The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-06-26

the PERSONAL TlXltS, PURSES. anu Wclidic
Of citizens in whose behalf we pray.
Your petitioners are students Of Gods
law ard word, and in them we do not
find that feeble citizens are appointed
victims for rayages and destruction for
money gain, neither that strong citi-
zens are therein permitted Oc commits
stoned to make gains by committing
wrongs upon the people. Therefore,
we earnestly entreat of YOU, the guard
and shield of law and the legal forbid
ding of the liqor traffic for the safety Of
all l-citizens.."
The children, made acquainted with
the full meaning of hispetition, sent it
with high degree Of enthusiasm, to
the Legislature Of Ohio.
Our women, in their upwavaTing zeal
and persistent efforts to get this tenn
perance education bill through the
Legislatures of the different States and
Territories, have had varied and often
irving experiences. Bot the work Was
of paramount importance, and they
must not fail If unflinching labor would
obtain the desired result.
The w. c. 7. U. Of the State of
Missouri, after succeeding in ;he pas
sage of the bill, but with weakening
proviso, Knowing that the st. Louis
schools were under a special charter.
directed their efforts to that object
First, to influence the teachers to in
struct in this branch to the extent of
the Law; then, laboring with super
intendents and committees, they atiast
obtained, in part at least, what they
sought. can hardly forbear quoting
from the superintendent Of this depart
ment for st. Louis, az given in the
Union Signal.
After touching upon their hard
work through inclement weather,
wearied and with aching hearts, hoping
yet fearing" she says: ."At last, one
afternoon, when we were shut up in a
little room with the committee on
course of study, one gentleman moved
to introduce into the several grades of
the public schools the study af
physiology and hygiene with special
reference to the effects of stmulants
and narcotics. A prompt II second
the motion" came from another friend,
but when the German from the first
ward moved to amend by striking out
the words, with special reference"
ETC., our hearts were sad. However,
the amendment was unanimously car.
ried, and we had faith enough in our
friends to believe they did the best
they could. The committee stood five
in favor Of the original motion, and two
against, but we had not so many friends
in the board, and a unanimous report
from the committee would insure a
favorable report in the board. Then
we went to the board meeting when the
subject came up. The room was filed
with our women, some gentlemen, and
tobacco smoke. 1t seemed from the
first some of the saloon men were deter
mined to smoke us out, but they didn't.
We remained, and heard one, Bode-
mann Of Bodemann's garden, make his
little speech; it was little in more ways
than one. lie declared we made 40 per
cent on the books, and that we wanted
to teach only prohibition. This was
the same speech he made before the
Legislature when the subject was be-
fore them. The report Of the commit
tee was carried by vote Of % to a..
doctors, Lawyers, business men, and
one saloon man voting III favor OF the
study. We attended the committee
meeting to hear the books discussed,
heard every other thing in the universe
debated, then they went into executive
session, which we understood to say,
Ladies, you may be excused" Week
after week they met and adjourned
without recommending book. Mon
day, April ~. however, they decided to
recommend Barnes Health Primer"
for third and fourth grades, Apple
tons How We Live'' for eth, sixth,
and seventh, and in the high school the
revised temperance edition OF Hutch
inson's Physiology and Hygiene. This
gives Barnes book to 1900 children at
once. we consider we have gained a
great victory, and will rest for time,
then try for Barnes book in all the
grades"
Does it pay to be at all the expense
and trouble that these efforts are de-
manding that the children may learn
what effects alcohol and narcotics have
on the system? One under the in
Auence of an overwhelming delusion
may deliberately choose the path to
suicide, but to the mind unclouded and
purpose clear life is the great goal, its
significance proportioned according to
the spiritual advancement of that mind
and purpose. Believing death to body
and soul within the cup, one already
under that influence will eagerly grasp
and swallow its contents. No love OF
father or mother, wife or child, no love
of life, no finger of warning can avail
between him ard the fatal cup. Free
from that influence, yet made
acquainted with it's terrible results, few
if any, would so deliberately take the
steps to such goal. Yet, in uncon-
sciousness Of any evil effects to follow
ignorant and unbelicving as to the true
r.ature Of these alluring draughts, how
easy the step Of the boy from the safe
to the fatal path, to yield to the lrsi
temptation that meets them in seem.
ing friendly way! And who shall say
that the difference between thoce two
steps 50 easily taken shall not be the
diderence between the brightness q,
Heaven and the dark abodes OF hell
Instances are on record to show the
Y - T.