Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-16
10 rHr PEOPLE OF MISSOURI.



TConfnued from 4th page.]
With ten, fifteen or twenty such pledges as
We are using, placed in the hands Of men Of in
aucnce, and those men such asfSgouldo tage a.
lively interest 10 the Inattsr, energetic, tho
roughgcing gentlemen, a Sufficient number Of
names would very soon be obtained TO hold the
balance Of power in most countries. True, IN
some counties mary more names will be neces-
sary tnan in others-siil we have no hesitation
in believing that in most counties such sufhcien-
oy can be easily obtained, and the counties
which cannot thus govern their elections are SO
few that advocates of the Maine Law ought 70
have decided majority in the next Legisla7
lures atn age - .Ir.f ..r. ID
No man, until lac has made the inquiry, can
have any idea how few men are found to take a.
decided stand against the law. Many OF our
most inveterate dram drinkers and even drunken
sots will not only tell us they have no objection
TO the law, but they will even sign our pledge,
while many Of the so-caled friends Of Temper
ance, who tell us they are willing 10 vote for
Mane Law man. and some who even go so far
as TO tell us they will vote for none other, de-
cline 70 sign the pledge, fearing that they are
signing away sumo Of their Liberties in this
free country.
II is high time VIC put our shoulders TO the
wheel and goto work vigorously for although it
is yet a long time before the next election we.
will not more than have our work completes;
and besides, after men begin 10 express pre-
ference for certain men candidates, they viii
be much less likely to sign the pledge; and not
only so, but by beginning 10 agiate the question
thus early Ii gives our friends who wishto run
for Office ample time TO come out ''dyed in the
wool" Temperance men, and notwithstanding
ad excitement gotten up thus long before an
eleciob is generally considered untnney and is
likely 10 abate, still in this case where men have
their sacred honor pledged, they are not likely
to forget it, and although their zeal may abate,
they will still be remembered by those %ho
wish their votes as the invincbe. .If r.
We have nothing 10 fear from agitating, for
the more we talk Of the Maine Law the better
is il liked: we have only to tell an honest, con-
scIentious man that ardent spirits is doing no
one any good, but is doing some of his friends a
great harm, (Which every knows TO be n
fact when he is caused to reflect about it, and
he is at once ready to lend his name and lnfu-
ence to put away the evil. E.y i- SIMON
We have perhaps said enough to draw atten-
ton to this subject and cause it to be inyestiga-
/ ted; and if after the subject has been maturely
considered, any better plan can be suggested,
we will thank our friends dor the suggestion,
for we are no sticklers for this particular plan
il better one can be proposed.
Again, we ask the friends of the Maine Law
throughout the State to Yin us in trying TO do
something towards the accomplishment Of this
great work.
Let US set about it in good earnest and in due
! time and we are sure TO succeed. ~
We turn for aid to the church of Christ in all
/ lis branches, and call upon its individual mem.
nd fba IL
fuence for the good Of the church and of our
common country.
If drunkenness, gambling, stealing murder
and all The train of concomitant vices are not
allowed in the church, how much less should
this grand producing agent Of all these. sins b
Il tolerated, while it is known TO corrupt the min
listers of religion, obstruct the progress of tn
gospel, deiile the purity OF the church, ant
promote the reign Of temporal, spiritual AM
eternal death. . "A.
To the Sons Of Temperance we shall not cal
in vain, for this subject falls directly within
their theatre of action They have espouse
the cause Of humanity, and are working TO re
claim the drunkard and aid the widow and or
phan sin affections strait And since the
are well appraised that rum is a baneful poison
: daily depriyng many of life, moro of reason
most of properly, and all of peace and happines
+, causing fathers to be fends, wives widow,
and children orphans, they will not Withhold
their influence when it is required in behalf {
7 the Maine Law.
i Bat if, contrary 10 our expectations, throug
the lethargy and inactivity Of the friends of III
law, we have not majority Of Maine Law me
in the next General Assembly, and it become
necessary TO petition, Henry county will sen
as long list of names as any ether county wit
$ The same number of voters.
w. S. HoLLANp,)
/ ~ IT. 7 n