Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-06-27
The Vice of Vices.
DemOrest's Monthly.

DemOrests Monthly.
The newspapers do not say much
about it, but it is a fact nevertheless
that the temperance movement is
making rapid progress in this coun-
try. One excellent feature of the agi-
tation is the demand for what is
called scientific temperance knowl-
edge in the public schools. In ten
States of the Union the children of
the common schools are instructed as
to the evil effects of alcoholic drinks
upon the human system. They will
leave the schoolroom fully posted as
to the evil effects Of intemperance in
drink, and it is a lesson they are
never likely to forget. Ignorance
and a desire to be social combined ac-
counts for a great deal Of the drunk
enness in the world we live in. All
who have the good of their race at
heart should see to it that the schools
are provided with books that impart
knowledge upon this all important
matter.
1t is to the credit Of women every
where that they are foremost in this
work Of temperance reform. They
have noble representative in Miss
Francis Willard, who has devoted
her life to pleading with her coun-
trymen and women to preserve the
coming generation from the curse OF
strong drink. She is a woman with
rare gifts of speech. Indeed, she is
one Of the most attractive orators in
the country.
Many christian women, finding
that legislators pay no heed to their
appeals because they have no votes,
have become advocates of female suf-
frage. They wish simply to impress
the laW-making power. ApropOs OF
suffrage for women, Gov. Francis f.
of Wyoming Territory, who is now
in Boston, writes as follows on the
practical workings Of woman suffrage
in that Territory, in letter address
ed to member of the Legislature OF
Massachusetts:
81 have been citizen of that Ter
ritOry ever since its organization,
while it was yet a part of Dakota.
And from my experience and obser-
walton | am compelled to say, in JUS
tice to the women of Wyoming, that
woman suffrage has not lowered the
grade of public officials in that Ter.
ritory. On the contrary, our women
consider much more carefully than
our men the character of the candi-
dates, and both political parties have
found themselves obliged tonominate
their best men in order to OBJ
tain the support of the Wo.
men. AS a business man, as d
city, county and Territorial officer,
and now as Governor of Wyoming
Territory, l have seen much of the
workings Of woman suffrage, but !
have yet to hear of the first case OF
domestic discord growing out of it
Our women nearly all vote, and since
in Wyoming, as elsewhere, the ma,
jority of women aregOOd and not bad
the result is good andnOt evil. While
| had no hand in passing the ACT
which gave to women this privilege
/ must acknowledge its success now
after fifteen years trial and will ado
that no attempt to repeal the law has
been made for ten years, and none ]
believe is contemplated A.; for theprac
teal workings of woman suffrage
commend it more and more to mer
and women as they understand il
better and know more of its fruits
1t has been productive of much goOC
in our Territory. If the women o
Massachusetts are as intelligent anC
public spirited as those Of Wyoming
land l have no reason to doubt they
|
are) their political influence will bt
for good government and public or
der. Certainly this is the case il
Wyoming"