Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-04-17
Parents.

which are held for you and those in
whose charge your children are placed?
Will you please read the following,
which is a copy of paper read and
discussed at the last of these meetings,
held in Toledo, March %. Are You
not interested in this subject?
TEMPERANCE.
Temperance is one Of the greatest
problems, not only Of our school, but
of our state and nation, and is impor-
tant to us as teachers, not only from
the position we hold in regard to teach
ing the results, but because it is our
duty to weld all influence possible at
all times, in all pI ces, against power
that can tear down in 30 short time,
all we have accomplished in many days,
in our best efforts 10 make good citizens.
Intemperance means an over indul-
gence of any taste or desire. and while
acknowledging the evil of any such in
dulgence, il is the lqnor habit to which
l here refer. But practice of lem
perance III all things will tend to de-
velop that power of resistance which
may save many from fatal fall.
But what some term temperate u>e
will not suffice with alcohol. Total
abstinence is the only sure and safe
rule. It's power is great and soon con
quers, soon enslaves mind and body
home and family.
Over and over again the story has
been told, of suffering, mis- Try and want.
We know it without repeating, and so
does he who is just starting on his
downward course.
Why does he not stop? Why? Who
can answer this question? And who
can tell us how we can stop him if he
will not himself This is the one qnes.
tion we must try 10 solve. Since the
only sure way for the individual is
total abstinence, is not the only sure
way for us to accomplish good is to put
it beyond his reach?
Again, how can we answer this? fit
is the profit that is binding such a curse
to our nation what Can we do to take
away that profit, only to Use our untlr-
ing diligence and patience in exerting
our influence over the masses that will
not yet yield?
For every loyal citizen who loves
home and country there is large field
over which his or her influence eau be
shed. And each one that we Can win
for the right side, takes one away from
the wrong. And this victory will be
won only by Weakening the evil, while
We strengthen the good.
How is this, ere there more strictly
temperate persons, in the last genera
ton, than in the one preceding it?
Are the young men and women rising
to maturity, under an influence that
will make them more temperate?
Is there amusement provided free FIR IN
sin? Have majority OF the perso rs
within reach of your influence and
mine, done as much to provide for thesr
things, as they have for the maiEien-
ance of the saloon? Have they even
cast ballot for measures, that will
make homes pleasant, aud the various
places of amusement of such nature,
that young men may be proud to t,ke
with them their sisters or mot hers, and
share with them their pleasures.
Many ballots have been cast for the
saloons or for laws against it, and the II
for officers who will not or do not ell
force these laws. If this charge seems
harsh or severe, none Mt ed take often Sc
who are not guilty. But something is
wrong or we would not see such results
AS occurred al the Sietz recently.
We are glad to acknowledge that so
many are doing good in various ways,
as we note the great accomplishments
and consider the many liberties granted
and one, not the least of these, is the
privilege of local option, which is "a
great step in the advancement of tenn
perance. While many who will always
cling to their own arguments without
proof, claim that conditions are no bet
ter; statistics from the different coun
ties in our own state, where local option
has carried, show that there has been
an Improvement along all other lines of
business. And in all cases saloon men
work against this action. Is it because
they are so anxious 20 pay the licenseY
But while we are glad for those, who
are working in the right, we wa mt more
to work with them. 1t Is not enough
that part are what they should be
this great enemy is 80 powerful, that in
the hands OF comparatively small