The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-27
A Work for All.

Local agitation in favor of the temper.
ance cause is a work in which all can
unite. Ii is Il work i'm which all friends
of temperance should unite, for various
reasons. First, i'm such u work effort
can be made understandingly, that is,
each one knows where his influence
lies, and can apply himself lin that par
ticnlar direction with the consciousness
that he il not aiming amiss, as does the
phiianthropist often, i'm working among
committees unknown to him, personal
ly; and can perform the task with that
vim and hearty application born of per-
sonal interest, since no member of any
community exists but who has ut least
friend or relative ON the downward
way, for whom he feels a live, personal
solicitation. Again, the work can be
more accurately organized where all
concerned are fully acquainted with the
prevailing circumstances surrounding
them, each taking the part for which he
is best fitted, and all pressing on to-
gether with a oneness of sympathy
created by tins thorough understanding,
and with Il power of conviction to the
public that can he produced i'm n0 other
way.
The work of this nature which has
been conducted IN Mankato for the past
fortnight, rs peculiarly ~demonstrative OF
the reasonableness of the foregoing con.
illusions, and should convince the hest.
Eating, that local agitation has q great re-
formatory power when conducted with
persistency and T. u christian zeal. Lit.
erature is a potent factor i'm the work,
and often herIlds the teachings of tenn.
perance in localities which are beyonu
any other agent, but its effects are not
10 readily reaped; nor does il appeal &c
directly to the individuality of the
masses, as local effort. Ii does not 90 tC
the hearts of men and woman with tine
freshness of logic which is embodied in
the utterances of mel qualified for the
work and sanctiiied TO its perpetuation
The occasional appearance upon the
public platform OF some +, nowned apos
tie OF temperance, is etfectual, and helps
materially To enlarge mems conception
of the magnitude Of the reform i'm view
and To instruct the minds of his hearer
with regard 10 the more remote anC
fewer issues at stake, but the agitation
conducted by our " fathers, mothers
brothers, sisters, husbands, wives an,
neighborS is that which creates tn,
spirit of self inquiry, and stirs to thei
very depths, those impulses of our ma
ture that enthuse life into our self-re
spect, love of character and a taste 70
that which is refining, ennobling an,
GodlIke. When the young see thos,
who love them better than life itself
cast down in anxious grieffor their safe
ty from the running habit, they feel tin,
sudden impulse of all that rs manly o
womanly within their nature, urgin,
them Ia better and higher things, and j
is then the g%randest, the firmest, tn,
noblest and best kept resolutions O
their lives are made. 1t is then tina
impressions are received that can neve
be blOtted out, though influences dir,
and dreadful beat i'm massive waves O
|allurement against their bark, and tos
1t hither and thither on the shoals q
lNwickedIess.
Then, we urge upon each parent VIII,
has a child looking 10 him for care an,
direction. though il he vet prattling a
his knee, to consider well the work h,
doe in this local effort; and upon eacl
brother or sister who has younge of xii
about them held i'm the a~damantin,
chains of their stronger influence, (,
: look well To their mien, lest it SWAY TIN
weaker n 10 the side of ruin, eacl
neighber, teacher, guardian or other
VINO hold the responsibility of an infiu
ence over one or more of hns kind, is so
llcited 10 ponder wisely and well upol
the course they are taking before thei
fellows, that the future may not brin,
to their conscience II thrillof remorse 70
one wrongly led i'm the past, by thei
neglect to take Il stand for the right,