The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-09-25
The Temperance Cause at Steuben-
vile.

long time 10 quote anything from the
steubenvillc papers on the subject oil
temperance showing how the cause
was progressing in that benighted place.
Since our fair friend, the Secretary Of
the Women's League, laid down her
graceful and scriptural pen and retired
from the scene several months ago, we
have been in the dark as to whether the
League or the personal Liberty Club was
ahead. AS long as the charming secre-
tary was visible on the fourth page Of the
newspapers we could see how the tide OF
battle was setting, Her Ieathery tip
ped pen, (supposing her to write
with a q1ill) was like the white
plume of HENRY Of Navarro
at the battle OF Ivry. "My children, said
he, II you lose sight Of your colors rally
to my white plume-you will always find
it in the path Of honor and glory" And
thus 1t was with the brilliant Secretary.
Her pen was the rOllying standard in the
struggle between the daughters Of the
League and the Sons Of Bslisl. II contn.
ually appealed TO them TO
"PreIS where you see the white plume Shlnc
amidst Tho ranks OF war,
And be your oriAlmme to-day the hcmlet OF Na.
vArre."
Her sparkling words Of encouragement
seemed TO keep the other sisters in line
Of battle, and when she retired from the
contest and we no longer saw her white
plume We felt that their zeal was in dan
ger Of tagging. And such seems TO have
been the case. The excitement wore t.
self down from an aggressive TO q passive
attitude, and there II has remained in sort
o! hesiLating inactivity during the Sum.
mer. Meanwhile the foe has recupetated
TO a certain extent. Tho report Of the late
Secretary's successor in office shows that
tho beer business goes Oh. She beWails
this sad fact, and seems somewhat con.
founded in her faith. She Is "Iree to
admit that iniquitY has seemed TO
abound" This she attributes in part to
the Personal Liberty Club, and says that
institution is "worse in It's influence than
any Of the saloons" She even calls 1t
"school Of Sin" and says it "bears falsely
the name Of oirespectability." The members
oft, according 10 her report, "hsve had
their desire" and "their dream
OF bliss" (whAtever that means), but
1t has been at tho expense Of "lhG
miseries and woes Of others" She
reIers.to the case Of Of GILBERT, who was
killed some time ago b.. policeman, and
points a moral over that tragic occur.
renee. Strange to say, she asserts that
"the liquor. cause gained strength from
it." Referring TO 1t she remarks that
"The whisky element has made good
uss Of the terrible excitement caused by
that case, TO turn the tide Of public senti.
meDt against known friends Of the tenn
perance cause. II has .prosperCd inso.
much that 1t de6es the law Of the city or.
dinsnce, and men sell and furnish beer in
open defiance ot IT,"
Why 1t is that things are as they are
the Secretary is puzzled 10 say. II is
mysterious TO her that "this wickedness
has been permitted in the face oI the
womcn's prayers and entresties." She
thinks 1t likely that something was
wrong" in the hearts Of the Sisterhood,
and that they needed this chasLise-
ment" We suspect that this must be
the case. The Secretary has doubts,
however, She thinks that 1t may be tho
old story over again Of the man who took
seven additional spirits TO his house, and
whose last state was worse than the flrst.
And as ilthis was still mol satisfactory ex.
plAnstion Of the prevailing degeneracy at
Steubenville, she concludes that "those
whom the Gods mean to destroy they first
make mad" This solution lets the sisters
out of the responsibility and puts the
sRloonists and Personal Liberty Club in,
and will no doubt be voted success by
the lormer.
What lie to be done in view Of the pres
ent aspects Of the situation the Secretary
does moi suggest And what compllcatss
the situation Is tho fact that the Personal
Liberty Club has formally announced It'd
disbandment to the world. It would
seem by this that both sides are disarming
and putting themselves on a peace es-
tabliShment instead OF q war footing al
heretofore. The Club publishes q queer
set Of resolutions in announcing It's dis
olutIon. 1t claims that It has been In
strumental in promoting the cause o.
temperance and at the same time has vim
dicated the liberties Of citizens, One ofiu
resolutions Is as follows:
REsolped, That we recognize and en-
dorse, approve and delight in the highly
moral, strictly Virtuous, and eminently
wise, discreet and intelligent efforts o
some Of our eminent, learned and intelli-
gent ministry, in promoting the cause O
true temperance In this community, ant
call upon all our temperance friends L
look with pride upon the fruitful results
OF ministerial labor, as shown by the fac
that no place or public entertainment
where ale, beer or cider is sold or giver
away Is known TO exist In our comnunI-
", but that all such places are changed