Democratic banner., 1848-05-22

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nation most, are those who are excluded.
We reply that we admit younger persons
than any other similar institution, and to
admit Younger than we do would be to en-
danger our existence; for legislation is in
the hands of all, and of this the young are
not capable. There is also auxiliary insti-
tuition, the Cadets of Temperance, consist
ing of boys between twelve and eighteen,
and under the supervision of a Worthy Pat
ron chosen from among the Sons. As TO
the rejection of immoral persons, we plead
guilty. But we do not take the word in so
wide a sense as our Director does. The
drunkard may be an honest, reputable man.
If so, he is not, in our dialect, immoral
He is the very man we want. But we re-
Ipel Indignantly the assertion that the poor
find not a place among us. The upright,
honest man, however humble his position,
is Welcome for integrity with us is o gilmore
price than silver or gold. And poor indeed
must be the man who cannot pay the fee
and dues. Yet there are a few, and but
few such cases of extreme poverty. But |
have never known a man to make his case
known whose necessity was not met. The
Order cannot exist, especially as a benefi-
cial institution, without funds. Deprive it
of its fees and dues and you destroy one of
its most essential attributes, and go far to-
wards rendering it inefficient as its prede-
~cessors were.
We think then the objection is answered.
Persons are admitted at as early an age as
they may be safely, and fo1 the very young
there is an auxiliary institution answering
every purpose during minority. The poor
are cordially received. Only the vicious
and unprinclPled are rejected, and We pro-
test against receceiving a viper into our
bOSoms.
But the spirit in which objections are
sometimes urged shows very plainly what
the matter is. They are enemies to the
and they would rather the drunkard
should not be reformed than that the Sons
should prosper.
But we heed them not. We have con-
Germs OF too momentous a nature to accom-
Plish to admit Of our parieying. But we
have a word for another; the man of sober
habits who stands aloof because he needs
not reforming, and it can consequently do
him no good. Do you live for yourself
alone? Then are you no man. 1t is not
merely for our individual bcnel; that we
enter into this glorious institution, but that
we may with the greater facility benefit
others. \ successful Temperance Reform
is in progress, and it does seem TO nc that
every genuine philanthropist must identify
himself with it. Every man who is not a
Son cxcrts at least a negative influence a.
gainst it. ale who is not for us is against
us"
Son OF Temperance thy work is before
thee. Thy brother perisheth! fly to his
rescue. He is fallen! raise him. Let none
say, | have nothing to DO. Each can do
wonders. In the conflict between evil and
good thou art marshalled on the side of good.
Let every Son of Temperance be a host!
In the worlds wide field of battle,
In the bivouac of lie,
BE not like dumb driven cattle, |,
BE Il hero in the strife!
What though the torch of war light not
thy path to fame? What though thou may
es: leave no blnod-red footprint on the des-
EFT rocks of time, to all those who shall
come after, that thou hast lived, and tri-
umphed9 1t may be that thy Individual
will not be transmitted to the future.
But thou art identified with an institution
too full of energy not to he immortal, and
too noble not to be honored. Let it be tIly !
ambition to add lustre to the glorious insti- -,
tuition. Then the place of thy soiournire
shall be an oasis in the desert of life, and !
thy work shall strike from the rock the =
sire am that will pornetuata tic y.rJrra