Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-02-21
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
EDITED BY ~JoNEsBoRo W. G. t. L.
ADDRESS OF wEKCoME TO W. G. t. U.


Union
In behalf Of the White Ribboners of
Jonesboro l come to extend to you a
sincere and hearty welcome, not only
to you, but to each visitor, man, wo
man and child who shall honor us
with their presence. The motive which
prompts our gathering here on this oc-
casion is, l feel, fully appreciated by
all interested in the great temperance
topic of the day, and have seen the un-
firing, unseliish mother love for God
and home and every land. We throw
open the doors of our homes and in
vite you to come in. Our hopes, II
aims, our prayers are one, directed and
guided by the Omnipotent Ruler of the
Universe, under whose banner we are
marching, to whom alone be the glory.
With such q Captain we go fearless,
defiant to every foe in this mighty bat
tie against the liquor traffic and the
saloon. Undismayed by ridicule and
opposition, crying onward, struggling
for the right, to victory, to entire eman-
cipation from this evil, if needs be, I'M
til the thousand years of peace be
ushered in.
Long years ago, when the world was
lost in darkness and sin, a star arose in
the East-a herald of ''Pei ce on Earth
and Good Will Toward Men" and sent
a halo of light across n ~starless sky and
on down the march of time has grown
brighter and still brighter, until the
whole world is illuminated by its eff
fulgence and glory. Notwithstanding
all this and the %rapturQus songs of the
heavenly host, Satan, the great dragon
of darkness and despair, still wages
wal against humanity. He has chosen
as his most powerful weapon and de
stroyer, King Alcohol, with a host of
other evils closely allied. Woman, oh
who could paint the sad picture, sat in
silent grief and silent prayers, too, un-
til her imprisoned sobs could no longer
be hushed and subdued, aud burst forth
in such cries as to rend the very heav.
ems and call the Lord of Hosts with the
the angels to saw and protect.
1t was then that another star arose
the Star of Reformaticn-woman's Cruz
SADIE against this demon, liquor. Tho
it could scarcely be seer dawning in
the dim horizon, it has steadily risen
higher and higher, and grown in power
and magnitude until almost every ma.
ton and home has felt its influence.
Many sobs have hushed and hope has
kissed the tears from many a paid
cheek and lulled to rest many breaking
hearts.
This is woman's battle, the greatest
the world has ever known, because il
extends from shore to shore and from
zone to zone, and finds u kindred spirir
in the heart of every true mother. This
army is composed of the most cultured,
finest intellects, the bravest and best
women from almost every country.
Peacefully, pleadingly they wage theil
war, bound together by the White Rib.
bon, the symbol of purity and badge
by which they are recognized as sisters
over land and sea, until thirty four ma.
tons are enlisted against this persistent
and obstinate foe. This army has $50,
600 brave soldiers, with the world lie
nowned Frances Willard for its leader,
and many volunteers being added daily,
Many husbands and sons, fathers and
brothers, have come to the rear to
cheer them with applause and timely
aid. Is there a mother in this whole
land who can sit with folded hands
and take not part in this strife against
rum ? Are not your sons exposed tc
the deadly fangs of this serpent which
is lurking in the cup Have they nc
fears for their foir daughters, who may
become drunkard's wivesp Will moi
their hearts NOV with compassion fol
the victim already ensnared? When
we contemplate the swift and certain
destruction, the thought is intolerable
and maddening. What shall we do :
There is a remedy. We can send Ii
quor from u State. We can appeal
to lawmakers; we can influence ouI
husbands and brothers to send good
men to make and enact them, and drive
this evil beyond our borders, as Other
States have done. Our land is teeming
with little girls and boys, they will
soon be men and women what of their
future? They turn their eyes to us in
this struggle for the right, and are
helping with an army of $50, 600, many
of whom look up through falling tears,
whose lives are saddened and homes
blighted, and, more dreadful still, an
inherited thirst for strong drink. Hear
the cries from the prison cell nine
tenths of those attribute their shame to
the first drink. Oh, that fatal first
drink In the forty departments of
the w. G. T. U. this has been one in
which women have felt deeply and
worked faithfully. There has been
such harmony and cooperation in
thought and aim no final defeat is fear
ed. We congratulate ourselves, and
with united petitions press bravely on,
using every possible means to rescue
the victim, to prevent the sale ana ex-
clude liquor forever from u homes,
our towns and State. One peep into
our W town, it seems, sufficient to
rouse every man, Woman and child in
hattie array apainst tb;s ;nvota.o o