The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-02-03

on short allowance of silks, ribbons,
and other necessaries for replenishing
and beautifying our toilet.
In such an emergency we sometimes
employ ourselves in remodelling our old
garments to suit the requirements of
Fashion, but in this we are now baffled
Our dresses have reached the utmost
limits of extension.
Any improvement in that direction
would demand an enlargement Of our
dwellings which the low state of our
husbands finances absolutely forbids.-
Our bonnets have receded until any
farther subtraction would result in their
utter annihilation, and upon the moiety
which is left, we have showered flowers
and feathers and every conceivable orna-
ment until even squaw or lunatic
could. not fiud q point upon the dainty
little appendage, from which to suspend
another trinket. ......- .-....
In this dilemma what shall we do p
Idleness is the ''parent of vice" and
people have been known to speak evil Of
their neighbors, apparently from lack of
something better to occupy their minds,
In view Of these things we have re-
solved to keep ourselves out of mischief
by engaging in the work of reform, and
as first step have united together to
form a Temperance Society. In this we
hope to be countenanced and encourag-
ed by the Lords of creation, and if they
can sometimes turn aside from their
weighty cares and responsibilities for a
short time, and grant US their attention,
we will do our best for their entertain
ment, Musically, Morally and Intsllectu-
ally. 1asa 8,.-. ....a .~
AS to the measures we design to take
to promote the cause of Temperance,
perhaps we ought to say something in
the outset; for it seems that the opinion
has gone abroad that we are mobocrats,
and intend to use physical force to ac-
complish our objects. -z. t.e Is
We do not design to pursue course
which will entitle us to articles of ap-
parel worn exclusively by gentlemen,
but should any grog-seller exercise his
benevolenoe by making such q donation,
we will receive the garments thankfully
and appropriate them to the use of such
poor inebriates as have emptied their
pockets at his, and similar establish
ments, and have not the wherewithal to
purchase necessary clothing. Our i'm
aginaiion carries step farther, and we
think if the hearts of all the liquor
dealers should be enlarged. and they
should present to each of us such token
of their consideration, we might estab-
lish a Temperance depot of -eady.made
clothing to be distributed among desti-
tute drunkards. We were not aware
that any orall of us, had made any dem
onstrations of physical courage or war
like valor. that need to alarm any one,
and we will now say that we mediate no
attack upon persons or property. We
solemnly declare that we carry neither
revolvers or bowie knives. We shall
use neither axes or hammers, and do
not expect even to WELD a broomstick.
Our combat will be with principles, and
the weapons Of our warfare are Love
and Truth, which have been in times
past, and we trust will be. mighty
through God in the pulling down of the
Strong holds of Satan. The forces
which oppose the Temperance cause.
are Appetite and Avarice, and against
these we shall contend with no feeling
of enmity towards their victims.
To those who indulge their appetites
by the use of Alcoholic poison as a
drink, we " i'll endeavor to prove conclu-
s;vely, that they are pursuing course
dangerous to themselves, and detrimen-
tai to others. We would whisper in
their ears Beware! eat the last it
biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an
Adder" .. -E
Avarice has generally stronger hold
upon the human mind than appetite
The pen of Inspiration has declared that
''tie love Of money is the root of all
evil" and perhaps no form in which
this evil has ever developed itself, has
been productive of such wide spread
mischief as that of getting gain by the
sale of intoxicating drinks.
But we feel that there may be those
who regard this subject in different
light from what we do, and who take
this means to obtain money withoutcon-
sidering how great an injury they are
doing to society.
These we would approach with all
kindness, and present facts and argu-
ments to con, ince them that they are
getting pecuniary profit by the ruin of
families, and the moral bankruptcy of
their neishbors.
Promising thus much in reference to
our position, principles and intentions,
we will proceed, to what we designed to
be, the min subject Of this Essay
trief history Of the Temperance cause
in E'ka Ter. Ina retrospect of the past
and referring to the early history of any
part of this western country, We are led
involuntarily to notice its external as
poets. Who that has wandered over
this region when it was in state Of
nature, and gazed upon its broad prairies
dotted with groves, its cystal streams
and beautiful rivers, has not felt like ex-
claiming? "God has made a beautiful
world for us-Oh how beautiful. -
Who has not experienced sense of en-
largement and freedom. yearning to.
wards all that is great and good
All the works of God are perfect
Man. his last best work in creation, was
made upright, but he "has sought out
many Inventions" and none OF all his
contrivances has so defaced the image
of his Maker, as the manufacture and
use Of substance which takes away
his reason, and renders him incapable
while under it's influence, of walking in
| the .Strainht and narrow MaYo Uhe