The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-07-02
Work to be Done.

The present attitude of the Temperance
reform in Virginia is full of hope. A point
has been reached in its history from which
we may begin to calculate on new advances
with the certainty of new triumphs, The
day for temporising is past, and the hour
for bold action is fully come Heretofore,
it has been our policy to persuade men"
to abandon the traffic in ardent spirits.
They have listened to the voice of reason,
and acknowledged the force of its teaching,
but the allurements of lucre have been too
strong for their Virtuous impulses, and they
have continued the work of death. The
cries Of orphanhoOd and the prayers of
widowhood have awakened pangs of re-
morse but these have been hushed by the
glitter of golden treasures. The iails, aims
houses and penitentiaries have uttered their
voices, but the temptations of the arch fend
have been stronger than these warnings.
'All this shall be thine" has brought the
rum-seller an humble worshipper at the
feet of the demon.
That the final triumph Of the reform is
intimately associated with the utter extir-
patton of the traffic is no longer debatable
question. All men acknowledge, that, while
temptation assails there will be found those
incapable of resistance. And it is equally
certain, that men will sell while the moral
ity of the traffic is sanctioned by law, and
their Golfers can be replenished by the fool 3
pence. The great question to be solved
then, is, how can we destroy the traffic in
intoxicating beverages
To this question we give but one answer.
Remove the legal sanctions by which it is
now supported, and enact laws for the utter
destruction of the Intoxicating liquids where
ever kept for sale as Intoxicating beverages.
In other words, establish in Virginia that
glory of modern legislation popularly
| known as the Maine law. Here is radical
thorough cure for the evils resulting from
the traffic in alcoholic drinks. This, and
this only, of all the attempts heretofore put
forth, lays the axe to the root of the upas
tree. This alone dethrones the Juggernaut
and burns down his temples.
How shall we labor TO secure its adop
tion During the recess Of the legislature
let every citizen Of the State, who desires
to rid the land of its curse, take petition
and 90 with it to his neighbor and invoke
his aid. Strive to convince him of the i'm.
portance of immediate action on the sub
iect. Point him to the nurseries Of crime
which dot the State and send forth theii
pestiferous breath to blast and destroy ev
erything honest, lovely, and Of good report
Ask the farmer what instrumentality mos
iniuriously affects his servants. Ask th'
taxpayer what makes the poor levy bur
densome. Ask the peace-loying what 70
ments drawings, contentious fghtings
blasphemies and murders. Ask the patri0
what most tends to degrade the elective
- II 1
men and renders them impervious to th'
shafts of divine truth. Aye, learn what i'm
pedes the progress Of divine business in th'
Legislature, and peryerts the awards of jus
tice in the courts. Press these questions
home upon the common sense Of the peopli
OF the Old Dominion, and have your peti
ton ready at hand to receive their endorse
ton. Several months will elapse before th