The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-02-05
ADVERTISING RATES
An Address to the People Of tie
United State.

Impressed with a deep convic-
tiOn that an urgent exigency has
arisen in the history OF the temper
ance cause, large n4trner OF per-
sons in all parts Of tha land have
expressed the opinion that a new
organization rf the TEMPERANCE
forces should be effected on a broad
basis, To conserve ana give direc-
ton 10 this important reform For
this purpose, alter extensive con
sultatioD, meeting was held in
Boston Jan. |, 1885, at which "A
National League (nOn- partisan and
non n-sectarlan) for the Sup,., ion
of the Liquor TrafIic." wa organ
ized, under whose direction We now
address the public.
A great contest is upon US. A
dire and. barbaious tua seeks TO
throttle the republic, and no weak,
doubtful or one-sided measures will
suffice. The times call tor comhj-
nation, on a broad basis of unity.
History abounds in Instances of
the usurpation and tyranny of oil
garehies which were overthrow on
ly 10y the uprising of the people.
A formidable institution, famlliarly
called the Liquor Traffic. exerts a
dominant, deadly influence in
American society. Its tyranizing
power is felt in politics and legisla-
tion, in courts and juries, in uade
and finance, in literature and sci
ence, in schools and colleges, in So
clal and religious life AN oil
garchy of nearly two hundred thou.
sand men, engaged in the sale of in
tOxicants, presume 10 claim the re-
sponsibilities and privileges Of gov
ernment over fifty millions of peo-
pie. How far it has succeeded in
exercising its fatal sway is only too
palpable in the evidences of wretch
edness, crime and ruin all around
US. Only united movement of the
people can overthrow this malig-
nant despotism. To continue, so
far as possible, all present efforts,
and to create new agencies for de
livering society from the evils
which have proved inseparable
from the trade in intoxicants, this
National League has been formed.
Its members do not think it wise to
commit the organization TO any po-
llticai party, nor to ,rm q new
one. As a matter of history, they
remember that oligarchies are usu.
ally overthrown by the people, and
not by divided partizan action.
The members Of the League there
fore do not favor entangling this
reform with partizaA afilliation.
They believe their purpose will be
sooner and best secured by keep
ing it clear of all such embarass-
ments.
The work of the League must be
largely TO create and intensity pub
lie sentiment, seeking to build 1t
up from the bottom line of true re-
form. Intelligent convictions in the
hearts OF the people, with Gods
blessing, afford the only sure basis
on which deliverance from the al
cohol curse can be reasonably ex-
pected. To produce, strer gthen
and enliven such convictions will he
a large part of our work. The
needed Legislation and enforcement
of Jaw will surely follow. Public
sentiment soon shows itself in leg
islatiOn and administration. We
propose to build the pyramid not
from the apex, but from the base.
The League alsp invokes and ex.
poets TO maintain the sanction Of
law, in what they call a crusade
against this great organized evil so
much to be dreaded in the land.
The dealer in liquors ask that they
Iuay be left to the same laws which
govern other trades. But when
man sells an article the use Of
which takes away the Judgment of
him who buys, he must not expect
to be left to the laws which
govern other tradesmen, for tn,
state must interpose and .insisI
upon protecting those who are
thus made unable to protect them
selves
1t is said that a common bust
ness and a common peril unite the
dealers in liquors with n bond
which makes it sure that they will
act as one? We propose to unite
against them a hundred times as
many men and women, who believe
that the liquor traffic brings griev-
Gus calamities to the land. We
shall use every prudent and right
method to carry out our purpose,
aud ask all good people, men and
women, of all parties and creeds 70
join Us in such endeavors.
DANIEL DoRCHEsTER, Boston,
President,
A. II. PLUMB, Boston,
Recording Secretary.
Mrs. j. E. FOSTER, Clinton, To-,
General Secretary
j. ID. MEEKs, Pittsburg, Pa,
'Traaaupar