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Show THE MODERN CRUSADE. The Woman's Crusade again.it the power of alcohol continues with unabated una-bated vigor. As sir Lnnncelot buckled on his knightly armor iu the olden time, and went forth in search of tho Holy Grail, so do our modern knights of temperance go forth to seek, the boon of peace and joy for the homo circle, clad in ihe- simple panoply of prayer and supplication. It is fair to say that the crusado haa been conducted with great vigor thus far, and that it has been productive pro-ductive of good. It iiaa resulted in closing several thousands of drain shops, and in converting hundreds of dram-sellers from the error of their ways. It has brought the traffic into absolute disrepute in many portions of the country, and has awakened many occasional drinkers to an appreciation ap-preciation of tho uselessness and danger of moderate drinking. Thoso were tho results aimed at, and these results havo been achieved. Incidentally, other results havo followed fol-lowed this womanly uprising. Tho churches have discovered that to stand aloof from an active participation participa-tion iu this reformatory movement, is to imperil their hold upou the hearts and consciences of their folk were. For a time many of the churches stood on their dignity ami refused to countenance tho movement. Some of the ministers even declared it absurd and uncalled for; and more than one sought to bring the system adopted into discredit hy open denunciation. Rev. Dr. Crosby, of New York, announced an-nounced that he med wine and favored fav-ored its use, and ridiculed tho devoted bands who were seeking t overthrow the trailic by prayers and tears. But the tidal wave of popular iudig nation has proved too powerful to be turned back by priestly dignity,or denunciation, de-nunciation, or ridicule. Prayer, the weapon of the churches, was the weapon wea-pon of celestial temper wielded by the crusaders. Revilcrs iu high station were compelled, to change their attitude and modify their adverse ad-verse utterances. They were disarmed dis-armed by tho instrument employed, even as tho trafficker in dauL'erous stimulants was rendered powerless by i it. The work has triumphed where-ever where-ever it has been actively entered upon. Of course there have been and will bo a diversity of opinion as to the propriety of tho movement, as well as to its ultimate results, however remarkable re-markable may be its immediate effects. ef-fects. Observers are not wanting who denounce the Crusaders us "strong-minded," "strong-minded," and who declare that when the btorm lulls the reaction will induce in-duce a tidal wave of intemperance whith will engulf the land. The critical oWtrver, discovers, however, that this battle is not boing fought by the Sorosis, nor the temale-platforni orators, but by an entirely new class the wives ami mothers and sisters who have su lie red from the curse of intemperance and who have emerged from obscurity to wage a warfare iu which legislators and municipalities had signally failed; and the sober second thought of all hs been favorable favor-able alike to the pluck and the continuity con-tinuity of purpose manifested by the I praying bands. fc - K One result of this uprising is evident evi-dent the advancement of the cause of woman suffrage. The public laborsof these earnest women is begetting in their minds a confidence in themselves I which will not be forgotten. Revolutions Revolu-tions never go backwards; and her success in this will inspire woman all over the land with tho idea that alio possesses a capacity for labor in fields heretofore untried. Tho crusade cru-sade is btit tho prelude to tho ballot, and suffrage will come for woman sb sorely as night follows day. |