Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-03-24
TFor the Spirit of Jeferson.J
COMMUNICATED.

However novel the womens' movement
against the rum sellers may be, we cannot re-
fuse to accord to them the utmost sincerity of
purpose. The issues staked and the ends pro-
posed justify the singular. if not strange means
employed. Personal suffering in thousand
instances, aud intense sympathy of which her
nature is susceptible with those Of her sex
thus affected by the traffic, constrsin her to
leave the retiracy of the past assume the of
tensive and enter into the arena as an earnest
struggler for the right. In doing so. she is
only Oheyiug the instincts Of her heart
These are always on the side of right, mercy
and goodness and against wrong, misery and
suffering. In follow ing these lesdincs of her
being. she is right in the highest sense of the
word-her actions accord with tho teachings
and are in close parallel with those of her
Divine Lord. A striking feature Of the move
ment is. that It's actors do not belong to any
particular class or aye or condition Of society,
but in those communities where it ia in orera.
ton, the staid matron and the bIithsome lass.
ladies Of position, character aud wealth, as
we'll as those of humble sphere and means,
work together. 1t carries with it age, iutel-
ligence, wealth and position.
Another predominating eliment of the move.
ment is the religious The larger portion of
the movers are members of some branch of
the christian church. Reliance upon G cd for
His blessing upon their lahnrs. which only
guarantees srcceas, seems to be their spirit.
They go out from the prayer. meeting and
prayer is devoutly offered up for the liquor
seller in front Of. or if rermitted, inside of
his place of business. They there seek the
Divine influence to affect the heart of the
offender for enOd.
Still another Commensurate characteristic is,
it7 entire freedom from harsh erithpts. vinlent
elimination and severe railing Kind ex>
postulations and requests in soft and gentle
words 1ow from their lips and fall npOn the
ears of their hardened subjects rcrsever-
ancc seems to be their motto Feeling the
justice of their cause and the necessity upon
them, they persevere in the work that thew
may conquer. They may fail to day but
nothing daunted they renew t6cir cfT,rts on
Tomorrow, with fresh zeal and spirit. The
question is pertinent will any or much good
result from this movement?s To the n acstior
we unhesitltingly answer, ves. Already sue
cess has crowned the labor Of the nahle women
engaged. Many trsffiners have yi6'asd poured
out their liquor and GIit the hnsimess. Thou
sands nt persons have and will sign the pledge
Of total abstinence The large Brewers Of
enc great City at least Cincinnati. who SUP.
ply the Contiguous towns with beer complain
of decrease Of sales to the amount Of
hundred thousand dollars and more in two
months. Whilst the movement will no: sue
coed with all. the majority of the dealers prov>
ing incorri@ib!e and refusing 10 void there
is no question that it will largely helm to ru-
rify public sentiment ard intensity tho rnti~
hqnor feeling. which will find its way to the
Legislatures and result in the passage Of laws
Of a more stringent and effective kind against
the trnGir-a consummati"n most dcvoutlv
wished. What if such a movement shoull
break crt in our town? We may suppose
that our bachelor friends of whom there are
trio, in obedience to the instincts IF gall
lantry for which they are noted, would c-'cc-
fully yield to the appeals of the ladies' And
others, who are aprrCcia'ivc Of vronan's
character and service, in that thcv aro hrz-
bands and witha, Of tender scnsihli'ios would
own IN. close ua. sign the pledge and get
good blessing. So mote it 10.