The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-20
TEMPERANCE WORK FOR THE YEAR.

/ The temperance forces in North Caro-
Ina have a right to look back upon the
work of the past year and to congratu-
late themselves uron what has been ac-
complished In nearly every contest they
have been victorious. Five hundred stills
lave been closed and half as many sa-
looms. Important and far reaching legis-
laton has been put upon the statute
books. Temptations have been removed
from the young in every portion of the
rural districts from Murphy to Manteo
ard from most of the towns. Looking
hack upon the past twelve months, the
tern GRANGE forces should thank God and
take courage"
What is the work before them for the
year 1904? few elections have been or
dered or petitions prepared to secure a
vote Wherever there is n fight, the tenn
| pcrance forces should use every honorable
effort 10 win success. 1t will be the
Fart OF wisdom, however for the temper
| ance forces not to press other elections
during this year, outside of those already
entered upon. The cause must not be
! jeopardzing good government. Let the
temperance forces be careful just here.
II there arc men in any county who would
uce the cause to ride into office, let them
b.
those who would invoke it's strength to
dictate nominations let them receive no
! encouragement The movement has sue
ceeded because the Big rs and extremists
have not been permitted to embarrass it
With other matters. The temptation to
do so will be great within the next few
months. Future success depends Upon not
yielding to such temptation.
No more elections or agitation for cleo
items this year, except those already
planned! eff that is the policy, what is
lett for us to do?' some temperance man
may ask. Are we to sit idle and lose
the fruits of victory?" Not at all. There
is work-important work-to be done. 1t
consists OF two parts: /. UNFOLDING and
enforcing the laws; 2. Agitation against
the use of alcohol, an old-fashioned John
3. Cough sort of preaching against the
evils of moderate drinking, as well as
drunkenness, and an appeal to men to
become total abstainers.
There are those who, as soon as saloons
are closed, fold their hands and think
there is nothing else to do. The truth is
that shutting saloons is only the initial
step. If temperance forces stop there,
wild tigers" spring up in prohibition
towns and the decrease in drinking In
dispensary towns is Disappointing. The
temperance people need to help enforce
the laws, but more than that they need
TO awake the public conscience upon the
evil of the drink habit. Laws are ne
cessary-they should be enacted
they should be enforced, but II
nothing else is done by preach
ers, teachers and public leaders of the
people against the drink evil, the results
In a wise and sensible sermon in Ashe-
Vile last Sunday, Rev. DR.. R. F. Camp
bell pastor OF the First Presbyterian
church, gave the call TO the highest ser
vice for real temperance effort which
ought to be read and needed in every
church, in every county, and IN every
family in the land. He said:
IF the light of Gods word were allowed
, to enter the homes of our people, all the
problems of life would be solved. 1t
seems to me that this is the most effective
way, for instance, to attack the great
evil of intemperance something may De
done, perhaps. by attempts to dry up the
stream of liquor that flows into the So
looms, but lar more can be done by drying
up the stream of boys and men that flow
into such places. The seat of trouble is
not in the saloon, or in any OTHER evil
Mace it is in the heart and in The home
An: unless we can get the word OF God
in its enlightening and saving power
into the hearts and homes of men all our
efforts at reform by legal prohibition or
restriction will end in failure and disap-
nc,rtment Christs method is simple and
nlain s.Make the tree good and the truii
will no good" 1t is the man whose de-
light and meditation is in the word Of
God that is like trse planted by The
rivers of water that 5rin2etn his fruit
| in his season.
Let us aim at the heart, out OF
which AFRO tho issues Of bic. and at. the
home. whence flow all the streams that
make up the great current OF human So
ciety, and we shall do more to purify and
ennoble human life than could ever be
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT even by the total destruc-
ton Of any or all PLACES s evil il resort t.s
1T is within our power SO to tram our
children that such places will have no
power to tempt them. Nay, unless 1:. We 50
train them we shall accomplish little in
healing H. worlds great disease of sin,
though we close every bIothel ard gin
house"
r. ~ :, nbers of Congress would