The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Wednesday, June 15, 1898. The Acting President of the World’s Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

White Ribbon, Volume 3, Issue 36, 1 June 1898, Page 6

The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Wednesday, June 15, 1898. The Acting President of the World’s Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

Lady Henry Somerset has been called to her high and responsible position under circumstances of the most saddening and depressing character. In feeble health, bowed by the knowledge of a mistake which called forth a

storm of disapproval—a mistake which she has frankly and publicly acknowledged as such —and heart-broken by the severance of one of the most rare and beautiful of friendships, Lady Henry must have the deepest sympathy ofeveiy true-hearted woman. To ta*:e up the reins let fall from such hands as those of Frances W illard would be a trying ordeal for any woman. But to take them up w ith < yes blinded with tears, with a heart bruised by harsh criticism, and with a feeling of insufficient physical strength, requires the courage of a heroine, and calls for the loyal and loving support of every white ribboner. We have felt for some time that justice has not been done to Lady I Jenry Somerset. It has been with pain that we have received from time to time leaflets and pamphlets directed not so much against her statements as against Lady Henry herself. Her years tf hard work, the thousands of pounds she has spent in loyal service, seem all forgotten. The printing press has been lavishly used by women good and devoted, doubtless, but, it seems to us, narrow and harsh in judgment—to prove that Lady Henry Somerset was unworthy of her position. We do not forget her blunder in connection with the Indian Cantonments, a blunder which we deplore as deeply as does Lady Henry herself. But it was a blunder of the head and net of the heart. In what she said Lady Somerset was actuated by conscientious motives, and no sooner was she convinced that she had spoken with insufficient knowledge, than she nobly made a public retractation of her words. The British Women’s Temperance Association, a hundred thousand strong, showed its confidence in her by re-elect-ing her as President. Frances Willard, ar.d indeed all who knew her intimately, never faltered in

theii : ?elief in her. Josephine Butler herse’f never questioned the purity and integrity of Lady Henry's motives. It is to be hojv*d that undet the softening influences 01 Miss Willard's death, the malcontents will drop their hitter hostility, and loyally work with one so sadly called to l>e our Leader. Our New Zealand Union is hut an outpost. But expressions of sympathy and loyalty from outlying regions even may i>e comforting and helpful, and in offering them to the 44 World’s ” President, we are sure that a correct interpretation is given of the feeling in the hearts of our New Zealand White Kihl>oners.