First Woman's National Temperance Convention

At this convention a constitution was adopted, and a plan of organization projected, which was to reach every city, town, and hamlet in the United States.

A national temperance paper, to be edited and published by women, was projected, whose financial basis was US$.01 per week, to be given by all the members of the Union.

Martha McClellan Brown, who became known as the "prime mover," and Mary Bigelow Ingham combined their efforts with those of Jennie Fowler Willing and Emily Huntington Miller.

Judith Ellen Foster, a lawyer from Iowa, served as chief of the Committee on Constitution, to set the attendees right on legal points in general.

They chose a committee on temporary organization, with one member from each State, which reported the following list of officers of the convention:[1] These women were duly elected.

"[1] After the committee on temporary organization was formed, the convention addressed itself to business and developed a list of committees indicating its general character:[1] Resolutions were adopted, embodying a sufficiently exhaustive "confession of faith":[1] Whereas, Much of the evil by which this country is cursed comes from the fact that the men in power whose duty it is to make and administer the laws are either themselves intemperate men or controlled largely by the liquor power; therefore, A constitution was adopted and stated in part that this Association shall be known as the "Woman's National Christian Temperance Union."

Crowds filled these meetings, and Crusade hymns were interspersed with the music furnished by trained singers of Cleveland.