Year: 1860

| In the absence, hlessrs. EDITORS, OF PuDllc


discussion, wish to say few things to


the friends of Temperance, through the


medium of your excellent paper IfIam


not mistaken, many, just at this time, feel


discouraged in this good work. 1t is to


such that would speak. I believe there
is no good reason for discouragement.-


Why this assertion is made, will be seen


from what follows.


Success in any work is not talways in pro-
portion to the effort put forth. But the
effort made, should determine the measure
of our expectation, to be modified by cir
cumstances But when our hopes are not
realized we should not be discouraged, un-
less we have correct view of the whole
case. This is precisely the condition of
many in this conflict. Instead of being
cheered with hope, they are cast down with
fears, because they have never taken a
comprehensive view of the cause in which
they are engaged. They have enlisted in
this warfare and have labored for time
with great zeal, and because triumph is
not achieved in day, they become impa-
tient. Their zeal cools efforts are put
forth feebly. Soon they abandon the cause
altogether, to the great Encouragement of
others. They forget that we cannot SOW
and reap in the same day, and that some
Of the noblest works of man required gene


rations for their completion. So in the
cause of Temperance, we have great reason
for encouragement. Looking back, we are
cheered with the progress made. Looking
to the future, complete success beckons us
onward to final triumph.


1t is a reform, social and moral, for which
we labor; and every reformation to be per-
manent, must be the work of time A
change may be brought about from impulse,
sympathy or force, but it will be transient.
To be permanent, it must come from prin-
ciple, be founded on knowledge, and nurtur-
ed by yirtuous feelings, as all past re-
forms, both political and moral, will prove.


The evil, which we would remove is not
the growth of day, but of ages. For sue
cessive generations it has been maturing,
and no special effort was made to retard its
growth. Its roots were fixed in a genial
soil. 1t spread its branches in an atmos-
phere favoring its luxuriant growth; protec'
ted by laws, cougenial to the perverted
tastes of man, it is not strange that it over
shadowed the land and filled the habita-
tions of man with its deadly spirit. A few
years back, correct and systematic efforts
were made to destroy this monstrous evil.
1t was but one man in thousand who was
awake to the work. 1t was novel under
taking. Effort was isolated and made
without concert. Opposition was encoun-
tered from almost every conceivable quar-
ter, and because this evil which had been
growing, with the aid and appreciation Of
man for thousand years, has not been
banished from the world in thirty, many
are discouraged and disposed to abandon
the cause in despair! In this there is no
ground for discouragement. Under the
circumstances, it is wonderful that go much
has been done! The reform has but COM
menced. 1t is yet in its infancy but it
has pervaded our great country with its in
fuenoe. 1t has even taken hold of the
nations of Europe. 1t can never be sue
cesefully retarded. 1t can never be put
down. Its course is onward as certainly as
the march of time.


Before Intemperance, or the causes lead
ing to it can be suppressed, there must be
a change in public sentiment. In the past,
the feeling of the community has been in
favor of intoxicating drinks. A change
is now going on, but time will be requir-
ed to perfect it. In bringing it about, you
come in conflict with the interests of many,
with the prejudices of some, and with the
and vitiated appetites of others.
These classes rise up in opposition. Some
you may convince of their error by argu-
ment; others are convinced by the light of
piety and change their course. With an
other class you can do nothing. Impervi-
GUS to the force of argument and callous to
the authoritative sanctions of religion, they
remain enemies to the work of reform
All their influence is in favor of intemper-
ance. True, this is great hindrauce, and
the work of reform cannot be completed un-