The Boston Protest.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 March 1896, Page 1

The Boston Protest.

We have always looked on Boston as the Athens of America. It is therefore somewhat of a shock to read that the Boston W.C.T.U., in a spirit of narrowness and bigotry unworthy of a city that claims to be the centre of the culture and learning of the Great Republic, protested against the friendly attitude adopted by Miss Willard and other s towards Roman Catholic temperance workers a* the National Convention in Baltimore. Surely if there is :o be any tolerance for religious opinion on this earth it should be found among the descendants of those who founded the City of Boston, because they were denied that tolerance in their old home. And surely if there is to be any joining of hands for the overthrow of King Alcohol it should be found in the city whose founders were in the forefront of a federation for the overthrowing of a political tyranny much less harmful and hateful. Fortunately our chief was equal to the occasion. After giving a short history of the fraternal relations between the W.C.T.U. and our Roman Catholic brethren and sisters, Miss Willard reminded the Boston Union that “ the W.C.T.U. is not a church ; it is a Temperance Union ; it has no creed, but a declaration of principles. Among its rally cries are these : ‘No sectarianism in religion, no sectionalism in politics, no sex in citizenship.’ ” In conclusion, she says: “If Catholic or Protestant, Jew or Gentile will come to us as fraternal message-bearers or as working allies upon this sacred platform, let us not only clasp their friendly hands, but go more than half way to welcome them to the broad outlook and blessed fellowship of a Union that has the home for its centre, harmony for its watchword, and the happiness of all for its heavenappointed goal. ’