The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-11

from the sails that dot our many waters; the
snorting of the Iron Horse" procIaims it,
As it passes with lightning speed over the
surface of our beautiful land; the tiny wires,
as living arteries, seem throbbing and vibra-
ting the onward progressive movement which
is stamped as with a red hot iron in the heart
of every American citizen.
i There must be no such word as fail in the
history of our country Right always pre-
walls at last. Obstacles may loom up--dark-
ness gather - faith grow weak = the world
may frown-let it, for bear in mind, right has
soil and MUST ever conquer. The good and
noble minded will stand by our side in the
conquest. What care we for the cowardly
shot from some rebel foe, skulking away be-
hind covert bush ? Their weapons will
never reach our hearts.
Does not the successful termination of the
great battle fought, and ended on the 18th of
October, prove to you conclusively the very
fact that have been trying to lay before you?
To be sure, since our national troubles first
arose, we have been severely tried by the way
of defeat; but have We not deserved it all.
and more God, in His infinite love and
mercy, has seen fit to smile upon us in our
last great struggle. I could not help think
ing that the lovely days following that mem
orable 18th were but the reflection of the
beautiful sunshine which everywhere seemed
to pervade the hearts of our loyal brothers
can almost hear the loud, long acclana-
tion resound from every quarter !" Long live
the Union Blessed be the name of the
Lord for His manifold mercies unto us i,'-}
Victory to-day is ours; it is perched upon
every flag staff, and written on each graceful
fold of thatdear old emblem-of our country's
prosperity. q
i" Long may it live and wave, Tthe brave
Der the land of the free and the home of
Our minds now having little respite from,
the one all-absorbing topic, let us turn them
with renewed interest and vigor in another
direction, where our attention is equally ur-
gent Let the mind be kept ever active and
on the alert. Ladies, we will make an appli-
cation of this to ourselves. There is not
anything bemeaning which is honorable no
step too humble in which glory shines.
..
To us the sustaining hand is given let US
not disgrace the trust, but at all times be
ready to reach forth that sustaining hand
Spurn not the guilty one, lest he plunge deep
er into guilt, but rather as one of our lady
poets says:
g Scorn not the guilty one, but rather plead
With him in kindest, gentlest mood
That booIy tbol Lost IL.
To hope, to happiness and God.
Thou art thyself but mortal; thou
Art prone Ferchance to fall as he;s 81
Then mercy to the fallen show,
That mercy may be shown to thee"
A beautiful and true sentiment. Let it not
be lost upon u.s.
What is it God and humanity demand of
us? What is the great question for our So
luton? Unless we greatly err, that question
simply is, Shall we, by Jehovah's help, de-
stroy;the traffic in intoxicating beverages, or
shall they destroy us? Shall we lay alcohol
in his grave, or shall we permit him to lay a
myriad of our loved ones in theirs? Shall
we consent to have the most brilliant intel
lects among us still longer extinguished?-
Shall we permit the fair bride of TODAY to
become the desolate widow of to- -morrow?-
Oh shall we stand idly by, and see the no.
blest of all Gods handiworks go down to
darkness and dishonored grave? Shall we
suffer this monster wrong to fling its hideous
shadow athwart the rays that fall from heav-
en- itself? Or shall we, hand to hand, Join
in the destruction of the most formidable foe
on the face of the earth?
The destiny of millions hangs upon our
answer-and Oh let the answer come with
firm determination worthy the noble cause