Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-04-30
a MOTHERS APPEAL.

A MOTHERS APPEAL.
| THE following Temperance Appeo
written by Mrs. D Fl. Budd, was rea,
by Miss Emma Sprague at the mas
meeting OF the Ladies Temperance
Union, held in the old Congregations
Church, on Friday evening last
Do you ask why this uprising o
women all through our land? VII,
not allow men peacefully to pursue
their Legitimate business unmolested.
Why seek the destruction of the traffic
IN alcoholic drinks in Lancaster?
We answer thus: Legislation has
failed u; the entreaties of wives and
mothers have been fruitless; all at
tempts TO bring the violators of eri$f.
ing laws to justice have been baffied
by skillfully framed technicaities.
Our darling boys, some the only
hope of their widowed mothers, charm
ed by the fair exterior are allured int
saloons, there to sperd their time and
money where the watchful eye of the
mother may not penetrate, where
b inds and frosted windows warn the
passers by that within are spectaclee
not betting the inspection of refined
and virtuous mothers, wives and Sis
tiers. In vain We try to cultivate our
boys at home for usefulness in life, if
public sentiment tolerates, If it does
not favor, the resorts where strong
drink is obtained, which benumbs the
intellect, intiames the passions and en-.
courage habits Of Incidence.
Oh! We fathers, saoonists, have you
forgotten the fearful lessons Of the
past? Has the murderous scene in
our streets faded from your minds?
Did not one stray barbed arrow pierce
your conscience? Ask the mother and
children il the wound in their hearts is
yet hea'ed. No, it has been written
there with pen of iron.
Perhaps you, fathers, feel sure your
idolized boys will never fill dishonor-
ed graves--your daughters ever be-
come the wives of drunken husbands.
Oh, fathers! arise and wash your
hands in innocency--build for your
selves monuments of good deeds and
noble examples by ceasing this traffic
Come to the rescue, oh, we mothers!
ye who can brave dangerin any form,
whom the fercest flames could not de
ter If your loved ones were in peril
Us, Y It i lie he 1n'quid ire Of alcohol!
That will fire the brain, burn up the
mind and finally destroy both soul
and body.
Oh, We sisters! will you not pledge
us your watchfu1 eye, and say, my
brother and father shall be rescued;
we will use our influence to counter
ant the evil
Yes, we are aroused, and do You
wonder that we are in earnest in view
of all this? Can we sit idly down any
longer and not cry ont against this
evil? All earthly means have failed
us; the women of our land are appeal
ing TO that strong Arm that moves
the Universe. And His promise is,
sIa the day that we seek me with al.
the heart | will be found Of thee" Bu'
let us go about this in an intelligea.
manner. Take no steps without first
surveying the ground; be careful in
all things, with prayer and supphca-
ton, asking wisdom and guidance
from above, for we have to contend
with o fierce adversary--the passions
of men.
We have those among us who wish
every saloon wiped out from our midst
who in their hearts bid US "God
speed" yet who as long as the saloon
door stands open are powerless to pass
by. Men who to day, were it not for
the till Of the dram-seller, could point
with pride 10 beautiful home and
happy wife and children.
Finally, men OF Lancaster, will you
not give us your countenance, your
cheer and your v0tes, to encourage us
in our labor of love?
God and His holy angels are on our
side; all that is good, and true, and
beautiful in humanity invite your co.
opcration--not for moment, or for q
wear, but foreUeri