Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-24

Ae a. II asla
It is deploEahlAfacf, ,inteanJS -
is on the increase in this County, and
especially among the youag men,
through the means afforded by those
miserable nuisances called :" Miners
Associations, /" mining Clubs > &C.,
which are nothing more or less than
liquor saloons very thinly disguised
for the purpose of evading State law
and city ordinances. Before these
things were started in the County,
there were some "old soakers" who
managed to get liquor at some OF the
Drug Stores, enough to get drunk on;
but the young men around the towns
couldn't get liquor so easily as now,
were not led into temtation SO much,
and therefore didn't drink SO much.
But now the evil tendencies Of these
"Mining Associations" are beginning
to show themselves in the incrsase6l
number Of young and old men who
either occasionally get drunk or
frequently drink little liquor.
These are facts which should demand
the attention of all good citizens, and
stir them up to unite their influence
in all proper and expedient efforts to
prevent the further increase of the
evil, at least, and if possible to over
come portion of the harm already
wrought.
In these efforts the clergy should
lead. It is peculiarly their province
to do SO, and they have unequaled
advantages for it. We do believe
that the good of society in general,
as well as that of the individual
youths who are now learning to be
drunkards, demands concerted and
earnest action now on the part OF
Temperance men. For ourselves,
the subject has been weighing on
our mind for months. One cannot
fight alone, but one may at least do
what he can. 1t need hardly be said
that on every occasion the Voter will
be found supporting, with whatever
Of influence it may possess, the side
of Temperance, Morality, and
Religion. We would not denounce
and declaim against those of our
fellow men who, as we believe, are
by inemperance injuringt themselves,
their families, their prospects and
the commpnity in general. Far
from it. They are our equals in all
rights and privileges, fellow mortals
of us all, and equally respnsible to
their Creator. But it Is our right,
and circumstances seem now to make
it our duty, to do what we may to
convince them of the error Of their
ways, to persuade them to reform.
And while doing all within the
bounds OF reason to enforce the laws
and ordinances against liquor-selling,
let US not forget other and perhaps
more powerful means OF effort for
good. There is real and true
Temperance sentiment among our
people, but it is too Inactive. 1t
needs to be stirred up and pat in
motion. Right here in Knoxville a
good, large Temperance Meeting
ought to be held, and the state Of
affairs sconsidered, and measures taken
to begin some active and concerted
effort on the part of Temperance
people. Do you say, "It Won't do
any good?" Let US ask yon, then,
What will do any good? And If we
do what seems to be our duty, are
not our skirts then clear? The effort
belongs to us, the results to God.
And the women Of the County are
interested. They, more
than the men, must suffer from the
effects Of Intemperance. The women
Of Knoxville could stop all liquor
selling in this town at once and for
ever, If they would but unitediy and
set about it--and that
without any illegal action or any
violence whatever. The like has
been done in other towns, and there
fore can be done here.
What say you, fellow citizens,
Temperance people and
good citizens Of all classes, shall the
good work begin?