The Republican journal., 1911-07-13
TO the Voters of Ma inc.

Rev. James W. Price, in lions Herald
| wonder if the citizens of the old Pine
Tree State realize at this moment how
anXiously the eyes of all the lovers of
/ home and the cause of temp erance are
looking toward Maine How many times
| have been asked, since the Maine Leg
islature voted for resubmssion, "Will
the State of Maine repudiate her Pro-
hibitory law" My invariable reply has
been: Never. The people of Maine
know far too well what the license sys-
tenn has done for other States, to com
nit such folly
l am not unaware, however, of the SEN
timent that has prevailed in the State
that resulted in bringing about the recent
action of the Legislature-''That the
voters of the present generation may
have the privilege of expressing their
sentiments upon this great question !"
My fear at present is, in these days of
insurgency, when change and overthrow
are in the very air we breathe, that
thoughtlessly or otherwise, the young
men voters of the State may, by subtitle
argument and desire to experiment, be
persuaded into doing that which would
truly be a grief and calamity. Should
Maine do this, and thus recede from her
time-honored position as the leader of all
the States in the great onward march of
temperance reform, the lovers of home
and good government all over the country
and the world would hang their heads in
shame, and the children of Maine scat
tered all over this Western nation would
retire to their closets with burning
cheeks, and the burden of their grief
would be '1chabod. "
When asa young man | left my boy
hood home to go out into the great world
of activity, lifelong chum accompanied
me to the station. As he clasped my
hand in parting he uttered these senti-
ments: u have such faith in you that if
| should ever hear of your going back on
those principles for which you have stood,
| should lose all faith in Christian pro-
fession. He undoubtedly meant what
he said, for the time at least, until by
more perfect knowledge and mature ex-
perience he should prove that the Chris
tian religion is stronger and greater than
any man protesting it; also that the
eternal principles of righteousness and
purity are not dependent upon any but
God Himself.
But the words and manner of that
chum in the long ago have come to me so
many times, and always as a strength
ener and stimulant to my tagging zeal.
What if l should fail? In those awful
conflicts with Satan through which every
minister of Christ must often pass, sup
pose | should give way, what would be
the consequences to those to whom l
have ministered, to those who have
trusted me? What of the young folks
and children into whose eyes l have
looked and who have listened so trusting
ly to my counsels and advice, if l should
fail? What effect would my failure have
upon their lives? While not intending to
take myself too seriously in the extent of
my influence upon others, l yet know
that there are those who would be hurt
for life both morally and spiritually if
should fail
out that fact, but to use this as an illus
tration. Maine has been Prohibition
State for over half a century. In this
she was the pioneer among the States.
Here was the home and stamping ground
of Neal Dow, that prince and leader OF,
temperance reform. We all know the
story of his life, and how he began the
great crusade. 1t was while listening to
this apostle at Old Orchard that Frances
Willard received her vision and call to
that service which not only made her
'America's uncrowned queen" but re-
suited in work of temperance legisla-
ton and reform so far-reaching and
beneficial to the human race that eternity
will scarcely be long enough to reveal
the extent of it. Maine, the home of
Lillian M. N. Stevens, Sheriff Pearson,
S. L. Hanscom, and scores of others in
the great temperance army whose names
are in the book of life; Maine, by whose
example Kansas was able to defy the
monster evil and secure constitutional
Prohibition; Maine, whose rock-ribbed
hills get the first kiss of the rising sun
yours has been name for temperance
workers to conjure with. Oh Maine, if
you knew, Gin this thy day, the things
that belong to- thy position as the
Mother of Prohibition" then surely
you would rise up in your might and set
tie forever this monster iniquity clamor-
ing for State recognition!
Rouse We, rouse We, sons of your faith.
ers! The foe is at your doors. His sword
is whetted. He thirsts for blood. He
demands his toll, his pound OF flesh.
"Blood, blood. give me blood!' Is his
cry-blood of your fathers, the sons OF
toll; blood of your mo hers, from nearest
the heart; blood of your sons, the hope
of the future; blood of your daughters,
the mothers of the future. The children
All, the innocent children! A precious
morsel indeed for this man-eating mon
ster. But he must have, boys and girls.
Hitherto, old Maine, you have not fur
nished your full quota, and for this the