Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-05-05
From the Free Democrat.
An Appeal for the Maine Law.

To Hon. J. Fl. Tweedy and II l.. Palm
er. Representatives from the First and
Fourth Wards of this City
Permit us though females. and unae-
cuStomed to write for the public eye to
suggest some thoughts which we hone YOU
will not entirely disregard, upon a sub.
Ject of great Importance to every citizen.
And first to Mr.. Tweedy We read
your objections to--not arguments against,
tor they were not arguments, but only
objections-the bill authorizing the peo
pie to vote next fall. whether they would
have law enforced similar in its provis-
ions to She Maine Law, which, at the best.
or worst, could not go into operation be-
fore Il gear from, neat Julu And this
Law was the hope Of many a wife and
mother IN this rum-ruled aud rum-ruined
city. But you. Sir, a son of the Pilgrims.
a descendant of the Puritan stock, born
among the green hills Of New England.
Thought, or said, at least. that the people
of this state were not prepared for such
law-public opinion would not sustain
tit could not be carried out. enforced.
carried into effect, &c Sc
Now, Sir, what evidence have YOU of that2
Have you any weigbtior reason than the
fact that a son of tbs pil1rims, with such
rlclrS, opinions and sentiments. should be
sent 20 the LRgislatuye2 Can you, dare
you deny, that the Law, wherever enforc-
ed, has worked 1eelI-worked lcoszliers p
Even now. in Maine far more stringent
law has just been passed So long as the
rum trade tiourishes. and Intoxicating IL
quOrs are used at every election to control
votes, as at present, so long ',piILc
sentiment" viii not enact such q law
But, Sir in behalf of the mothers. wives
and daughters Of Milwaukee. and in the
name of humanity, We appeal to you, aud
beg of YOU, TO consider few thoughts
which we present.
And We present the same aud in like
manner appeal to Mr. Palmer, who. it was
said, rehcmeHtI8 denounced the .'Maine
Law as tyrannical, disgraceful and IN
just" Suppose your wives had drunken
tathers-men who would neglect TO pro
vide food, raiment and shelter for their
families, as drunkards do in this CITY
What would these sufferers say to the
passage Of a law that would prevent thsse
evils
Look upon these scenes, Gentlemen
Don't be afraid to come to our hon7es--
not koUSeS-draw near on Saturday night.
and see our husbands come home with
their jugs Of strong drink listen to the
abuse the cruelty, Inflicted upon our inno-
cent oblldreu--upOu OuTselveS-even muir
dcrous cruelty for some of our number
have had their children murdered One
Of our neighbOrs, few days ago, was
found dead--a victim TO drunken hus-
band. See our children in rags, and our
selves miserably clad-yes, even our oacn
little sums, earned by our own hands.
squandered for rum or whiskey 90 to tie
jail, and see there many of our husbands
and friends. confined for crimes commit
ted alone through the influence of liduor.
TO 10 the Police Office. and learn the his.
tory of crime. and ask the magistrate there
if three faurths Of all the causes which
come before him, have not been begotten
by the dram shops Yes, and more than
that proportion too.
Ask the friends of the youth, who ia
now just commencing his career Of intem-
perance or the family of that grey-hair-
ed man, of great age and respectabilitv,
who is now seen staggering on his devi-
Gus way home from the saloon, what then
think Of your votes against tho best law
ever before our LcgislatuTe2
Answer these questions, Gentlemen -
Stand up Ike men, and look as in the
face us, who have suffered all kinds of
woe and wretchedness because of this pa
rent Of al. our miseries and remember,
too, that there is a day coming when the
veil shall be drawn aside, and the magni-
tude of these evils shall be fully under
stood, and the agency you have had in
perpetuatiHg this worst of all abomiua.
tions, will be looked upon in tie clear
sunshine-the strong light Of truth, jus
tice and humanity
Then. which will outweigh in the scale
ef enlightened conscience and truth. the
mushroom popularity you have gained By
these votes, or the fountain Of endless woe.
which you have bid to flow on, sweeping
its thousands to wretohedness, death, and
hell
MANY WIVES AND MoTHERs