The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-11
gorta9e On. aenlofrat.
RAvENNA, OHIO
wednesaay,..-..-.N November II. 1868
Published by Request
HPERANCE-AN ESSAY.
BY MRS. W. wooDARD.
RAvENNA

Think not that l am going to lecture you
tonight on Woman's Rights, &C.; but, dare
| say it, with woman rests the responsibility
of the whole world, with her, our nations
welfare. 0, what thought Have you
ever thought of it? And is it not true? A
remark made to me the other day, will, I
think, solve the whole mystery:
"a good and true mother makes good
son."
Does not the gentle, loving, and guiding
influence of good mother mpress itself in
delibly on the heart of her son? Methinks
it does, and effectually
Of course there are excep tions. Perverse
natures may not always be made susceptible;
but there is right way to do everything, and
have heard it said perseverance overcomes
all obstacles, and am half inclined to be-
lieve it.
Taking into consideration these things,
should we not. as true patriotic women, who
hold the destiny of our country in our hands,
prepare ourselves for the emergency, cultivate
our hearts and minds to the utmost of our
ability. that We may be capable of performing
the great work that God has given us?
We must put our shoulders to the wheel,
and not finch Let our aim be high. IT'S
said, He aims too low who aims beneath
the skies,' and zoe certainly will fall far be-
low the mark, if we do not make it very high.
The youths who are to-day placed within
Ortr ra1,or f,>=lo III i
will, during the next quarter of century,
have the moral destiny of our country depend
upon them. The strong hands of the vete
rams are, one by one, palsied by the touch of
age. The voices that have rung out for God
and truth, are rapidly passing into the har-
monies of a better world. Upon their shoul-
ders the ark of reform is to rest in their
hands the torch of human progress is to be
borne onward. Among the sacred trusts be-
queathed to their charge is the Temperance
Reformation.
Thirty years ago this reform movement
was IN its infancy, it then being restricted to
few earnest spirits, who, farther up the
mount of progress than their fellows. had
caught the rays of the early dawn, before it
had gilded the plains below.
The first national organization against al
coholic liquors was established in 1926; since
then, the Temperance reform gradually pro-
gressed, till within the few last years, it seems
to be on a decline; but it must again be re-
vived.
What question is there at the present day,
that involves SO much as this grand moral
question? None. And yet we need much
patience, as well as determination. Opinions
grow slowly. If life time were spent to
attain one great object, that life were not spent
wholly in vain. Wilberforce toiled through
one whole generation before the British Par
lament declared the slave trade to be pira-
cy. Then let US not be discouraged, though
obstacles of the greatest magnitude may ar
| ray themselves before u.s.
Gallileo, with his telescope, and Columbus,
with his compass, stood up against the whole
world; but they both at last brought over the
whole world to their positions.
Truth is like the unsounded ocean, whose
deep calleth unto deep at the voice of JeLo-
vah," and if the prejudice and night of igno-
rance comes down to veil for a time, it is still
there, beating on with the same victorious
pulse, and waiting for the day.
Humanity beckons us onward "White-
robed Love- floating in mid-air before us,
leads us on to the conflict. The shouts of
the ransomed make music amid our banners.
| Let us press forward with the age. Let us
endeavor to reach nearer the goal of human
perfection. Let us find in our tolls an ever
fresh delight. So shall our posterity be cheer
ed by that sun which will shine with sew
enfold luster.''
RIGHT On !' O, glorious motto, Strength
and victory blossom and bloom in its bosom,
and shall promise success, till the earth shall
have passed away, and the heavens be no
more" RIGHT On .'' has crossed the burn
ing sands of the deserts and the almost i'm
passable Alps. 1t took lis strong hold in the
heart of Columbus, when he set sail in pur-
suit of his most cherished visions, and when
his barque rocked uneasly upon the pillows.
and the hearts of his comrades grew weak,
hope beat loudly in his breast, his voice wa
vered not as he said, On, RIGHT ON !,' And
does it not seem that there was prophecy in
4 those words? for was he not swept to distant
shores, where, as yet, no white mans foot
had ever trod "RIeHT OK !" whispers