The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1892-08-24
A Plea For Temperance.

Editor Reyeillc:
For some time past | have observed
that the public mind has been more
profoundly impressed with the impor-
tance Of adopting measures for the re-
preston Of the vice Of intemperance
than ever before.
To such an alarming extent have
criminal acts attributable directly or
indirectly to the use Of intoxicants IN
creased that public sentiment has be-
come much more pronounced on this
subject than ever before and We have
every reason to suppose that the time
when the liquor traffic will be abolished
is fast approaching.
As we are about for the first time in
the history Of this county to hold an
election for the purpose Of determining
whether the good people, residents Of
this county, will OF will not sanction
this traffic longer, it may be we'll for
those who feel an interest in the peace
and welfare Of this community to speak
the truth plainly on this subject with
out fear or favor. There has always
been recognized two parties IN the field,
one for and the other against the traffic
whenever the subject has been brought
up for public consideration, but these
are not all. There has always been q
third party. not organized it is true,bu
highly respectable in point Of numbers
and standing and numerous enough to
have the balance of power, who seem TO
have escaped observation and remark
probably owing to their influence and
respectability. This class is composed
almost entirely Of church members and
professional men who have steadily de-
clined to vote with US, alleging that
they do not consider this the proper
way TO deal with it," ct cetera. Now |
wish to remind all such that this is the
only way in which the law authorizes
us to deal with it, and consequently the
only way in which we can deal with it
and all such disingenuous excuses for
not taking q stand against the traffic
have a motive founded IN the sel6shness
Of human nature-fear Of injuring
worldly interests or Of giving offence to
some whose power and influence may
be brought to b ar prejudicially at some
future time. We have much more re-
spect for an open and avowed advocate
Of the liquor traffic. Some Of these we
know are fond Of a "Wee diopP and this
may cloud their judgment in this mat
ter.
Some Of them manifest much zeal in
exhorting us to "come up to the help
Of the Lord against the mighty" Now
we beg leave to remind all such that
the Lord does not need our help, but
humanity does need it very much IN
deed, and you are Sinking your plain
duty in Withholding your aid from such
measures as are feasible and proper, de-
vised by our legislators and necessary
to rid us Of tins great evil. Such per-
sons lack, to say the least Of It, the
courage Of their convictions. Do try
and do better this time. "Come with
US and VIC will do you good" Help rs
and you will surely have your reward.
We do not ask you to come and help
the Lord as some of You do, for the rea-
sons already assigned, but we would
expect all right minded church mem
bers and officials to choose this day
whom they will serve. 1t is quite
time YOU were beginning to teach by
example as well as precept. Example
is worth more than precept. 1t has
been by example We have learned the
beauty Of holiness. Don't teach your
children to do. as you say and not as
you do. Honoryour manhood by stand
ing up squarely and meeting this issue
honesty and truthfully, your own con-
science bearing witness Of your sinceri-
ty and you will never have reason to
be ashamed Of it. Don't wait until we
succeed without you and then join us
with hallelujahs. SELAH.