GREAT DEMONSTRATION AT THE ALBERT HALL.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 August 1895, Page 2

GREAT DEMONSTRATION AT THE ALBERT HALL.

The Polyglot Petition. Even in the Albert Hall, which has been the scene of many great and picturesque demonstrations, no larger or more striking assemblage has been witnessed than that which gave welcome to the world's delegates attending the third biennial convention of the World’s Women’s Christian 'Temperance Union. The day had been a busy one. At Queen s Hall a long series of resolutions —all of which had doubtless been debated in countless branches of the union throughout the world—received unanimous approval, among them being a demand for adequate protection for Armenian Christians, a denunciation of “ lynching, at all times and anywhere,” a strong opinion

on the opium question, and a call upon the Government to regard as “ its first duty ” the repeal ot the Contagious Diseases Acts in India. I he convention also declared that right-minded people should carefully consider the condition of public morals revealed in the recent trial of a well-known wright ; and expressed its condemnations ot the “ sex novel ” and “ the prevailing style of fashionable dress.” — Mrs Ingells (Chicago) denounced the universal use of tobacco, another delegate deplored the habit of snuff-taking among girls of the Southern State, and a third made serious allegations against certain almshouses in America. It was announced that a “ Somerset Fountain.” similar to that erected by the children of the World s W.C.T.U. at Chicago, was shortly to be erected on the Victoria Embankment. Miss Willard having offered to apply the /600 testimonial presented to her to the use of the “ Round the World Missionary Movement,” strong objection was taken to such a self denying disposal of the money, and a collection (realising was taken towards providing otherwise for the international missionaries. In the afternoon, at the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress received the delegates, who heartily enjoyed this exhibition of civic hospitality. Lord Mayor Renals said that of all the functions he had had to discharge cn behalf of the City of London none had given him greater pleasure than to greet our “ kinswomen ’ from over sea who were engaged in the great work of uplifting humanity. Elaborate preparations had been made at the Albert Hall for the “grand international demonstration.” Over 12,000 tickets were distributed, and not an inch of space was wasted, but literally thousands of applications for admission had to be refused. Mr H. J. Osborn, with 100 voluntary stewards, conducted the delegates and visitors to their seats. The United White Ribbon Choir of 800 voices, under the direction of Mr A. L. Cowley (Music Director to the School Board for London), in their blue print frocks and white satin sashes iooked very effective in the upper orchestra. A string band assisted; and Mr J. F. Proudman, b. C. 0., presided at the organ. Round the hall and at the foot of the platform was displayed the great Polyglot Petition with its 7,000,000 signatures. The opening ceremonies included a long and imposing procession, led by the entrance of Lady Henry Somerset, Miss Frances E. Willard, Miss Agnes E. W ; eston, and Madame Antoinette Sterling, escorted by a body-guard of men of the Royal Navy. Following these through the arena came delegations (some in uniform and others wearing regalia) representing the United

Kingdom Band of Hope Union, t nited Kingdom Alliance, Methodist Temperance organisations, the Congregational lotal Abstinence Association, the New Church Temperance Society, Friends Temperance Union, London Wesleyan Mission, National Temperance League, Anglo-Indian Temperance Association, St Mary’s Training Home for Girls, London Tern* perance Hospital, Gospel d emperance Army, Sons of Temperance, Kechabites, Original Grand Phoenix Order, United Phoenix Order, Catholic Total Abstinence League and Independent Order of Good Templars. The General Post Office Temperance Society was represented by a delegation ot men in uniform. Teetotal policemen, teetotal fireman, and teetotal soldiers also took part in the procession, their appearance being greeted vyith much cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. After them came representatives in costume the flags of countries in which the W.C.T.U. is organised—namely, China, India, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan, Africa, Egypt, Madagascar, Madeira, Finland, Bulgaria, Greece, Bahamas, Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, Holland, Denmark, Canada, South America, Mexico, Spain, France. Germany, America, and, of course, the United Kingdom. It is enough to say of the picturesque costumes worn by the young ladies representing these countries that they are, unfortunately, not now generally in use, if they ever were. W hile the groups, numbering in all nearly a thousand persons, passed to their seats, various national anthems were played, and the choir vociferously sang the World’s Woman’s hymn, “ All round the world the ribbon white is twined, to the stirring and familiar strains of “ I oor Old Joe.” Prayer was said standing, the vast audience following the clear resonant voice of the Dean of Hereford in the universal Pater Noster. . . Lady Henry Somerset, in her address Oi welcome to the delegates, said that theirs was a cause which knew no distinction of nationality, because it was the cause of God Himself. The first president of the W r orld s Women s Christian Temperance Union, Mrs Margaret Bright Lucas —(cheers)— had put a cable of love and loyalty between our hearts and those of women in distant lands. Round them they saw the great petition, with its 7,000,000 signatures, which gave them heart of hope and courage to go forward. W hat they asked of the awakened w r on an was that she should be the enfranchised woman, and of the new woman that she should be the true woman. (Loud cheers) On this glad day they felt that they

were seeking a new heaven and a new earth, with a new man and a n w woman—and an organised motherhood which was destined to redeem humanity. When Madame Antoinette Sterling had sung “ The Gift ” (Behrens) to the delighted audience, Miss Agnes W eston, with her bodyguard of bluejackets, received a great ovation as she demon strated tne “ safe moorings ” of teetotalism in the Royal 'Xavy. She also took occasion to present a number of si 'vr medals to non-commissioned officers of high character for temperance. The ceremony was unexpected, but not unacceptable, to a gathering which was evidently much in sympathy with her great work as “ Mother of the Navy.” Canon Wilberforce said that, on such an occasion, they must recall the text “ The Lord shall sell Sisera into the hands of a woman. ’ When once the women came to the front it was absolutely impossible to resist them. At last the female brethren of the race (laughter) —had risen, and when once they had the power by their votes of influencing humanity against its greatest curse they could not be withstood. From his heart he welcomed them and wished them “ Godspeed.” (Cheers.) After moving a resolution relative to the Local Option Bill, Sir Wilfred Lawson said that he hoped before the meeting was over Lady Henry Somerset, if she could not give him a medal, would, at any rate give him an old-age pension. (Laughter). But he was not so old as to be unable to share the enthusiasm of that meeting and to give a cordial greeting to their sisters from all parts of the world. The United Kingdom Alliance, of which he had the honour to be president, declared opposition to all that “ debased the moral currency ” —in the words of Lord Acton’s recent wonderful lecture. It gave them great pleasure to know that their principles had been endorsed by the leaders of the Government of this country, and especially by Sir William Harcourt —(loud cheers) —who by that act had endeared himself to the best of the working classes of England. Sir W illiam Harcourt had been firm in spite of all the interests, driven to desperation, of the liquor traffic and despite the doubts of the fearful and the faithless among his own party. The fight must go on until the day of triumph cpmes (Cheers). With much enthusiasm, after being seconded by Mr J. H. Raper, the resolution was put to the meeting by Lady Henry Somerset, and carried. Miss Frances Willard, in the course of a brief response, said that she hoped the Polyglot Petition would help on the Local Option Bill. It weighed i,7301b., and was eight miles in length, but if three

signatures had been allowed to the inch it would have extended to forty miles. Of the signatures 700,000 were those of American women, and 500,000 of British women.

National representatives from foreign countries were then introduced, and resolutions endorsing the Polyglot Petition were carried by acclamation.