New York Herald - Saturday, May 4, 1895

MRS. GRANNIS AND QUEENSBERRY.
She Thanked Him for What He Did, and Now He Thanks Her.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEAS.
He Is Especially Gratified That Texas Is Concerning Itself About Moral Questions.

Mrs. Elisabeth B. Grannis read at last Saturday's meeting of the National Christian League for Social Purity a letter which she had just received from the Marquis of Queensberry. This letter was written in answer to one sent by Mrs. Grannis in her character as president of the league, and was evidently written as one man to another, Mrs. Grannis having signed herself by her initials only, and the reply being begun with "Dear Sir."

Mrs. Grannis' own letter, which she also read, was as follows:

NEW YORK, April 8, 1895.
MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY, London, England:

MY DEAR SIR It would be impossible for me to write you a letter expressing any adequate sympathy which every righteous man and woman must experience in his or her heart for you in your consuming sorrow over the shameful injury done your son.

It is certainly my privilege and duty to send you a line expressing the sincere gratitude of the national organization of which I am the presiding officer.

You may not be a self-appointed, willing missionary to serve the cause of person and social purity, still you deserve congratulation from every right minded parent in Europe and America for your persistent, manly courage, sparing not your own family in your effort to serve the cause and the human race.

In our regular business meeting, the last Saturday of this month. Mr. Wilde's case will be brought before the meeting for expression of earnest thought concerning much of similar evil which has reached even to this city. It is high time that a righteous, merciful law should be enacted for the punishment of similar criminals as Mr. Wilde, which shall make it impossible for him to corrupt other young men.

Our colleges and prisons have sent out many shameful and shameless examples to degrade the innocent youth of the land.

I send you by this mail a copy of the Church Union, which I have carried financially and editorially for over twenty-one years. Also the last annual report of the Christian League, and two or three leaflets. I realize you may never have time to look at them, while hundreds of our members will read with intense interest the sad but noble service you are rendering our city as well as London!

Faithfully and gratefully yours.
E. B. GRANNIS.

In answer to this the Marquis of Queensberry wrote somewhat at length. He said in part:

CARTER'S HOTEL,
14 AND 15 ALBERMARLE STREET. W.
April 20, 1895.

MESSRS. GRANNIS, Christian Purity League.

DEAR SIRS I have not attempted to reply to the great number of letters I have received but to hands stretched across the sea from your great country, and many have done so.

I wish to respond and to thank you for your kind sympathy: that human sympathy has much supported me in a very painful ordeal.

I received only yesterday a most interesting pamphlet on the subject.

It is something that this matter is being thought about and discussed, even in a far off land such as Texas is.

Thanking you and your national organization for your kind message, yours faithfully.

QUEENSBEERRY.

The letter having been read and commented upon by Mrs. Grannis, a general discussion of the matter in hand followed. Resolutions were finally passed that Dr. de Costa and Mr. Aaron Powell be asked to present to the Legislature at Albany a bill to be drafted by the league providing a summary punishment for similar misdemeanors in New York state.