The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1854-03-01
Petition of the two hundred an
forty-nine Ladies of Jackson.

To the Honorable Legislature of' l.
.Sfafcof Mississippi nol0 an Session aSSed
hea Your petitioners, all ladies. both m
ried and unmarried, undertake the task Of
dressing you with feelings Of no ordir
character, upon the alarming evils Of inrrs
perance-prevaIent to so fearful an ex
not only in the city of jackson, but
throughout the State Of Mississippi
They beg your indulgence and charita
generosity to award them patient hearin
while they call your attention TO The subje.
-one on account Of which woman has alwa-
been the greatest sufferer.
They see here in their midst, no less I'll,
from every part Of the State, the frightful y
stroyer intemperance, without any compunt
tions Of conscience. and with the authority OF
the law in its possession, snatching from
among theis citizens the young, she gifted,
the talented, the future pillar on which the
hope and strength Of the prosperity and great
ness Of this commonwealth is based, and bury
ing them in an untimely, drunkards grave.
They see heads Of families, men of elevated
standing and honorable profession, staggering
towards the drunkard's wretched end. They
hear the bitter wailing of orphanage, and see
the blood-like tears Of PROSTATE widowhood,
sending up their cries to God on high, for
help. and deliverence from the relentless
demon.
Your peIioners, in connection with their
fathers. husbands and BROTHERS, have endea-
vOred, in silent manner. and with the aid Of
moral suasion, to stem the destructive lido
that seems to break and beat over every bar
rier, to instil its deadly poison into the hearts
Of the young aud innocent.
They have plead, they have wept, they
besought, they have all but fallen in the dust
before the arch fend, and implored the dis
continuance Of its pernicious traffic, without
any other effect being seen, than steady in
crease of its number and strength, aud tho
prospect of its continued ravages.
The monster boasts that from your Honor
able body it obtains its power, its rights. its
privilege, thus to blast all the heart holds dear
on earth. That your Honorable body havo
given to It the authority to poison the hope
and strength Of humanity, by granting to him
the al-powerful license, for which he has paid
his dollars. Aye, doLLarS' every one Of
winch Is baptized In blood and tears from
crushed and unhappy hearts.
They, therefore, turn towards you. the lc-
gitimate aw-givers of our noble and magnan-
imous State with the earnest and fervant
prayer, that you will stop the hideOus mon
ster in bis boasts and triumph, by taking from
him that power which he glories as having
obtained from your hands; and that you will.
in your wisdom, pass such enactments as will
strike to earth and forever annihilate bis
deadly influence on society.
We appeal to your honorable body by all
that is good and true, by all that is noble and
great on earth, by all that is sacred and holy
from the word Of God, by all you have seen
and felt yourselves of sorrow and alarm, on
account Of intemperance, as you love and APP
preciate whatever is innocent and pure. right
and just. to como to the aid Of your petition
ers. and bleeding and suffering humanity -
and implore you to raise your mighty arm in
their behalf, and thunder the terror-striking
command into the face of the monster
"Thus far hast thou come, but no farther
shalt thou gop'
And with the prayer to God, TO guide your
Honorable body in all your deliberations.
your petitioners. as in duty bound, submit all
this, with every sentiment of respect and
gratitude.