Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-02-23

our aruOf III righteous cause,
And labors to secure good laws,
The warfare you have waged sc long
Against that great and crying wrong
The liquor traffic the cursd blight
That upholds wrong and crushes right,
Your earnest efforts will, l say,
Bear their rich fruits some future day,
II you but stand, and still endure,
Ere lorg the virtuous and the pure,
When they your selt-devotion see,
Your faiih, your hope, your charity
Will from their duties no more flee,
But will to your assistance speed,
And help the cause by word aud deed.
Old Leetown Lodge! My brethren dear!
You will stand firm Il have no fear;
Too many tempests You have braved,
Too many storms have round you raved,
Your little barque has rode the waves
Which others sunk in watery graves;
You've trodden over rugged roads,
And carried many heavy loads,
You've stood alone, feeble band,
Against the wealthy of the land,
You've stood beneath contempt and
scorn,
And dire neglect, hard to be borne;
You've seen your brethren oft desert
And turn again to do you hurt;
You've struggled on, faithful few,
Who even to their pledges true,
Have kept their banner waving high,
Aud still gave fourth their baltle-cry,
"Down with all liquors, DO or die"
And now that victory you have gained,
And sure footing here obtained,
Will you now falter? never! no!
AS soon in June I'd look for snow
AS Leetown Ledge to waver now.
Then on, my brethren, forward go,
Your cause is certain though It's slow,
The time is coming when you'll reap
Where you have sown, so do not sleep.
But /, your brother, what is left
For me to do since from you cleft?
No work there seems for me to do,
Though to our cause / still am true.
| stand alone, no social band
Of brethren nigh to take my hand,
No temperance brothers smile / greet
When walking long the busy street;
No stirring temperance songs hear
My dropping spirits e'er 10 cheer;
No temperance speaking, no debates,
No July pic mic me awaits
For temperance all is darkness here,
'Tis Vhtsksy siraigh or Loger Beer.
Whereer | turn my eyes | meet
That brazen sign upon the street;
The Beer Saloon and Whiskey Bar
Are seen around one near and far;
The bloated topers loll about,
And tipping youngsters laugh and shout;
The noxious fumes from still'ries rise
Like poisoned incense to the skies;
The brewries taint the vital air,
And health and life of all impair;
Such are the scenes that greet my sight
Where'er | turn to left or right
Your mansion proud, that lifts us high
It's marble front TO passers by.
Was purchased by the orphans tears,
The widows groans, and parents fears;
It's there the rich distiller dwclls,
And in i'll gotten wealth there swells.
Your carriage with its sparkling pair,
In which that lady, fat and fair,
Reclines with such pompous air,
That carriage with its team was brought
BY the poor drunkard and the sot.
That is the liquor dealers wife,
Sprung from the lowest dregs of life,
Her husband kept low grog shop,
She carried out the filth and slop,
He by his wicked traffic throne,
Aud soon as wholesale dealer strove,
And now with thousands at command
He is a nabob of our land,
And in the city council shines
BY his bad grammar and good wines.
Such are the scenes | cannot shun;
With such my daily race is run;
With headling purpose all engage,
The almighty doHar is the rage;
For this men strive and chat and lie,
And sinful live and wicked die.
In this hot struggle wealth to gain.
Sad disappointment, woe and pain
Are all vast numbers e'er obtain
How selfish is a city life
Such grasping, toll and angry strife
That each his neighbor may outshine-
These are their Gods aud things Divine
Grown weary Of the sickening Sight
My thoughts revert with true delight
To pleasant days I've spent with you
In working for our cause so true.
Our motives were not selfish then;
We sought the good of fallen men,
To drive dread ruin from our land,
Snatch from the fire the burning brand.
To lead our youths in wisdom's path.
TO serve them from that day of wrath,
Such was our work; SO pure, SO high,
No selfish thoughts could e'er come
nigh
Dear brethren how I envy you a +
Who still this noble work can do:
Whilst /, cntl off from genial ties
Can only bid my prayers arise.
For your success, aud for the time