The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-12
ADDRESS OF JOHN BAsToE.
DELIVERED BEFORE THE cOoD rgNrLtRs
LODGE Al RosEEURG.

Ladies and Gentlemea:-Before the
evening programme opens l wish to
make few remarks upon our retiring
officers. Let praise be given to whom
praise is due. They have been untiring
in their efforts to discharge their various
duties, especially our late Worthy
Chief. / have often sat at My little
stand and looked on with astonishment
to see her preside over our meetings
with such dignity, ability and patience.
All honor to her and our retiring officers
and my dear brothers and sisters who
have been chosen to fill their places.
hope We will follow their Obleexample;
and what We have undertaken to do let
US do with our might, that our efforts
may be blessed to the good Of our fellow
men. propose that we, the Roseburg
Lodge, tender vote Of thanks to our
retiring officers.
The programme OF the evenings
entertainment will consist Of in
strumental music by the Roseburg
Brass Band, vocal and instrument
tai music by sisters Owens, together
with speeches from various persons, and
II some of our ladies will favor US with
few remarks it will make our meet
ing all the more interesting and will be
very acceptable.
thought would like to make few
remarks, and this being my first at
tempt TO address public audience, 1
know you will bear with me II do the
best can. 1t is not my wish to mar
the intention OF the Temperance organ
izatiOn, or attack or abuse any class Of
men; but on the contrary to help the
unfortunate and il possible to rescue
them from the wretched condition in
which they have fallen, and also to save
the young from following their example
and learning their bad habits. | think,
my dear friends, more humane and
noble cause never engaged the attention
OF men and women. To accomplish the
desired end we must be true to the cause
we have undertaken. We shall meet
with many discouragements and some-
times feel like giving up for lost. You
little know the trials and sacrifices OF
those noble-souled men and women in
all ages who have tried to dispel the ig-
norance and misery OF the human fam
lily; and the consolation they have does
not come from an ungrateful world, but
from u consciousness that their cause is
a noble and good one and will eventu-
ally prevail. II the scales could be
taken from our eyes and We could see
them because OF light shining through
the dark world, o, how We would learn
TO esteem and love them; but we have
also another object in view. We intend
to made our influence felt in political
circles by bringing out sober and honest
men who will give us laws that will do
justice TO all classes OF men and women.
The good Book says that when the
wicked are in authority the people
mourn; but when the righteous rule the
people rejoice. This idea may seem 10
be little unsavory, but let me tell you,
my dear friends, the machinery is at
work and thank God 1t is moving on
gloriOusly and will soon be crowned with
victory and success, and We will live to
, realize its benefits. There is another
subject which L wish to speak on, but
trembls lest give offence to some one
II I should, ask your pardon, for as
sure you 1 would not willingly offend
one of you for the world
Dear Ladies, we shall need your wise
counsels to help forward the great and
good work and your soul-cheering pres
ence and inspiring influence to encOur-
age us to carry on the great moral reform.
With your assistance We can accom-
plish great things. Without your help
we can do but little, and that little will
be very poorly done and our best efforts
will fall to the ground powerless and We
shall not be able to do anything effect
ually. The world has never yet been
blest with the experience Of what you
are capable of doing. am sorry to say
mankind has been carried away with
the old prejudices of what might be
called the dark ages, and if lady of su-
perior ability should attempt to tell
something the world never thought of
before, some poor, little-souled being will
set himself up and throw out the epithet
Of 'strong-minded''a and ''crowing hens"
the poor things not knowing that a fool
is known by his pirate. tell you ladies,
I your star has risen and will not set till
the world has been blest by you and it
shall feel your power for good. AL
ready the warm genial breezes are be-
ginning to blow from the east and west,
north and south, and they are clearing
away the old prejudices which have been
a curse to the world and will be so long
as they exist. But thank God the light
is beginning to shine, and you, my dear
ladies, will soon take your places beside
the men as their helpmates, as God in
tended you should from the beginning.
And believe ME, dear ladies, the sacred
inspiration which God has given you
shall go through society like electricity,
refining and purifying humanity.
Therefore, ladies, entreat you one and
all, mothers, daughters and sisters,
come to our help or we shall fall by the
way. Believe me, you are powerful
element. You carry with you a power