River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-08-13
TEnlPEREpCE.
A White Heat

truth. but was fearfully cold. 1t was
the Gospel frozen ana fed out with a
teaspoon.
Much of the Temperance" talk of
the day is like that sermon. The
speaker or the writer is really "oppos-
ed to intemperance"-of course. He
is sorry for the drunkard, and would
like to help him. He sees that the sa-
loon keeper is very wicked, and the
saloon very dreadful. lie wishes
there were no saloons--at least not so
many. If he had his way, the saloons
would be abolished. But as he can
not have his way. he will "do the next
best thing"-let them stay. lie will
not go to extremes. He will not be
violent or excitable. He will do what
everybody will agree to, and he hopes
that in "the long result of time this
foul blot will be removed from the
face of civilization. lie cannot see
why any one should object TO such a
proper and discreet utterance, and
asks, "What would you have morep
Good sir, we would have firei You
will never do anything by hammering
at the cold iron of public opinion in
that style. Put it in the fire of intense
conviction, burning pity for the
tempted and the broken-hearted, and
hot Indignation at the destroyer! Then
when you strike, the sparks will fly,
and you can shape that public opinion
into sword that will smite the occurs.
ed saloon, hip and thigh, with unspar-
ing slaughter. The lack of fire is
what we object to.
A man walking across bridge sees
boy struggling in the water. ''Ah, F"
he exclaims, II pity that boy! It's a
dreadful thing to be drowned. 1t will
be very sad for that boys father and
mother. should sympathize with all
wise and well-directed efforts to save
that boy" Now, where is the fault
in these excellent remarks! Another
man rushes up in hot haste and pre-
pares TO plunge in, with blazing eyes
fixed ON the struggling boy. The first
man says, severely, ''Sir, this is very
undignilied and implolite behavior.
You almost knocked me down; and
you have flung your coat and boots
into that dirty pool. Sir, felt great
sympathy for that boy before you APP
peared, but your violent measures
nave destroyed all my interest, and
now don't care what becomes of
him."
If the rescurer gives hot answer,
can you blame him very muchl At
least, when he struggles ashore
with the rescued boy in his arms, you
will forgive him.
That has been the way with reform
ers in all ages. Garrison's Liberator
used to make Beacon street gentlemen
mad to the lynching-poi Wendell
Phillips polished sarcasm and invec-
tive cut SO deep that many time the
police had to see him home. Doubt.
less, these men were sometimes too
severe, yet the world does not now
remember that they hurt the feelings
of some people, but only that they
shook slavery down. How did Sheri-
dan turn the tide of battle at Cedar
Greek just twenty-four years ago! In
his own story of the victory he speaks
over and over of the worth of enthusi-
asm. lie says:
II already knew that even in the
ordinary condition of mind, enthusi-
asm is a potent element with soldiers;
but what L saw that day convinced me
that if it can be excited from a state
of dependency, its power is almost
irresistible.
Flashing past the crowd of fugitives,
waving his hat, shouting, Face the
other way, boys, face the other way!
one man all ablaze set an army on
fire.
This is the only way that great
things are ever done. The National
Baptist in an account of 1.-The Old Age
of Francis Way land, tells how, in a
crowded meeting in Providence after
the news of the assault upon Charles
Sumner, and eminent jurist, and an
accomplished professor in the univer-
sity, spoke, condeming the outrage,
Though with something of a critical
GOODNESS, which fell far short of ex-
pressing the feelings of the audience"
Amid cheers and expectancy Francis
Wayland rose. He began by charac-
terizing the assault upon Sumner as an
attempt to inaugurate new era of APP
peal to the bludgeon instead of to rea-
son and conscience.
Presently, kindled by the passion
ate love for liberty, alike for himself
and for others, which was one of the
instincts of his nature, he said, 'GLd
made me free; | cannot bs slave.
As he uttered these words, the enthu-
siasm rose almost to frenzy; men
shouted, screamed, waved their hats,
tossed their hats in the air. Rarely
has an audience been So entirely in the
hands of a speaker. 1t seemed as
though there was no extremity of &C.
ton 10 which they would not readily
have gone at his inspiration.
Oh, for that sacred hre of enthusi-
asm in the temperance cause now! oh
that the leaders of thought would but
give utterance in ringing tones to the
feeling burning in the hearts of mil
lions. instead of laboriously hushing
il down. Away with "critical cold
ness at such timel
During the late war, at evening roll
call. captain said to his company,
SOLDIERS, l am ordered to detail ten
men for very dangerous service, but
of the greatest Importance to the army
in the coming battle. / have not the
heart to pick the men. for the chances
are against their ever coming back.
But if there are ten men in the CON-
pany who will volunteer for this SER
vice they may step two PAGES to the
front" As the captain ceased speak
ing that whole line stepped two PAGES
forward. and stood there with every