Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-02-05

In The great political contest which
has lately agitated our country, and di-
verted from its proper channels, the mcr-
al capital of the nation, the temperance
enterprise has almost ben- laid on the
shelf. Now is the time to renew our exs
ertions. If the struggles of the rival
parties have been Inspired by love of
country the same bfty motive will lead
them now to labor in another field.
The occasion calls loudly for the ex-
ercise of patriotism-true patriotism-not
tha: blind, illiberal spirit which denies
honesty of purpose, or love of country to
all who differ from us in opinion, and ar
rogates to itaelf monopoly of those
good qualities, but that feeling and that
principie which excite us to labor for
our country's good, in the various de-
partments of intellectual and moral and
religious enterprise. Let those who have
lately devoted so much energy to poli:i-
cal purposes, prove that they love their
country and their countrymen, by doing
what their hands shall find to do, in or
der to advance individual and national
happiness. Let them enter the field of
moral reform, and prove that their vaun-
ted patriotism is not the mere spirit of
party. Whatever our politicians have
done Or failed to do, one thing is clear,
that vice stalks through the land, crush
ing beneath his heavy tread the hopes of
our republic. And unless the talents
and the euergy Of patriots are summoned
to the conflict, our free institutions will
crumble to the dust.
The fairest political fabric constructed
has no permanaucy but in the virtue of
the people. Virtue is the foundation
If this be sapped, the superstructure
mast fall. Let every man then, be at
his post. Temperance is the foster moth
er of all the virtues, as intemPerance is
parent of all vive An efficient means
of promoting the former, and suppressing
the latter, experience points to associated
action under the organization of temper
ance societies. This has prcred Itself
potent means There can be 20 dispute
no evasion. A tree is known by its
fruits. And the fruits of the temperance
effort stand forth so consPicuously that
none can avoid seeing them. There is
no room for argument-uone for doubt.
The whole world has seen these fruits
and bears witness Of them But the
temperance tree must be cultivated that
it may continue to bear good fruit The
soil about its roots requires constant till
age and it must be watered. The
branches of the tree may require prun-
ing There is work for all who are will.
ing to work. Come on, then, we cay to
our fellow citizens and our fellow coun-
trymen-come on, and join US in our Ia
bors, and tighten our toll. Come aud
assist us in tie great work of removing
the cause Of in;emperance from our cOun-
try and from the world. Intemperance
is unfriendly to mental improvement and
to moral culture; i; is a vice which
strikes at the foundation of all our civil,
political, ani religious ilstitut ions Ag-
riculture, commerce, the arts and scien-
ces have all suffered under its bauaf,l and
whitening influence. Ignorance has pre-
vailed, pauperisn has existed crime has
been multiplied, and the public ba-dens
have increased under the tyrlnnical reign
of king Alcohol VIII you stand idly
by and see these things g on Now is
the time for action, be Up and ADDING,
grid on the arnor, raise the battle cry Of
Prohibition, and prepare to meet the
enemy in the coming contest at the polls.
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