Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-09-18
THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT
Concluded,

Concluded.
You ask, What has this to do with
The Temperance question. This: The
flrst lesson of the Progressive Move
ment in relation to Temperance is
that men and women get together, ge
better acquainted, develop mutual
confidence, cultivate charity of views,
and unity Of action for betterment
OF conditions along all lines, espec-
tally in relation to the Temperance
question, for which the women Of this
nation, God knows, have worked,
prayed and awaited patiently for
many long weary years, and as this
new party asks the cooperation of
the women, the betterment Of legisla-
ton all along this line OF work can
be better done by cooperative efforts.
1t Is woman that must regulate the
customs Of social life, and it belongs
10 woman to soften POLITICAL asperi-
ties, and it is her duty to be famn-
lar with all great public questions
Suppose that the entire workings
Of the Temperance Movement had
been in the hands OF women, to the
same almost exclusive extent that it
mas been in that Of man, and that she
had carried on the battle against
King Alcohol with all her might, had
exercised all her influence at home
and abroad in suppressing the great
evil OF rum drinking a far greater
amount of good would have been af-
fected by this time than has been ac-
complished under present auspices
and now with the cooperation Of boil
sexes will do wonderful. things,
The power and influence of women
| has never as yet been properly esti-
! mated; In fact she has herself fail
! ed to assume that dominion and pow
er to. which she ie entitled. We
have no reference now to political
rights and privileges is mat
Ter involving considerations which it
| Is no part OF our intention to discuss.
Our reference is to her position in a
moral social point Of view, for there
In is her great power, and she has
lot heretofore exercised it as she
she should have done. In past ages,
when the gloom OF ignorance and sup
erstition enveloped the universal
mind, the reformer was compelled to
labor amid obstacles which might
have caused the stoutest heart to
-remble. Yet there were men in that
time who stood boldly forth to- battle
Tor humanity, needless alike of the
Oiggots frown and the prosecutor
wrath. And shall not we, who live
In the light OF an advanced age SUR
rounded by. all the advantages of the
present, labor with an increased zeal
and more hopeful heart? While the
past is left far behind us, let the
light of our torches CLEAN on the
pathway of the Future. There is
.ruly a great work to be done in
the future. Society must undergo a
| thorough and radical change. The
world needs now a practical reforma-
| ton in which men shall be not only
hearers but doors OF the truth; for
when we reflect upon the wrongs and
injustdces which prevail in society,
we feel to exclaim, Would that a
voice from Heaven might break forth
on The slumbering world and teach
mankind their errors In the Temper
ance Cause. We might ask the Ques-
ton, Where does Intemperature Or
iginate. Doubtless in the case of
nine tenths Of the inebriates who
are now q curse to themselves and to
Community, their. appetites were form
ed and cultivated, In the nursery, in
the domestic circle during the years
Of happy childhood. The Temperance
reformation has done much to purify
public sentiment-'mornin bitters"
and daily drains" are questionable
now thank Heaven; but woman Is
not fully awake to her responsible
ties unconscdously she is even, in
hundreds Of instances cherishing a
viper, whose sting Is death-death to
her own happiness-death to the
immortal interests Of her children.
Brandy, wine and strong drink are
admins tered by Observation-Disclosures
! mothers to their children for ev-
cry trifling ailment, and never until
woman ab1ures the use of Alcohol
IN any and every form-never unit!
children are taught by precept and
example to shun the draught, hoWev-
or delicious, that contains the small
est portion of the liquid poison, will
the temperance reformation move
inward successfully, and the Ser
pent Of the Stilp' be vanquished for
ever, and this is woman's appropriate
work, and this work must and shall
Ne accomplished under the workings
We hope OF the Progressive Party,
which is in favor of equal suffrage,
after the movement can we not arise
untimidly and demand from our 1egis-
lation law that will effectually ar
rest the work OF destruction and
death? Why do not common senti-
nent and common law treat the rum
seller, wherever he may be-the Auth
or OF all crime-as an ordinary cul-
,rit? Why do we punish for theft
ind murder, and at the same time
license men, and give them permits
to manufacture thieves and murder
crs. Ida N. ELDER,
Correspondent w. c. T. u.