The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-07-31
Tl,e remnernrea AiI,anee.

Mr.. EDIToR-By the instructions of the
Salem County Temperance Alliance was
appointed to write up the interests of the
Alliance. As | have nothing at hand to
give a synopsis Of its past doings, shall
be under the necessity Of writing without
any reference to its past historical record.
1t might be well to take glance at the
reasons for its being brought into exist
ence. Temperance organizations had been
doing a good work and very many hard
blows had been given. The Washington
ians, Sons of Temperance, Racabites, Tenn
pie Of Honor. and later the Good Templars,
had been doing effective work But
each of these had been working in
their own respective ways, without
any regard to unity of action. As
yet there had been no special direct
concert Of action by the churches.
Very many among the various denomina-
tiens felt that something more must be
done than what had been done As they
viewed it, the work of the past had proved
Inefficient from the want Of this. Con-
stantly the power Of the evil was increas-
ing and continued aggressive in its work.
Money was used while its growth was rap
idly developing. So terrible had become
its advance that thousands felt the impor-
lance of building fence around it and at
tempting to break its power by the force
of law. To secure this end unity of action
was essential and this unity of action
must come from the churches. Hence
there was brought into existence an organ
izaton that was called the Christian
Temperance Union. BY thus banding
together, the benefit and the counsel Of
the best minds would be brought into ac-
ton. For many years the work of the
alliance has been tending to bind this
Sampson with green withes and cords but
as often disappointment has come, for
when they thought their monster under
their power, by few simple movements,
lie has shown how futile their efforts. 1t
is but the repetition of the failures of the
past Each had strong hope, but in turn
were doomed to defeat SO also has it
proved with the work Of the Alliance. 1t
tried controlling license. but that failed
Then came up Local Option SO strong
was the confidence Of many that they saw
success only Just before them. but phan-
tom like. it has moved onward, and those
who trusted in it are doomed TO disappoint-
ment. Even where it became a law, only
partial success has attended its workings.
The enemy 50 completely hold the ground
as Ia entirely surround it. The chance of
subiugatin. him IS as eight TO one. Money,
iRhft- law itftibHN anu iAtttSIisioh
among the professional Temperance work
ers divide and weaken the cause. Even
in the best days Of the workings of the
Alliance there has not been one working
in and for il where there ought 10 have
been seventy-tiye. The almost universal
apathy has had wonderful blighting
effect towards the advancement Of the
cause. Men who profess to be temperance
men do just nothing but profess. In fact
the case is worse than this Not only will
they refuse To do anything themselves, but
they are careful to exert such an influence
as to worse than neutralize all the good.
or nearly all. that others try to do. Just
look in upon our meetings-only few at
tend While they do the best they can,
men who lay claim to be good temperance
men stand OFF and sheer, and say the Al
lance is run in the interests of few
fanatics They spurn them because
they view things from what to them, seems
a better standpoint J. WTLeox
Elmer. July Both. 1855.