The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-12

NEW SERIES {voL, Vino. ae.--WHoLE NO. lase.

born, or are we meekly folding our arms,
vainly crying peace when there is no peace
The memories of our fathers; who fought.
bled and died. are cherished in our .bosoms.-.
We revere the forms that sought. obtained,
and left for US to preserze-thez sacred boon
la nations freedom. Is that right secure
Can claim it as boasted Inheritance p
As nation Are We Free ?" I'VE speak not
of the oppression, the grievous bondage that
rests like withering blight upon onr South.
ern shore; man has sought in vain to redeem
his nation from this sin. Heaven hears the
cry of the oppressed-may heaven break the
yoke of the oppressor and let the oppressed
go free. 1t is true, the rolling Mississippi
drains no field where victims of the sword lie
perishing nor mingles with itslWaters the
blood of an invading foe, yet, ye SONS of boast.
ed freedom ye daughters that live in the
light of boasted liberty dark and deadly
foe is arr Ranging itself in nour land.fi While we
have been dreaming of peace, the ranks of the
enemy have been forming See,9 from that
low lie of dram shops the ranks are filling
I up. Our cities, vilages-nay. even the sanct.
ity of our homes, has been invaded Then,
is it not time that we; following the example
of our fathers meet the foe face. to face, with
courage undaunted, efforts unreIaxed until the
foe is conquered, peace is gaihed,i and 1--WE
are Free ?" Ask that mother, heart-broken,
faded, and worn, whose son has been snatched
| from her arms, and become enlisted under the
blood stained banner of the elemyeven before
the opening bud had burst into bloom-be.
fore ripeniDg years had set the seal of intellect
upon his brow. Ask the fond wife or sister,
whose hearts are sore and bleeding, and shall
we not be ipcited to guard against the inva.
sons of this mighty foeff Visit the homes
that have been assailed, witness the scenes of
destruction and death. until the heart sickens.
and you involuntarily exclaimsida
fa15 '1e "a sAlas for life if Rits be al, Sra
/. II 80. And nought bsyond;-o, Earth r'
Woman has suffered, agonized, and with
prayers and tears, sunk into apremature grave
the victim of this cruel monster. Ladies
will you lend your aid in securing your sex from
its fendish grasp? Will you join the little
band springing up within our midst, nerving
itself to battle with the strong2 Uniting
yourselves with the good. the upright, the pure.
4 90 forth to save the victim of the wine-cup
from inevitable ruin, Go with purpose fixed
and unyieldng, trusting, in heavens guidance,
with hearts made clean by holy prayers Ex.
ierting your influence until from each and ev-
fery home shall be banished the baneful senti-
4 ment, aof 81 a5 ,za;fi.Ga 81; al
@one sip of this will bahe the dropping spirits delight
Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise and taste.'
And from the social circle is dispelled,-
4 za2a. eWine-bring wine, -59z eozt
/ =-f- Let the crystal goblet flame and shine
Brimming oer with the draught divine"
/ Let public sentiment become purified, re.
stored to a healthy Immediately the
enemy is driven back, barriers formed, and
battlements raised against it. Let the ussges
of society cease to constrain the virtuous. the
RI intelligent young man to become the fashion
able the foolish wine bibbler. Let fierce
temptation no longer assume the appearance
of wealth, beauty, intelligence, fashion, chain.
Il ing its victim to the maddening bowl IuIling
the whisper, q Wine is a mocker," the bite of
the serpent, poisonous and deadly despite its
shining scales. Let the minister, who reads
from the sacred word, Woe unto him that
giveth his neighber drink, and maketh him
drunk, also" show by life of purity and vir.
tue, that he has put far away the unclean
thing. Let the teacher guide the steps of in
| experienced youth lead them in paths where
the card table, the midnight revel are forbid
den. Let the people denounce the Office seek.
! ing poItician-the rulers of the land that
awaken their mental powers with the fruit of
the vine. When Temperance has reached this
point in its onward mareh-when it is fully
sustained by public sentiment, then legislative
power may enact laws of reform The people
may adopt and carry out those measures. The
enemy may be subdued, and from its wither-
ing, hHghtning effects, our nation Will be
Free .e-s... ....- -,
NELSON. O., July q, 1859.