Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-24
AN ADDRESS
10 the People Of the United states.
icy REQUEST.

Il H
Impressed with deep conviction that an
urgent exigency has arisen in the
history of the temperance cause, large
number of persons IN all parts of the land
have expressed the opinion that new Or
ganization of the temperance forces should
be effected on broad basis, to conserve and
give direction to this important reform. For
this pnrpose, after extensive consultation,
naeeting was held in Boston, January /,
1868, at which "a National League, (uon-
partisan and non-sectarian) for the Suppress
sion OF the Liquor Traffic" was organized.
under whose direction We now address the
public.
A great contest is upon US. A dire and
bsrbsrous foe seeks to throttle the Republic,
and no weak, doubtful or one-sided meas
ures Win suffice. The times call for COM
bination on broad basis of unity.
History abounds in instances OF the usur-
patton and tyranny of oGgarchies which
were OWrthrown only by the uprising of the
people. A formidable institution, familiar
" called the Liquor Traffic, exerts domi-
nant, dsadly influence in American society:
Its tyrsk knizing power is felt in politiees and
ieeislstion, in courts and juries, IN trade
and finance, in literature and science, in
schools and colleges, in social and religious
life. An oigarchy of nearly two hundred
thousand men, engaged in the sale OF intox-
icants, presume 10 claim the responsible
ties and privileges of government over fifty
millions of people. How far it bas succeeded
in exercising its fatal sway is only too pal
pable in the. evidences Of wretchedness,
crime and ruin, all around us.
Only united movement Of the people
can overthrow this malignant despotism.
To combine, so far as possible, all present
efforts, and to create new agencies for de-
Iivering society from the evils which have
proved inseparable from the trade III intoxi-
cants, this National League has been form.
ed. Its members do not think it wise to
commit the organization to any political
party, nor to form new one. AS matter
of history, they remember that oligarchies
are usually overthrown by the people, and
not by divided partizan action. The mem
bers of this League therefore do not favor
entangling this reform with par:izau affiiab-
tons They believe their purpose will ae
soonest and best secured by keeping it clear
of all such embarrassments.
The work of the League must be largely
to create and intensity plblic sentiment,
seeking to build it up from the bottom line
of true reform. Intelligent convictions in
the hearts of the people, with Gods bless
ing, afford the only sure basis on which de-
iyerance from the alcohol curse can be rea-
sonably expected. To produce, strengthen
and enliven such convictions will be a large
part of our work The needed legislation
and enforcement of law will surely follow.
Public sentiment soon shows itself in legis.
lation and administration. We propose to
build the pyramid not from the apex, but
from the base.
This League also invokes and expects to
maintain the sanction of law, in what they
are willing to call crusade against this
great organized evil so much to be dreaded
in the land. The dealers in liquors ask
that they may be left to the same laws which
rovern other trades But when man sells
an article the use of which takes away his
Judgment of him who buys he must not ex-
uect to be left to the laws which govern 9TH
er tradesmen, for the State must interpose
and insist upon protecting those who are
thus made unable to protect themselves.
1t is said that common business and a
common peril unite the dealers in liquors
with bond which makes it sure that they
will act as oue2 We propose to unite
against them a hundred times as many
men, who believe that the liquor traffic
brings grievous calamrues TO the land. We
shall use every prudent and right method to
carry out out our purpose, and ask all good
people, men and women Of all parties and
creed, to Join us in such endeavors.
DANIEL DoRCHESTER Boston, President.
ALBERT H. PLUME. Boston, Recording
Secretary,
MRs. j. ELLEN FOSTER, Clinton, Iowa,
General Secretary.
JosrrH D. Weeks, Pittsburg, Pa, Treas,
urer.
SO Broomfeld St., Boston, January II, 'S5.