Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-01-04

ark, N. J., Oct. %. 1876, and unani-
mously approved and adopted by the
Belmont County Temperance Conven-
tion in Bellaire, Nov. 23d, 1876:
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, Our organization, "The Wo-
mans National Christian Temper
/ ance Union" began in, consecration
tu God, and our work thus far has
been essentially one of faith and
prayer; therefore,
! Resolved, That we realize more deep
ly than ever, our own helplessness in
1 this great battle, and our entire depen-
dence upon the leadership and wisdom
| OF the Lord, and that our platform
everywhere and always continues to
! recognize that our work Is effectual on
| ly as it is done in His name and power.
Whereas, The purpose of government
in the protection of the rights and in
! terests of all classes over which it ex-
ercises control;
! And whereas, IN this country the very
power which should thus protect, is
against our solemn psotesf sacrificing
through the liquor traffic, our homes,
! husbands, brothers, sous and daught-
ers, with all other things dear TO US
as women, receiving in retuln rev.
erence for its own support; therefore,
Resolved, That by prayer, persuasion
and petition we will seek to influence
those strong holds of power, the Nation
al Congress, State Legislatures, and
munich al authorities, whence the rum
shop derives its safe guard, and its
guarantees, and
| Resolved, That to this end We will
combine our efforts to secure such legis-
latiOn as shall require tie liquor deal
erS in every Stale except in such States
as have Prohibition Law in actual force,
| to obtain the signatures of a majority
of women over tive nty-One years of
age, as we'll as that of the voters, of any
locality, before opening place for the
sale of Intoxicating drink.
Resolved, that we recommend to all
the Slate Unions, that they shall to the
best Of their ability, secure the presen-
tation of Il petition to this end before
the National Congress and State Legis-
lature of this land at their first sessions,
in the first year of the new century,
presenting them simultaneously in the
different States, in connection with
mass meetings in the various capitals.
Resolved, That in all its works and
methods, the W0msn's National Chris
tian Temperance Union recognizes on
ly one foundation principle, viz: total
abstinence for the individual, and total
prohibition for the State, and that we
will urge upon the men in our homes
and social circles, their great response
bility as patriots to remove the cover
of law, by the election of only temper
ance men to office-the enforcement of
all existing statutes against it, and the
enactment of such new ones as shall re-
suit in the complete overthrow of this
evil. t. at a.
Whereas, The public press is a
mighty engine Of influence in our land,
therefore, a-sr .,.af.1
Resolved, That we will endeavOr by
regularly systematized efforts to reach
the press, especially the eountrylpapers,
and the religious ones, through the al
vertising agencies in New York and
elsewhere, and by all other practicable
means; aud that the Secretaries of the
State and Local Unions be urged to at
tend to this matter. .r.
Resolved, That the ruinous work be-
ing done in our Colleges and Univer-
sites, by intemperancs should arouse
our greatest fears, and awaken our
highest efforts TO secure such moral in
fluence, and such legislation, as shall
protect the giftest sons of the Republic,
from this course which makes all cul-
ture vain, all lite failure.
Resolved, That the system called
"treating," so prevalent in America, is
a social stronghold of intemparance,
many young men learning to drink in
the beginning, and being led to excess
1 by the pres sure of this custom, and that
we recommend the preparation of
a pledge against it, to be carefully and
persistently circulated. .sa
Whereas, The liquor traffic is more
directly chargeable with the moral de-
graduation of woman than all other
causes combined !; therefore,
Resolved, That we should take seri-
Ously and prayerfully' into our efforts,
the women who through personal hab-
its, or base associations of drunkenness
have gone down, and that we feel it
our especial duty to work with munich
pal authorities in opposition to the So
called "waiter girl saloohs,' 'svarie-
ties" &c, where the twin vices of
drunkenness and licentiousness go hand
! in hand. sl,.
Resolved, That we recommend more
prosecution of the work of establishing
"W0man's Christian Temperance
Union" in every city town and village
of our country; and earnestly invite So
cieties not auxiliary to become so, be-
lieving that next 10 right family train
ing and example, women can accOIn-
plish more in the cause of temperance,
with Gods blessing, by such Organiza-
tions than in any other way and
Resolved, That no efforts to support
lunch and reading rooms should be al
lowed to interfere with the spiritual
aspects of our work.
Resolved, That we recommend each
Individual church to arrange to look
after all places of intemperance, and all
incorporate persons. so far as practical
BILE, in its own vicinity, the more as aa
such effort has been followed by re-
vival in the church, and information
among the wretched, and must, If uni
versally adopted, create right public
sentiment, which is the only perma-
nent basis of right laws.
Resolved, That acknowledging the
National Christian Temperance Camp
| Meeting Association as an efficient
agency in promoting the cause OF tenn
perance in our country, we give to it
our hearty sympathy and cooperation.
Resolved, That for the education of
the public mind, we recommend the
constant and abundant circulation Of
Temperance literature, with which Hon.
Neal Dow says, "The State of Maine
was sown knee-deep before it got Pro-
hibition."
Resolved, Finally, that we earnestly
recommend much prayer and Gospel
work as our most efficient means of
accomplishing our great ends. .E
Observation-Disclosures that the use
of alcoholic wine Is contrary to the
spirit of Gods word, and that its use In
the Lords house and in His holy ordi-
nances give moral support and re-
spectability to the liquor traffic, which
stultifies our nlaa for fntal abstinence