The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-22
I'm .5DDeaIt0 .Y0tbrrs.

I'm appeal to .YOthFrs.
cannot forbear, through the pages OF the
True NoRTHERSER, saying just word or two
in regard to a subject that just now agitates so
many minds and interests 80 many hearts
Intemperance has fought many battle, arrayed
against honor and right, and although some
times almost defeated, il stands conqueror
still. And now, while the armies of the world
(and every true and Loyal heart becomes VOL
unteer) are girding themselves once more for
battle, shall we SIT idly by, with folded hands,
and let the work go on as it may to win or lose?
Our husbands may not be in danger, oar chill
dren may not yet have learned 10 love the
deadly old decanter, but the time mag come
when the bright young heads we fold tonight
so closely against our loving hearts may droop
with the shame OF dlshonor and the drunkard's
curse Other mothers have folded their chill
dren Just as closely. other mothes' kisses have
fallen just as warm upon their baby lips, and
the same prayer OF yearning arose above these
sleeping little ones as rises above ours tonight,
and the ear Of the infinite Father bent low to
catch the whisper, - God bless nv darling :"
but to-day, the lips Of that mothers darling are
too polluted TO meet that mother. kiss, and
the heart, over which she yearned 20 tenderly,
stepped IN sin as TO curse the name Of the
mother who bore him. only few DAYS ago |
looked upon those two boysh faces confined in
our own County ja!L. one OF whom imagined
could scarcely number score OF years, and yet
hands were crimsoned IN the blood OF fellow
man. II was only the Old story,-a few glasses
OF liquor few more dimes in the Golfers OF
the rumse.ler, and the deed was done that sent
a fellow man to the untIied world. and wrecked
the future OF bright young life. Oh. he was
nothing TO ME / knew the world would call
him Youthful wretch but he was somebody's
boy. Some mothers hand lad smoothed back
those dark locks, and kissed that broad. ow
brow. and planned for him glorious future,
and perchance to-day ia her agony, pouIs out
her pitying wall, - " ould 10 God Lad died
for thee. my boz, my boy " But the wcrld
will pronounce him guilty and we'll il may,
the laws OF Justice will condemn him to the
gloomy walls OF prison, and tue demon OF the
cap will still go on dealing out his deadly poison
to other mothers sons. All You and | have
llttle ODeb 100 uedr 10 SdCrlH-e Ou SUCH al after,
but unless the alter Is overthrown they, too,
may become victims. Dearly as | love my
children, / would far sooner fold their still
hands over still hearts, and cover them with
roses, types Of their own sweet purity, aud
hide them beneath the cofin-lid. than see my
boy drvntdrd or my girl dy7tnkdro's ,cife.
O., il my voice or pen we're strong enough. !
would ring tue warning into every ear. Touch
not, taste not, handle not" the accursed thing
Let the social glass alone And oh il you are
strong enough 70 drink or let 1t alone Yourself
don't tempt another weaker than you. Angels
are listening Heaven waits III silence to hear
the news sound out of victory or defeat, aud
let us not be silent let heart, voice and hand
plan, act and pray. until from every valley and
hilltop shall sound the victor's cry The step
ping-stones to ruin are removed. the world is
saved. ANNA BARTON.
ALMENA, MAY 18th, 1s14