New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-22
Communicated
The WOmep,s Crusade.

Ane women OF OhlO seem 10 nave real-
izing sense Of the truth of the Latin pro.
verb Lahore est Orare. They have doubt
less been practicing tho latter for years,
and finding their prayers of no effect while
the open sale of alcohol offers to their hus-
bands, sons and brothers constant tempta-
ton, they have decided 70 unite with them
the more purely temporal means Of work.
The scheme of beseiging liquor shops with
prayers and hymns, conducted by con-
stantly relieved bands of earnest, Jealous
women, sacrificing to this most irksome
task their ease, their comfort and their do.
mestic duties was doubtless the inspiration
of love reused TO combat by long suffering
and Indignation. The employment OF re-
ligious means was stroke Of genius, as
those means elevate the movement from
enthusiasm that no other means could. TIE
US living in a great city where drinking
saloons abound, and the tavOrite expression
of good will and sociability is
an invitation to drink, it seems
like folly, nay, madness, for few
women to attempt a crusade against King
Alcohol-a monarch who has more subjects
than the Gar Of Russia or the Pope Of
Rome. But it is an undoubted fact that
these subjects are not all loyal, willing
ones. Many of them chafe against the
bondage in which they live and hate the
tyrant who degrades them. 1t is an &C.
knOwledged fact that the habitual use of
alcoholic drinks weakens the will power;
SO that numbers of unwilling slaves to this
vice would be gladly carried into sobriety
if it could be done in a way to spare their
selflove and personal dignity. Thousands
of habitual drinkers, not daily drinkers, not
confirmed drunkards, but men who treat
and are treated. and that frequently, to the
point Of intoxication, agree in their hearts
with Casio in wishing that courtesy
tainment." Others there are, of poetic ten
dencies yet phlegmatic remperaments, who
long sometimes TO spur their jaded minds,
tired of the prosaic and perhaps debasing
details OF their daily life, to higher
flights, and to win from the delusive excita-
ton Of alcohol fuller life, if it be but tenn
porary. Such men, if endowed with high
moral ideal, regard themselves after each
fall with emotions Of disgust propOrtioned
to the height Of the nature they have de-
graded. Men Of this stamp, as well as the
mere sinners for sociability's sake mentioned
above, would be gladly relieved OF the
responsibility Of resisting temptation: and
both classes would heartily unite with out
and out temperance men in rejoicing at the
success of any movement calculated to
lessen the temptations to intemperance,
which now abound all over this country.
The ladies engaged in this novel temper
ance war have doubtless studied the uues-
tion by the light of the most painful expe.
rience, and have received encouragement
from the various classes mentioned above
They have entered into the work with en-
thusiasm tempered by resolution, and thus
far seem to have achieved astonishing sue
cess. Reports from the various towns and
villages in Southwestern Ohio show that
victory follows their footsteps; some
times the very saloon keepers themselves
succumbing to their influence. and not only
closing their shops, but actually joining the
movemen: and giving it their hearty sup.
port and encouragement.
Notwithstanding tnls seeming success,
however. and the goodness of the cause, We
think these ladies have gone the wrong way
to work. 1t is, however they may attempt
to disguise it by psalm singing and praying,
a resort TO force. and force is hot the weapon
with which to achieve moral victories. To
succeed in holding what it has gained, force
must be unremitting in its exertions, unin.
terrupted in its exercise, or it finds the van
quished again afoot and armed. These
ladies. no matter how extensive their Or
ganization. can not continue their labors
long nor steadily. They have other duties
to attend to besides closing rum shops, and
as soon as they intermit their labOrs for
other drinking houses will spring
up in place Of the closed ones, and the work
will all have to be done over again. Like
the stone Of Sisyphus their task will prove
endless, unless they can devise some other
means to accomplish it than persistent .eli.
gious annoyance.