Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-08-02

Interest in temperance matters does
not creep, it does not saunter, it does
not walk, it does not run; it gallops
nowadays. The rapidity with which
great changes are being effected in pub
lie sentiment is noteworthy. In Phil
adeIphia, for instance, who could have
supposed that SO radical an application
of the High License laws would have
been made. The topic is one of those
that met with serious consideration at
the Woman Suffrage Convention i'll
Washington. The Supreme Court of
the United States is constantly having
temperance cases before it. The legis-
lative bodies of New Jersey ard New
York, as well as that of PenusJ lvania.
little longer since, have been driven
to debate temperance measures. In
Congress, not only as affects the Dis
trict of Columbia, but as touching the
relation of the question to the whole
Nation, new spirit is awakened. The
issue is being more clearly defined, and
the pro-liquor people and their antago-
nists are being ranked with greater
exactness, vagueness of sentiment be-
ing no longer acceptable by either par
ty. The opposition to temperance leg.
islation is developing, and the liquor
interests are placing great sums of
money at the disposal of their advo-
Gates, and are preparing, by careful
organization. to defeat temperance leg.
islation, and to obstruct temperance
work through the courts. AS Christ
mas Evans would say, the very activ-
ity of Satan's messengers is an indica-
ton of unusual need for their services.
A Respondent, wailing, hopeless tone
Is noticeable in the utterances from the
liquor camp. Beside the old forms of
contest with the drink demon, new
forms haye sprung into being, show
ing wondrous vigOr. The Woman's
Christian Temperance Union and the
Law and Order Leagues w ere unheard
of few years since. The political as
poets of the question are being widely
discussed. All temperance people are
whole drink traffic and in the abolition
of the whole nuisance. There is need
of those who insist upon an immediate
pressing of the demand for prohibition,
and of their sharp, stinging words and
cutting invectives. The ultra-Prohi-
bitionists are required to keep US from
ever being content with anything short
of the teetotal sweeping out of the bus
mess. But there is need of every other
temperance worker even to the mildest
of protestaHts against the drink curse.
There is decided need of those who
shall seize upon every opportunity, as
it presents itself in high license or local
option, or in any other form, to restrain
and restrict the liquor trade There is
need of preventive work in education
and in enlisting the young. There is
need of persuasive work with the drink
er. There is need of the tolls of those
who would, with Argus-eyed vigilance,
compel the saioon-keeper to obey the
law, that his place shall be made as
little of trap as may he for the un-
wary. There is need for those who
shall urgently and unwaveringiy de-
mand the entire suppression of the sa'
looms, whose cry shall be, "The saloons
must CO." There is need of those who
shall keep iiligent watch to seize upon
every available means to prevent the
curse from running the people of uner
lightened lands. In Livingstone;
words, but as applicable to this occurs
ed business as to the slave-stealiDg, VIZ
say, MAY Heavens richest blessing
come down on everyone who Will hell
to heal this open sore of the world. p
National Baptist.