NBWTA Report 1903-024
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43 42 The letter was as follows :— “My Dear Frienps,—I utter my to write visit to inability that tell you Manchester. My I deeply regret forbid it, and doctors Although some such announcement had been feared by some members of the Committee who were aware of the President’s state of health, it came a I realize myself that my health will not permit it. “My heart is very heavy, because I have to give you news w ic ‘ a grief to me, and which, I believe, will be a pain to some of you roa of retaining it is, that, instead year, as I had intended seem almost were office the of President this I re-elected coming for re ee but to submit, quis May, send in my resignation a year sooner, and ask you now to nonyee e another President for the coming year. As I write these words they bound us. unreal, so long and so firmly ties the have of years I have found among you my friends and my comrades in with you. pa work, and I do not believe that the world has ever produced loyal, devoted co-operation than I have received in the Bri ae But from the hour in whic Women’s Temperance Association. took upon myself the responsibility of accepting your election me President, I have steadfastly set my face against the possibility o holding that office as a sinecure. I have not believed in figureheads, I do not care who it is that stands nor shall I ever believe in them. ae at the head of a great body of men or women, I hold that, in ing such an office, it is absolutely necessary to accept the work t i goes with it; and during the fourteen years that we have laboure together, I know, that you will believe that I have endeavoured to I can write as it, words written are have attended me, Therefore, I must easier words than spoken; and, in concluding this letter, I can only add that, as ft turn over the pages of an old diary, I find these words, written in amps ‘I never felt responsibility press more heavily, for to be noeeties in it by so many good and true is an incentive to well-doing, though To be allowed to guide the plough of the humbles oné to the dust. British Women’s Temperance Association through the furrows of reform means to me that I must try and keep a straight walk in the path of life.’ “ The words that were written thus many years ago are as true to-day, and for all that you have been to ever affectionate and meant to I me ; thank you from my heart. * Your me Friend and President, “TsSaABEL SOMERSET. to most of them, and was received with a but it was realized that the loss to the Association was sympathy and affection ; It was also carried by a rising vote that a strong resolution of sorrow and sympathy embodying more fully the feelings of the Committee should be sent. This resolution when drafted was as follows :— believe that it is God’s will that I should not, as heretofore, lead your Society. I know that many of your generous hearts will express a desire, that I should retain office, but accept rest; but I should like affectionately but firmly to say that this would be utterly The principle is too deeply rooted in my mind ioe impossible. work and responsibility must remain undivided, for it to be possib e to contemplate any such arrangement, even should you desire it. “Tam almost glad that I have not to say this to you face to face, that blow “Unspeakable sorrow at your letter, deepest our prayers and love are with you.” It is now impossible for me to disguise the fact take my fair share. an I cannot be that I shall not in the future be able to do this. ded upon to keep engagements as heretofore; I cannot be certain ° being able to preside at the Executive Meetings, or to Brien aes be I trust and believe that I may still stantly at large gatherings. able to serve the Temperance cause, and from time to time i address meetings, and to put in my little quota: of work; but I have spoken seriously, not only to my cannot be reckoned upon. but a one that could not be measured. Mrs. Lamb and others voiced the feelings of all when they spoke of the great blessing and help Lady Henry Somerset had been to the Association, and of the continual inspiration she had been to each one individually, and it was felt that the debt of gratitude we owe to her for all her years of faithful and untiring service was one we could never repay. Earnest hopes were expressed by many that, although we were compelled in the providence of God to let her go for the present, yet that rest and freedom from care for a year or two would so far restore her health that she might be able at some future time to resume the Presidency. It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that the following telegram be forwarded to the President at once :— Some of the happiest times of my life have been spent own doctor, but to the consulting physicians who and they all agree that I must face the situation. as sorrow that at first could not find expression in words. Some who rose to speak were unable to proceed, and those who did speak said what they had to say through tears. It was felt that under the circumstances of the serious state of the President’s health, there was nothing to do “That this Committee desires to express its profound and heartfelt Sorrow that the beloved President of the Association, Lady Henry Somerset, owing to the state of her health, feels herself unable to accept nomination as President for the coming year. The Com- mittee, on behalf of the Association, wishes to place on record its conviction that the services Lady Henry Somerset has rendered to the cause of reform during her whole-hearted and statesmanlike leadership, and, yet more, the uplifting influence of her personality, have been a gift to all womanhood, and a continual inspiration to those who have had the privilege of her comradeship during her fourteen years of office. And the Committee fervently hopes that her health in the course of time will be sufficiently restored to enable her again to resume the office of President.” A discussion followed as to the best steps to be taken crisis, but no decision was arrived at. In the April seconded :—- meeting the following resolution in the present was moved and “That the office of President of the N.B.W.T.A. remain vacant for the coming year, and that during that time the acting Vice-President, elected or appointed at the Annual Council meeting, act as Chairman of Committees.” After some Mrs. Wilson discussion this was withdrawn on the ground N,E.C. would not be in order in passing such a resolution. that the Jones spoke of the great importance of still keeping up |