Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-11-28
Mrs. Richards Address.

The address by Mrs. Florence Rich
ards, in the Congregational church, on
Sunday evening, was worthy of more
than passing comment for several rea-
sons.
1t was the Worlds Temperance
Sunday" For a number of years one
Sunday each year has been regarded
as specially devoted to the considera-
ton of the subject of temperance by
churches, Sunday schools and young
peoples societies. A temperance les
son was used in the Sunday schools on
that day and our local churches were
fortunate in having specialist on the
subject with them for the occasion.
The subject is one of commanding
Importance. Regard it as we may the
temperance question presses itself
upon us continually and when we
think it settled it assumes new phases
and demands reconsideration. 1t will
not be settled until either the church
or the liquor traffic shall cease to
exist.
The speaker, by years of experience,
has acquired an easy grace of manner
and readiness Of speech and thorough
knowledge of her subject and wealth
of illustration, which secure and hold
the attention and interest of her audi
ence. But for the very unpleasant
weather the church would doubtless
have been filled. Mrs. Richards took
NH
early to tho tomb of Jesus, asking
"Who shall roll away the stone from
the sepulchre?"
She likened the liquor traffic TO a
great stone which had been rolled
against the hearts and homes of women
in all lands and ages and asked who
would help to roll it away. She de
clared herself most optimistic in the
matter, believing that the time Is
drawing near when the traffic shall be
overthrown. AS showing the growth
of temperance sentiment she stated
that in Ohio, her home state, 553 towns
and over 1900 out of 100 townships,
had voted out the saloons; while IN
Wisconsin 600 towns are already dry
quoted from liquor papers showing the
saloon men themselves to realize the
rapid growth of sentiment against
their business. She urged the voting
out of saloons in order to secure the
general prosperity, and said that In
her home town of Leipsic, Ohio the sa-
looms were voted out four years ago
and within a month revivals began
which resulted in hundreds of con-
versions and great additions to the
membership and effectiveness of all
the churches of the town. Leipsic has
about 5000 population making it good
place to STUDY in comparison with our
own city. She told of being invited to
address the inmates of the Ohio pene-
Tertiary some two years ago and ask
ing great company of prisoners, about
1900, how many regarded the saloon as
having. either directly or indirectly
led to Etheir downfall, and all but
about 10 rose to their feet to bring in
dictment against their common enemy.
Referring TO the common cry that
prohibition doesn't prohibit" she
asked who ever heard those who use
it make any complaint that license
doesn't regulate. yet she showed clear
" that there is more actual and per-
sistent and fragrant violation of law in
license than in prohibition territory.
She said that You may perhaps, by
prayer, keep your boy from the saloon: |
but you must vote TO keep the saloon
from your boy" And she urged that
one who violates temperance laws
should be dealt with as is the burg lar !
or common criminal, and said, when !
that is done. such laws will be as eff |
fective as any upon the statute books.
She closed with an eloquent plea for |
removal of the saloons from our own |
beautiful city and a general awaken
ing of interest in the cause of temper
ance and prohibition. That her plea |
may be effective and her message :,
reach large number is the reason for
this article ". II. HANNAFORD.