The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-14
For the Organ Of the Temperance Reform.
BONNEVILLE, Ross Co., Ohio. !
Mnv 10 1880 Z

May lO, lo12.)
DEAR Sin The question often arises in
my mind, whether or no the friends of tenn
perauce will be able to wage a successful
war Of determination against the combined
powers of Bacehanalian hosts that are en-
camped in almost ever town and village in
the bounds of our wide spread domain. Is
the peace and welfare Of society, and the
happy homes Of thousands to be ieOpardi-
Zed by the continuance of laws and customs
that are fraught with the most fearful con-
sequences, to crafty the avaricious desires
of those engaged in the traffic of intoxca-
ting drinksY Have there not already been
victims enough sacrificed upon the altar of
intemperance, to arouse the sober and re-
hectlng portion Of community to renewed
efforts, to stay the tide of destruction that
has been SO fearfully prevalent in our land 2
Or shall we sink down dispirited, and let
the tide of intemperance, like a mighty
avalanche, bury its thousands under the
ruins brought in It's train 2 Such result
seems almost inevitable, when we turn our
eyes and address our prayers towards our
law making department..
1t does seem surprisingly strange that
men acting under the solemnity Of an oath,
and appealed to by the finest and noblest
feelings of humanity, for the enactment of
laws for the amelioratiOn of this unfortu-
nate class Of society, that members should
shrink from a duty that is so imperatively
demanded, not only by their constituents
but from every feeling Of humanity.
Are the enemies of temperance so formi.
dable, as TO hold in awe our Representatives
or are they natural Iallies, pledged to sup-
port each others INTEREST," Has wire-work-
ing and self-aggrandizement become para
mount to every other consideration If so,
the friends Of temperance have but little
hope to expect any Legislative enactment,
to forward the interest of the temperance
cause, so long as such men are chosen and
elevated to positions Of trust and response
bility. Does not experience teach that no
thing short Of determination will ever effect
the object in view? So long as ardent spirits
are sold under the sanction of law, for any
thing else than medicinal and mechanical
purposes, the work of death will increase,
for since the lion has been bearded in his
den he has grown more bold and only re-
sorts to more subtle articles to entrench and
fortify his calling. If there ever was
time when the temperance army were called
upon TO discipline their troops and enlist
for the war, now is the time. But let a re.
action take place in our ranks and the
enemy gain an advantage over us, defeat
will ensue, and we will have to witness the
modification attending so disastrous a re-
suit, beside the untold miseries that would
finally, and perhaps forever be fastened upon
posterity. In view of the weighty and i'm
portant interest enveloped in this subject,
every friend of humanity should feel called
upon to take a firm and decisive stand, and
when our Representatives shall assemble
again, give them such unmistakable evil
dences Of our wants, that they will be
constrained TO grant our prayers, or in their
rejection exhibit to the world that they are
peuured, and deserved to be classed below
the friends they would feign protect in
their unholy calling. Il. P. NJ.