West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1886-02-10
From the Department OF Legfs.
IatiOn and Petition.
An Appeal to Our Temperance Wo-
DEAR SISTERS ::

| HtCfos
DEAR SISTERS:
At our Convention held in Graf.
ton in June, '65, 1 was again an.
pointed Superintendent of Legisla.
tive Work. Last year l urged 10.
on the Presidents of our different
Unions the necessity of securing
signatures to petitions asking of
our Legislature the submission to
our people of a Constitutional
Amendment prohibiting the man
ufacture and sale of intoxicants in
our State. Various causes com bin
ed to prevent the results we as
temperance women so earnestly
prayed for; but looking calmly over
the field, we have no cause to be
discouraged, or to doubt but that in
the near future our prayers will be
answered, and our young State take
her place side by side with her old
er sisterhood, who have won the
hard fought battle, and are now
enjoying the numerous blessings
attendant upon temperance Legis-
lation.
AS you are aware, we cannot this
year hope for an Amendment, as
our Legislature will not convene
until January, '87. But you are
also aware that a skillful General
looks over the field, finds out the
vulnerable points, strengthens his
defenses, and masses his forces
where they will prove most effec-
tive.
Then trusting to the God of bat
ties, he waits for victory to crown
his labors.
AsChristian women dear friends,
we are engaged in warfare more
potent in its results, farther reach
ing in it's effects, than the crusad-
ers of olden times. They fought to
wrest the Holy City from the con.
troll of the Saracen; IRE to recover
souls from the tyranny of King AL
cohol, rule more degrading in its
influence than Mahomedan or pa
gan superstitions. They, to build
up a temporal kingdom, aoe, to fit
immortal souls for the kingdom of
our Lord and Master.
For does not His law declare that
no drunkard can inherit the king.
dom of heaven? Can we not use
all our womanly efforts to fur
Their the cause, when by so doing
we can hasten the coming of that
day, when our Mountain State
shall be free from the shame OF
manufacturing and selling the
poison which brings sorrow to so
many homes in our midst, which
fills our prisons with criminals,
our streets with paupers, and ends
in death, temporal and spirit
ual, to its legions of victims?
Will you then, with the
noble Temperance women OF your
Unions, now plan your campaign
so as to insure victory all along the
line? Cultivate a Temperance
sentiment in your town and IN
your homes. Interest your bus
bands, sons and brothers in your
work. In your local elections, use
your influence only for pronounced
Temperance men, and you will be
surprised to find how much you
have accomplished.
Anon, representatives from your
several districts will be chosen 10
enact laws for our tate. And here,
dear friends, we will need to Dc
often found with our petitions az
the mercy seat, asking that ne
will so influence the hearts OIL
our people, that God fearing men,
who have the moral force to array
themselves on the side OF rlgh1
and humanity, may be chosen lop
that important position 2; ana WIZ
have discernment and wisdom 70
read the signs of the times aright,
realizing that should they fan 10
grant oar Petition they will only
delay, not discourage, the tempt
ance army, who will perslsten'ly
renew their attacks until Victory
for God and the right rests upon
Mrs. I. H. DUyAL,