National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-03-01


Are we doing all We can 10 help
these nclghhors by resclling their
sons : Are We Going all We can ioI
these sous themselves +! Is IL true
that there are not men aud women
enough, III this place, who prize the
blessings of sober, honored, and use
FIJI sons who apprecI,tc the suffer
ings, the disgrace. and ruin AZ
drunkenness, 10 be stirred by the
sights that disgrace our streets nj
most daily to make most and unit
ed efforts 10 abatc the evil, and help
these sons, and in hclpl q them
gladden. parental hearts and protcct
ourselves ! Can it be that The fear
of losing popularity or patronage IN
in amy form shall keep us from
standing out firmly but kindly, to
breast the torrent that is sweeping
these precious boys on to their own
undoing, and preparing them 10 be
the educators OF u generation yet
unborn, to sights and habits Of
drunkenness
Surely il cannot be, because any
of us feel that it is a triiling matter
whether our boys and young men
become drunkaids or not, that We
fail to do all III our power to keep
them from becoming such.
am satisfied that We are not do.
il what We might, and hence what
God will hold us responsible for do
ing, in behalf of these sons.
But there is larger class of sons
to whom must refer, who are eX-
posed to the seductive influences
which have ruined others and are
very liable to lead them into the
same tippling habits. Who of us,
who has a son yet pure, who would
blush at the thought Of being intoX
icatrd, who knows not the shame
and Guilt so certain 10 follow in the
train of tipping, who Of MS having
such boys but Shudders at the
thought OF leaving them to the lnilu-
cncc of those satanic devices that
have comprised the ruin of SO many.
In the name, then, Of all these
boys and young men, and all who
shall be their companions in happl-
ness or misery through lite who as
vet are free from the habit Of taking
stimulants OF amy kind, lift my
voice. and plead, asking if We
have done all we can for them, to
quad them from unnecessary temp
taton, SHIELD them from harmful in
huencc, to put out OF reach that
which, within easy reach is So apt TO
allure, blind, then ruin 1t would
be wrong to forget those who have
reached mature years aud have con
tirmed the habit of drinking and
know its power and cnrSe. and wish
themselves out of its grasp; and
those even who are pleased with
the bondage. We owe it to them
to do all we can TO take the tcinpta
ton from them; take away the pow
cr of CRAFTY ing Il chosen, bat c'He
tyrant.
We are the keepers OF these
brothers in a very important sense
We cannot innocently lay harmtn
hands upon them or theirs, nor cal
we sit idly 10y and allow another t'
take their money. take their poWe
of self control, take their good name
take their reason, take their cha,ac
tar, take "tht crown Of llic' from
them. and be held innocent by Yin
who has made it possible for us II
do much TO prevent 1t.
Can we say to all the scores Of III
nocent boys and Snls "you mus
not slide down hill in our streets be
cause YOU cndanger this mare
horse and perhaps his life also,
and can we not say to tins man yo'
must not put the bott.c to The
mouth of these innocent boys TO
YOU endangcr all their lives an'
what is Infinitely worse. you inpcIi
their character and their souls
Must we remain--lct me ask
accepting my lull share OF rcSponSl
blli,y-muSt we remain Il stencil II
the nOstlils OF the county, Il pltilul
suffering, helpless community
Is there no,hing that can artous'
MS to n sense Of our responsibility
Il sense of our furnished reputation
our suicidal policy Will noth.n;
stir us to a Consciousness OF on
strength, Our ability to earn an'
achieve Il triumphant success, If ON
" we unite to do our simple duty II
extending helping hand to on
brother
sszsssssrs-se-xs,rzs1s s,s. xSssi
Til, may certify that have given my ="
IIumucN g. Norris, lis time AND shall "lan
none OF his earnings, or pay any debts d Ia
contracting after tins date