Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-05-02

for them and heir hded supporters that
We assemble for prayer. NJ
THURSDAY. April s, 1874.
AsHTABUIA, o., April 25, 1874.
Editor Telegraph = DEAR. SIR. The
gInund swell of the temperance move
ment seems to he sill moving in our
midst, and the echoes of il come TO us peri
odically, in the various ultcrances which
are published in the weekly newspapers.
Ii is with no disposition to STIR ap strife
that we would add few words, 10 what
has already been said, but rather from a
desire to give a general and candid review
o: the movement.
Those most familiar with the manner in
which it began in this place, must ac-
knowledge that il originated from a
sincere desire to do something to rid our
community of the terrible curse Of intern
peranee, which pervails here, as weii as
elsewhere. -g.-. ...
1t is already known that the movement
assumed, at the outset, a religious aspect.
Christian people began first TO pray upon
the subject, and then were led to act.
Those who prayed were soon led to con-
slider the matter, which had been so sue
cessful elsewhere, to be the one which
should be adapted here. ..
This conviction was arrived at with
much hesitation and prayeriuluess, but
when arrived at, was zdopted from the
sincerest and most praiseworthy motives.
in this place, all personal hesitation was
removed, and all present consecrated
themselves most fully to the work. No
personal motives could possibly come in
as all incentive, but the spirit of self sacri-
fec most fully prevailed.
With no bitterness Of feeling, but with
the kindest intent, the ladies commenced
their efforts with the saloon keepers.
Feeling and knowing that these men
were doing wrong, rhey hoped 10 convince
them by quiet words of that wrong, and
to D rstIade them 10 abandon it.
If their motives were at any time miss
understood, and in some. cases. unexpected
sentimen; tried them, yer they were not
to be driven from their kindly purpose,
nor give up their serious intent FOiled
in Ibis, then the next resort was to the
Council and this ended in disappoint-
ment. l .t-ts a.. t....-... ...-.
AT last came the election as the only
and final appeal 'or deliverencc. In this,
the political contest. everyone knows the
whole community were interested and it
is probable, no local question ever so
moved the people, and il is even doubtful
whether the great national issues of the
elections during The war more thoroughly
stirred the community. With no noisy
demonstrations, but with serinus and
deep convictions that great moral con
test was going on, our citizens came to
the polls and deposited their ballots. The
result Is we'll known. The friends of the
temperance reformation were simply out
numbered, and, of course like respectable
citizens have quietly submitted. One
thIng is certain, however, a sentiment has
been disclosed which cannot be suppr, ssed
and we assert that that sentiment should
he respected Whatever reputation the
town has formed for its If by the vote, it
must be acknowledged that a strong lem
ptrance sentiment prevails here.
The future cannot be put where the past
has been Convictions have been ex-
pressed and put INTO vote which can
never be eradic&ted or given up. The
town may grow, Others may come in who
are moi influenced by this sentiment, but
certainly the lost majority of numbers at
this election does not warrant any one in
supposing that the town is hereafter to be
ruled in the interest of liquor sellers, aud
much less that drunkenness and rowdy-
Ism are TO have full sway.
Our newly elected mayor has already
iniimated as much, and on this point, no
doubt the decided majority will sustain
him. .f-.
What remains for the friends of tenn
perance to do is not to stir up strife in the
future, or 10 impugn one anothers mo-
tive for the past but to continue to work
for the suppression of the evil by all
meals in our power. The temperance
sentiment of the community may be in
increased. Notwithstanding the fact thai
there are those who are guilty of con.
founding all moral distinctions on the
subject, AMI the lines are drawn toe
clearly for them to carry much weight
| II there are those who mistake the intelli
gence of the place so much as to suppose
that men did net know what they care
nothing for, or what issues were before
them, it is to be hoped that they will
learn better. If there are those who do
not know that one of the first principles
of morality is expressed in the soul-prayer
Lead US not into temptation" il is proba'
BILE that experience will teach them.
There is no passage which can possibly
be- made to support the rum guzzling and
whisky drinking which are common, aud
all such arguments are to be judged by
their Tenderness rs much as by their words
We are confident that the temp rance SEN
liment which has asserted itself, will have
its effect in society. -
Much has been gained already, more
may be and doubtless will be done in tht
future. S. d. P.
SAYBROOK.
III TEL. ThinUS are mnVinU q Iittii