Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-04-27
Temperance Conyention May 9th.


TO THE TEMPERANCE MEN AND WOMEN OF foRrAaE
kF A COUNTY.
Inobediefice to the Instructions of the League
over which i have the honor to preside, address
you at this time and in this manner. The time
for action has arrived! Friends, we must not, can
not, will not, sleep longer at our posts. For the
time being at least let the tongue of the demagogue
be silenced. Long enough have we listened to
his syren song. The driveling idiot and the raw
ing maniac made SO by rum; the Lazar house and
the Penitentiary with their rum drenched inmates;
the galows with its whiskey bloated victim, and
our brothers. blood, his widowed wife and or
phaned children each and all call upon us to for
get our sectarian differences and our partizan
feuds, and remember only our common brother
hood. In this spirit let us come together on the
fifth day of May. In this spirit let us lay broad
and deep the foundation of our ultimate triumph.
We have borne our crushing burthens until they
have become uncomfortable. We have foreborne
action in the right direction until forbearance has
long since ceased to be virtue. From "time
whence the memory of man runneth not to the
contrary" have we cherished the infatuated idea
heart and steel ehcased conscience of the rum
seller. Calmly, coolly, yet with a stern purpose
and unalterable resolve we now propose to
try what efficacy there is in that kind of1egal sua-
son'' which vindieates itself in fines, penalties,
forfeitures, and bread and water diet, administered
by the careful hand of functionary under the
restraining influences of bolts, bars, locks and
keys. This kind of 'suasion' will address itself
so directly and with SO much feeling, to the rum
seller that he will be able to comprehend its
teachings. For nearly half a century have we
been trying to regulate the traffic in intoxicating
drinks. Vain effort. As we'll might we hoye
successfully to regulate the fierce tornado, the un
chained whirlwind, the throes of an earthquake
or thunderbolt, hurled by the hand of Omnipo.
tence. The traffic admits not of regulation, but
thank God it does admit of anitihilation and LEI
"annihilation be the watch-word and the reply
Let earnest friend of the cause be lulled into
false security by the miserable bantling of March
18th, 1858. 1t is the last move of Bacchus upon
the legislative boards. Reasonably we might
have supposed that there was not ignorance, stu.
pidity, imbecilty and wickedness enough in thu
State when all simmered down into a Legis
lative body to have produced such "ropy drive
of rheumatic brains'' as the thing of March I2th
However, friends, one united effort and the day
is ours. One united effort and the "Mane Law
will stand upon our Statute book in place of thi
emanation of Legislative folly. five fearlessl
do our duty now and hereafter, bright future i
in store for us. Let the true men and women o
Portage come up to the 5th Of May Convention
The people of Ravenna will gladly entertain you
committee will be at the Court House to re
ceive you and welcome you to the hosptalities o
their homes. Speakers of eminence will addres
the meeting. Come one and all. Come fror
all and query part of the County. Come in you
strength, and let us make sure the present goo
within our reach. O.P. BROWN.
President of the Portage Co., Tenn. League.