Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-01-14
For the Gallipolis Journal.
The Temperance Movement.

We are all aware that there is 4
powerful enemy in our land. On
either hand thousands are falling by
the hand of this relentless foe.
Thousands more, all bleeding and
torn, are groaning beneath the
power of. his blood stained hands.
Strong, brave men seem powerless to
resist his onward march. In almost
every city, town and hamlet IN this
land of ours we meet the victims of
this fell destroyer Thousands of
wives, mothers and innocent chill
dren are groaning beneath the OPP
pressive hand of this cruel foe.
Much of the commerce of the ma
tion is prostItuted to his service. The
toll, labor and sweat of millions of
our race is claimed and held by this
oppressive tyrant. The broad acres
of our rich and extended valleys,
where God intended that food for the
teeming thousands that crowd our
shores should be supplied, are prosti-
tuted to furnishing sustenance or sup
plies for this internal monster.
What shall he done to stay the on
ward march of this powerful enemy,
has been the cry for the last few
months. There has for years been
some resistance made to the en-
croachments and dcvastations of this
hateful monster. But until recent
ly this resistance has been made eX-
clusively by the men. Our mothers
and sisters, although the greatest suf-
ferers from this relentless enemy,
passively and quietly bore it all, and
seemed rightfully to belong. Quiet
ly and submisslvely our mothers and
sisters looked on, and beheld with
sorrow and shame the unsuccessful
efforts-the miserable failures of
those who consider themselves capa-
BILE of taking care of the affairs of
this Government. They heheld those
failures, and the triumphing of this
fell destroyer, until they felt that
passively submitting to the cncroach-
ments of this enemy had ceased to
be virtue. Then, in the greatness
of their might, in the spirit of their
mission, and in the strength of Is
rel's God, they burst the chains of
timidity and long established custom
and went out to battle with this
powerful foe.
For months they were successful,
and seemed in almost every en-
gagement to be triumphant. At
length, by powerful effort, the ene-
my rallied all his forces, and for a
time, has seemed to silence the bat
teries of their powerful rival. And
now this willy foe, this hateful mon
ster, perhaps feels that he has won
the battle and gained the victory.
But he must remember that the tri
umphing of the wicked is short. We
trust our mothers and sisters are not
idle; that they are gathering sup
plies and recruits, are drilling and
arming for the conflict. And as the
flowers of spring come forth from
their hiding place, and earth puts
on her robes of green, will come out
from their winter quarters, and in the
strength of the God of battles, 90
out to contendagainst this powerful
foe; and never falter or quit the
field until all have deserted the camp
of the enemy, and joined their shin
ing ranks.
Mothers, sisters, be not discour-
aged. Although the conflict may be
long and fearful, although months
and years may pass ere the conflict
ends, and the victory is won, God
will be your strength, and in the pill
low of cloud by day and fire by night,
will lead you on to certain victory.
You gave your sons and brothers,
perhaps some of you your husbands,
to the cause of our country and hu-
manity, when You adjusted their
wardrobes, bid them good bye, and
saw them leave the paternal roof,
perhaps forever, to subdue the re-
belllon and burst the fetters that
bound millions of the human race.