Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-07-23

WHOSE BUSINESS Is IT1

sis it not my business" says the
dainty woman of the world. OF course
this vulgar excess is a bad thing. but
there can be no harm IN the use of
little wine, now and then, while the ap-
petite of the husband, son or brother at
her side is getting past control.
at is not my business" says the
gay, young girl as she gives her society
or herself, to some man who has the
trail of the serpent on body and soul.
at is not my business" say the men
in commercial life these men buy our
goods, put their money in our banks,
patronize our manufactures, and we
cannot sacrifice our business.
at is not my business" say Office
holders and Office seekers; these lower
classes will drink, but their votes are as
good as anybody's: then, was elected
to serve my party, not to go into moral
reform, and am not pledged in any way
to the temperance cause; 1 have done
my duty when represent my constitu-
ency."
at is not my business, says the ed
itor, when some mysterious voice CON-
mands him to write the truth. "Here
are six hundred dollars worth of ad-
vertisements of the liquor trade in my
paper ;" and so the careless influence of
the press is on the wrong side.
1T is not my business" says the
church, sit is political question: even
good people are divided upon it, and it
will disturb our peace. We will try to
save the people who come to US, but we
cannot go to the saloons after them"
Meanwhile, the saloon comes to the
church with its influence, and boys from
the pews are drawn into the awful
whirlpool.
alt is not my business says the pas
tor, )" II try to preach the Gospel, but
there is A and B, they own stock in this
business, and Y rents his block for a
liquor store. if l should be plain, and
they are very good men, after all.
ut is not my business" say they all,
and so the slaughter of home. morality,
and life goes on.
All, did we say /; nay, not all. at is
our business" said the wives, mothers
and sisters of Ohio on their knees before
God. at is our business" echoed the
pallid lips of the women of many States,
and they went out in throngs to plead
alike with those who drank, and those
who sold; to plead with strong meD
to arouse themselves, and with the law
making power for protection, and to
so plead with God that they dare tc
put Him in the reckoning when they
say, 1t is our business
What good has been accomplished
The curse is with you yet some good
laws have been repealed, some bad one'
, made, and the right has been trampleC
down with impudent scorn.
This it has done it has shown tina
, the strong holds of this traffic are appe
tite and avarice.
! The first, by early education and tn
grace of Christ, can be controlled ant
overmastered.
The second, is in the realm of law
e and one day, not far away, natiena
? power will crush business that like
: vulture feeds on blood.
: This more it has done
s 1t has simplifed the great probleI
: by lifting above the divided ranks of a
o temperance people, this simple stand
o ard; Total abstinence for the indiviC
|. ual total prohibition for the State, an
}, call all to the battle, who dare to sa
j. on that line; 1t is Gods business an
II it is ours.-Ow Union.