The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1859-07-30
AN ADDRESS.

AN ADDRESS,
Delivered at Benton, before The Lou Holmes Lodq.
l. o. g. T., on tbs All Of July, 1859, By Miss
Laura Holmes.
GESTLEMEN AND LADIEs Il find myself callad
upon to represent the lady members Of this Order
of Good Templars assembled here an honor of
no small magnitude, an honor at which older
hearts than mine would swell with pride,
You cannot expect one Of 80 few summers, to
add much to what has been said and so well said,
for the advancement of our Order and the es-
tablishment of the principles Of Temperance,
and should have preferred to be silent witness
of its progressive march, enjoying within myself
the proud satisfaction that beheld its genial in.
huence falling like holy JUNCTION on the hearts of
this people, and that my country is fast being
redeemed from the black thraldom of intemper.
anee, which, unchallengcd before, has so long
sported her bloOd-stained banner over our heaven
blessed homes. Yes, glorious redemption from
that demon rule, whose bghting touch has
well nigh ruined all that is noble and lovely in
the " lords of Great ton" My heart reoiceth that
this kingdom is usurped, and that old Benton,
almost my birth home, is now enjoying an envi-
able position in the temperance history of our
State wiping from her brow the stain Of in
fanny, and publishing to the world that hers is
no longer the drunkards retreat, where these
libes on the name of man meet to hold their
fendish orgies.
Young as | am, have heard too often their
savage yell, polluting the midnight hour with hor-
rid oaths, disturbing our seasons Of rest aud
rendering it dangerous for lady to walk our
streets in open day But, thanks to heaven, the
scene is changed We now enjoy our promenades
and in our walks meet no reeling vagabonds,
whose eyes are bleared, whose faces are glowing,
heated furnaces, from which the fumes of alcohol
comes seething hot, and sitting the very breath
But now the gentleman is written on each brow,
and ladies dare to look them in the eyes.
/ What, let me ask, mss wrought this change?
| What spirit from the spheres Of Heaven is in our
midst? What genius has waved her magic hand
What ministtriDg angel has tinseled our cheeks
with the flush Of health Whence the Joy beam.
ing in every eye? Why now is Benton becoming
the happest known spot on earth l will answer.
few weeks past wayfarer, with the seal OF
| Heaven upon his heart, comes from his home and
tarried with US. He announced that there would
be, at night, lecture in Benton on the subject of
temperance. ScOrn twisted many lip when his
business was told; and, as he ascended the stand
to count, by the Pickering rays of single tallow
candle, an hundred empty seats, his heart sank
within him. This effort was the first, and de-
cided failure but, relying On the purity of its
principles, and its claims upon our abandoned
people, he determined to raise the temperance
flag although but few were then to shelter
unuer its folds. The hour came; night let down
her sable mantle; the church bell sent out it's
kindly summons and ere its echo slept in the dis
tant hills, n few had gathered there to hear what
Mr.. PENDER, the disciple Of Temperance, had to
say, and long will his words like incense, lay on
memory's altar. We saw the crime of drunken
ness as we had never before seen it, and the few
who looked upon her tattered robes and squalid
countenance, banded together with a vow to drive
the demon from our land and thus the little Or.
der has been established in Benton The little
lesson left has lesened the whole lump. Yes two
or three were gathered together in Gods name
when He came in their midst to bless. The bread
of hope was cast upon the worst society and be-
hold its increase Our Order has grown until
now it is far easier to tell who does not, than who
does, belong to our social circle.
Men who were worthless, have been reclaimed,
and now glory in the title of gentlemen. On
Sabbath our churches have no longer empty seats,
but joy, brightens every lip with smiles and every
heart is gushing With songs of triumph. Many
iresde welcomes the good angel Of happiness for
the first time. The fend Intemperance has been
driven out, while Benton is the model town of our
county
But, gentleman, although you have done your
duty in this glorious cause, unasssted by tVOmdB
your effort as that of all who have experimental
OelOTe yOu, udu pAOFeu al lBuOule luis
is the first experiment in which woman has been
your helpmae. She now has put her shoulder
to the Wheel and the car Of Temperance moves
off as If by fairies driven. She has been con-
suited, and behold how her cause has triumphed
Her hand has snatched the poisoned chalice from
the lips of youth, and presents instead the spark
ling nectar fresh from natures bubbling fount.
'Tis woman that holds aoft your proud banner,
and beckOns you to follow her to your juvenile
crowns, placed us they are upon the battlements
of Heaven, aud ready for the faithful Woman
is the guardian angel of your Order. Keep her
in your councils. and the day is not far distant
when every inebriate will, by her influence, be
drawn into your circle, where her kindness and
vigilance will ever preserve them. And to you,
gentlemen if you desire to preserve your dig
nifty, if you wish honor and success to crown your
every undertaking, remember it can only be Sc
cured by keeping sacred your pledge of temper
ance remember ever, that the eye of woman is
upon you-her prayers ascend for you,-and in
your fidelity rests the hopes of WOMAN.