.

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

Mrs. J.P. Griffin, Syracuse.

Mrs. S. Thurber, Syracuse. Wayne County.

Mrs. George Greeley, Syracuse. Mrs. William H. Carkey, Clyde.

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

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

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

Miss A.L. Didama, Syracuse.

Miss M.E. Armstrong, Fayetteville. Yates County.

Mrs. M. Gage, Fayetteville. Mrs. L.B. Ayers, Penn Yan.

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

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

FRATERNAL DELEGATES.

Mrs. T.K. Church, Washington, D.C.[1]

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

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

Miss Mary Dunlap, Newark, N.J.

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

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

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.

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

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

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

How can we make professing Christians feel their responsibilities?

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

How can we work most effectually among the children?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The sweet gale, or Dutch myrtle, grows in moorland fens. It is a humble plant, but fragrant; where it grows abundantly the miasma of the bog is neutralized by its balsamic odors and antiseptic qualities, disease is displaced and health established. So the sweet fragrance of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State of New York, planted at Syracuse, has been carried by prayer and faith to all New York, "giving beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

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

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

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Mrs. Allen Butler

MRS. ALLEN BUTLER.

(FIRST PRESIDENT)

Lucy Wood was born in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York, in 1820. Her educational advantages were those offered by the public schools of her native county. Having decided musical tastes she improved the opportunities offered at the city of Albany for their cultivation, early dedicating her gift of song to the causes she loved. She became a Christian when thirteen years old, and by a long and useful Christian life has adorned her profession. In 1841 she was united in marriage with Allen Butler, and soon after removed to Syracuse, then a village of about six thousand inhabitants. During her life of more than half a century in Syracuse she has been identified with many of the Christian and benevolent institutions of the city, as well as those of her own church, to which she is devotedly attached.

Frail in health, her interest in a cause often exceeded the strength to work for it. This was the apparent condition of things when the crusade with whirlwind power swept over the land. A life-long advocate of total abstinence, her interest in the cause could not be restrained, and gently her Heavenly Father led her in this work, first to a little gathering of temperance women, at which, after much importunity, she conducted the exercises. Some months later she became the chosen leader of these women. It was from this consecrated band, over the signature of Mrs. Butler with others, that the call for the first state convention of temperance women was made.

Who more appropriately than she could call that convention to order? And when the State League, afterwards the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was organized, it was no surprise that Mrs. Allen Butler was elected president, a position she retained for five years. These were years of anxiety but of great advancement in temperance. This was due not only to her thorough consecration and marked executive ability, but to a life-long experience in other public enterprises, all of which she brought to the temperance work.

She was present at Cleveland and assisted in organizing the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Through feebleness of body she has been laid aside from active public work, but always as a member of a local union has felt the heartbeat of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of New York State. At the "home-coming" in Syracuse in 1893, to celebrate our twentieth anniversary, Mrs. Butler was present. A Chautauqua salute greeted her upon presentation. After looking over the large gathering she solemnly said, "What hath God wrought?"

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