The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-05

only nOmlnally bllVey IOt q long ulnS
before the surrender Of their charter,
On the whole, | believe we have every
reason to feel confidence in the stabh-
ity of our Order. The great apparent
success, which Characterized the in
PRODUCTION Of the Order into this State,
and its very rapid extension, followed
by a consequent decline, has, with
many, given rise to feeling of dis
couragement, with regard to its future
prospects. But If we survey the field
as it is, not as it nOminally has been,
we have every reason for encourage
ment. Our Order is now mainly
made up of true, tried men, who love
the cause, and labor for its advance
ment, because they thus love it.
If we look at the labor already ac-
complished, in disseminating temper
ance principles, and cultivating and
developing a current public sentiment
in regard to the sale and use of intox-
icating liquors as beverage, we have
still greater reason for encouragement.
The seed has been sown which is to
bear abundant fruit, to bless our peo-
pie. Without the influence which has
been exerted by the Sons of Temper
ance, during the time which has
elapsed since its organization, the tenn
perance reform must have very materi-
ally lost ground. The Washingtonian
Societies were, at that time, disband-
ing, and the excitement produced by
their praiseworthy labors, dying away,
Our Order came upon the arena
changed temporary excitement into
the conviction of a principle, and
planting its standard in the van of the
conflict, has maintained all the ground
that had been won, and continued to
advance steadily and surely until now,
the final issue upon which depends the
destruction or continuance of the liquor
traffic, is boldly and fairly made.
Public sentiment now demands this
issue few years ago, even the most
ardent friends of temperance would
have shrunk from making it. In this
fact, we may discover the great inhu-
ence which has been exerted by the |
Order. And who shall say that it has
been barren of good results in other
respects? How many have, through
its benign influence, been delivered
from the drunkard's almost hopeless
state, to the paths of sobriety, virtue,
respectability and happiness? How
many mourning families have been
made happy by the return of the hus.
band and father to sobriety, through
the influence of the Sons of Temper
ance? If we had accomplished no
more than this, we should not have
labored in vain, nor would our work
have returned to us void. "The bless.
ings of him that was ready to perish"
are upon our Order. The liquor seller
may curse US, but the fervent prayers
of grateful hearts for our success, are
ascending from thousands Of happy
homes, once desolated by intemper-
ance. The humble prayer will be
heard and needed in the courts Of
the Eternal-the curse returned upon
the head Of tbs utterer.
l deem it fitting that | should thus
refer in general terms, to the result off
our labors, because we are too apt to
measured our success by the number
of our Divisions, and the amount of
money in our treasury; and when the
former is not rapidly increasing, and
the latter accumulating, to Judge that
our labors are vain. 1t is not for the
extension of the Order as a primary
object, that we are laboring. This is
but an incidental object, to give US the
means to extend the triumphs of our
cause, and propagate our principles.
And this is the true test of our sue
cess, and Judging by this standard, no
one ought to be discouraged. IT, as is
really the case, with our present re-
duced numbers, we are efecting more
for the cause, than when our number
was larger, we are really better and
more efficient temperance organiza-
ton than we ever were then. Let
none, then, feel disheartened, but in
spired by past success, press onward
in our work. This work is now before
us. 1t is not a field for dreamy en-
thusiasm, or theoredc speculation, but
rather one for practical, active, and
energetic, determined effort. The
Maine Liquor Law must be enacLed in
Ohio. 1t is not mere question of
expediency, whether we shall have
this law or MOTT is not, as most of
the political questions of the day, one
sounding in mere dollars and cents !;
but it involves the character, health,
social, moral and pecuniary interests
of thousands of this and succeeding
generations of men. The duration of
life, the amount of crime, the preva-
lence or absence of poverty and want,
are all, to great extent, depending
on the decision of which shall be given
in regard to this question for intem-
perance shortens life, increases crime,
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