Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-01-12

STAND FIRM

GHAEB lively engaged in moral
<areforms when they stop
G1I 10 think whether their
way is the right way.
During long struggle, these times of
reflection are apt t. be brought about
again and again by the opposition of
otherwise good men, whose criticisms
have the effect OF wet blanket
Thus it was in the days of the Revo-
luton. and also during the late Rebel
lion. Men grew weary at times when
they counted the est and felt the bit
ing opposition with which they had to
contend.
Men and women engaged in reform
movement must have grit. Mere sem
timent will not tide them over the
dark days. At the outbreak of the Re-
beliion Horace Greeley was willing to
let the Southern States secede under
certain conditions. But not so with
Ben Wade, Zack Chandler, and others.
Greeley was very kind-hearted man,
opposed to bloodshed. and was fright
ened at the thought of the results that
would follow the policy Of such men as
Wade and Chandler.
All sorts of men are needed in an eff
fort to right gigantic wrong. At
first, kind winning men are required
men who can plead like women, and
get at the hearts of those who are made
of sterner stuff. But there comes a
day when these must take hack seats,
and men of nerve take hold of affairs.
MIR. Garrett Smith was just the man
to inaugurate tile Anti-Slavery move
ment: but when the result of his teach
ings burst upon the Nation like a
storm-cloud, in The great rebellion, his
head began to swim, and he retreated
to an asylum. Grand man; but he had
not enough of what is called "bull-dog
gripD to keep him up to the mark.
Lots of education, deep conviction of
what his duty was; out not quite
enough of physical power and endur-
ance to put him through the trying
ordeal, Gen. Grant, without tythe
of his moral convictions on the slave
question, was nevertheless much |
more valuable man when force had to |
take the place of persuasion.
Every once i'm a while dark clouds |
appear on the horizon of the Local OPP |
ton movement. Men, capable of MAX |
ing observation, say, Look out for
squaiIsW The naturally timid do not |
feel like getting drenched, and are apt |
to seek cover, either in taking no active
part or in reconsideriDg the whole
question to see if they have not been a
little too quick in arriving at conciu- |
sions. At this juEeture Island Firm" |
should be heard ringing in the ears Of
every refOrmer.
Why not stand firm? Surely what |
was right i'm principle yesterday is
right to-day and also tomorrow.
When the "shakes" come over you |
lean against some strong man. 1t is |
good thing to find strength in your
neighbor. Men of the same opinions
should often talk with one another, II
helps to build up wall that can Fever
be overthrown.
Stand Fif8al When? NOac! How
the Nation groans to be delivered from
its present burden! What are you do
ing, kind reader. to uphold the hands
of those who are trying TO put own
the curse OF intemperance? Are you
watching and waiting" for the hour
when victory shall appear to be nenr
at hand before you begin to fight, or
are you doing now what your hands
find to do?
The minutes are passing Into hours
the hours into years; and still the
damning curse holds up IFS head in
defiance! When 1t shakes it's CORY
flyers at you, do you quail and as k to
be excued? Will you now stand like
rock against all clap-trap, and continue
to vote and TO pray until the day dawns
when the children of America shall
ak the question" What was Il soloon?n
A business that instils disrespeet for
law should perish by the law.-EUon-
gelicat Messenger.
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