Frances E. Willard, In Her Own Words...

As part of Black History month, many organizations are promoting conversations concerning lynching and lynch law in America.

The word “lynching” brings to mind images of a black man hanging from a tree but many do not realize that people of all races in different parts of the world have been lynched in many different ways.

On October 29, 1897, Frances E. Willard, president of the World and National WCTU called the twenty-fourth convention of the WCTU to order in Buffalo, New York and delivered her annual address. As part of her address, she denounced lynching.

Music Hall where the WCTU held it's National Convention and Willard gave her speech.

Frances E. Willard, In Her Own Words…

“The President of the United States in his inaugural address spoke out strongly against lynching and some of our public men have urged the adoption of a law declaring that those who participate in lynching shall hold no public office. A similar law abolished dueling and would doubtless do more to put lynching under ban than any other method yet devised.

I feel sure we shall not weaken but if possible strengthen the resolution adopted without a dissenting vote last year, namely, “We declare ourselves unalterably opposed to lynching and all other lawless proceedings affecting white or colored people in our own or other countries,”

So far as I know, we are the only national society of women in the United States that has taken any position on the question, and I believe we shall have an undivided vote.”