W.C.T.U.

W.C.T.U. Women's Christian Temperance Union Influential organization founded by white Evangelical Christian (mostly Protestant) women dedicated to creating a "sober and pure" world through moral reform and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and all things harmful. Largest women's organization of it's time; membership in the US in 1910 was over 245,000 and growing. This group of first-wave feminists was not integrated and would not have welcomed the support of the (negro) Deacon, especially since this self-styled man-about-town who was still "recovering" from their parade was most likely a drinker and did not embrace the WCTU's practice of temperance. []

TSAF (98) Quentin tells the Deacon he saw him in a parade the other day, poking fun at his taking every opportunity to dress up and promote himself. Deacon highlights his importance in the community, explaining that "//the boys likes to have me with them, the vet'runs does" and "Ladies wants all the old vet'runs to turn out ... So I has to oblige them//." Quentin quips "//You were obliging the W.C.T.U. then, I reckon.//" The exchange supports Deacon's adaptation to and participation in the evolving culture of the northern city he has migrated to, winks at Deacon's lack of temperance and participation in the white women's WCTU parade, and highlights Quentin's racist, elitist undertones of disdain for this new world order.