The Van Buren press., 1875-08-31
The Temperance Cause.

/ Mn. EDiToR: As you have heretofore kind.
ly given space to articles on the subject Of
temperance. feel encouraged to ssk the pub
| lication Of a few words on the same subject.
Five or six ycafs ago, intemperance pre-
vailed to an alarming extent, throughout our
State but the determined and persistent ef-
forts OF small number of noble men and wO-
men united In various organizations, have
greatly diminished it. since then. Then. only
few were openly and boldly advocating the
holy temperance cause, for it was exceeding
ly unpopular and those engaged 1t were
sneered and insulted not only by the vulgar
but by the respectable and better class: but,
they, knowing the justice of their cause and
trusting in God for help, were none the less
undaunted and labored on faithfully. Now
they behold with Joy the abundant good fruits
Of their work. even in thousands added to the
temperance ranks. who are battling valiantly
against "accursed rum, many Of whom
were among its almost ruined victims; even
the driving of it from many localities, anu
the great revolution wrought in public opin-
ion to such n degree as the cause Is popular
all over the State.
These results are gratifying and encourag-
ing In the extreme, but the work does not end
| h~re-all that can be has not been accom-
pished and will never be thousands are yet
without the scope of our influence and still
exposed to the great destroyer. strong drink.
Indeed, the temperance work 10 \ Lifetime
work and let those engaged In It continue to
exert every energy they possess.
Among the towns where the efforts OF the
temperance advocates have been crowned
with great success, is our own town. Van Bu-
rem. Four years ago, when the present TEN
perance society was organized here, there were
large number OF tiplers, for it was fashion,
able and popular. and some of eur most tai
ented and promising young men had been
tipling so long and so freely, that they were
evidently on the brink of ruin. There was
considerable opposition shown to the temper
ance cause, and 1t was unpopular to become
member of the organization, yet there were
some who felt 1t their duty to do all they could
toward putting down the great evil and they
organized and went to work earnestly. The
fruits OF their labors were not manifest for
some time. Still they piled every energy
with undated zeal, until 4 rich harvest re-
warded them. Many joiaed the society. it
increased in numbers rapidly and steadily.
and now numbers over . hundred, and 1t is
acknowledged on all hands that much good
has been done, and hence public opinion Is
favorable to It. All Of which is worth reioic-
ing over and calculated to stimulate to great
cr eXcrtions.
Now, willie it is true that so much has been
accomplished. so many added to the cause and
such favorable opinion made upon the public
mind, there is still 4 great deal to be done
Not only outside Of the walls OF the temper
anee hall. but INSIDE toe. There are many IN
our town yet in danger Of ruin by strong
drink,and some who are members of the order
that are yet in jeopardy. 1t is an unpalatable
fact. that there are more salesns here to-
day than there wtre four years since. Why is
this so? | confess my inability to answer
this question altogether satisfactorily even tc
myself Nut to some extent, attribute 1t tC
the fact. that quite number OF members Wis.
1t the saloons and play billiards and cards
buy lemonade, cigars, etc, thus spending 4
great deal ofmoney, which helps keep up the
whiskey traffic. Hence, the work to be ac
complished In the order. As to how, need moi
now be discussed. And there Is two thing,
that may be gained by this duty to be per,
formed in the society, which are the reduc.
ing Of the number or all OF the saloons, and
thereby removing temptation and thus pre-
vent any one from falling again. 1t is no,
sufficient to stopa man from drinking a shor,
time and then let him die drunkard finally
but do all you can to make sober man out
of him for life. Let the society attend to this
no matter how unpleasant the task. 1t /. no,
prescribing the remedy only that cures the
disease but using it. and II the patient would
be cured he must swallow the bolus, IL it Ii
distasteful, and on refusing, rather than let
him die, force 1t down him But, why not the
memory o past danger, the fear oftemptation
warnings Of dear friends, teachings in
the society, cause all to shun the drinking
saloon as they would den Of poisonous rep
tiles9 ARIus.