The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-07-06

not see this He does see it. There is not
day passes over our heads but the intelli-
genoe Of this American nation says "that is
too bad" "that is q fearful waste and enor-
nifty" The very men who are engaged In
il themselves know it, both buyers and sell
ers. There is no need TO open the eyes of
their intelligence to this matter they are
open, and the eyes of the poor victims are
| very often wide staring open.
But what does all this avail where the
moral sense is asleep, where conscience is
dead, and there is no great neral conviction
to enforce what is already too well known.
Does the mere fact of knowing remove the
evil? No. we might know ten thousand
times more than we do, andlwithout con-
science and strong moral conviction OF the
evil we would let il go on forever.
What We need is a revived and an aroused
conscience. How has il been in this town
for the last three or more years! We have
heard nlutterings, much talk in undertones
On every hand we have heard men speak OF
their knowledge of the constant growth of
this evil. We have talked about it, but what
did that amount to? Did that stay the tide?
No. While our conscience has been asleep
this evil has been spreading itself with alarm
ing rapidity. We knew it, YES the whole
town knew it, but conscience was not alive
to it, therefore the evil spread itself as 1t did.
What this town needs, what this entire
commonwealth needs is to so back, and
rouse up its conscience and bring II up
abreast of its intelligence when that is done
we shall get such hand on the neck of this
evil that We can master it, and ultimately
! throttle il.
| take it that this movement that is now
| 4 I, aIe &c Of
conscience arousing itself in the American
breast 1t is the voice of great moral con-
viction asserting its belief in the hereafter
intolerableness OF this evil. tits the heart and
soul of America rising up to take their places
beside intelligence. 1t is an educated and
vitalized sentiment coming to the front and
saying. "we know, and will enforce what we
know
Ny friends, l think the time has come for
an appeal to law. While conscience and
moral conviction have been asleep, the law
has slept. That was natural. There was
nothing TO rouse ii up. But put conscience,
belief in the eternal right into law, and
you make il a strong right arm, otherwise
you palsy it. and il has been sadly palsied III
! these years.
In the trial that lately went on III the court
house of this place. what was the real power
that wrought Justice? 1t was the moral con-
viction of the people of this community that
stood back of the law, energizing it, giving
strength to its right arm. 1t was heart and
soul ranging itself beside intelligence in be-
half Of a verdict that could not be disregard
ed. What we need then is an appeal 10 law
| in the name of conscience and moral con-
viction. Put conscience beside intelligence,
put heart with brain, put knowledge with
moral sense. Dignity law with moral great
ness, put the royal and imperial will of a
moral and intellectual people into the law,
and we shall have law that is power. a law
that moves with majesty, law to which we
can safely appeal in the right.
And now my friends, let me appeal to yon
to do your part as men, as patriots, as
philanthropists, as christian warriors. Re
member it is hand TO hand encounter; it
means battle at close range, il means that
you are off the skirmish line, and standing
before the face of the enemy. 1t means that
your weapons will be pistol and sword, law
and moral conviction.
Remember also that you are not alone in
this conflict the battle line ranges across this
nation. In it you will find all womanhood,
and the truest manhood. Legislatures and
political conventions are taking their places
in this line, or against it. 1t is battle line
that no true man can withdraw from and be
true.
Remember also that il is battle in behalf
of the purity and majesty of the law, and
every sacred right. 1t has to do with the in
tegrity of this nation and the destiny of this
God -honored and God-favored race. 1t has
to do with the heritage you leave your chill
dren. 1t has to do with every sacred duty
that you owe to God and your neighbor.
| Then be true and valiant. Let not this bat
tie line 60 on without you and me we shall
account for it here and hereafter if we do.
Here are we TO stay, We mean to fight it
out here in the name of intelligence, of con-
science and of law. "Be of good courage and
acquit yourselves like men," 1t is Gods
battle and humanity's.