Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 22.

Health and Temperance.

SHALL IT BE DONE?

SHALL the opportunity to put a State into the Union of States, constitutionally and forever protected from the deadliest and most subtle foe to all that is dearest and most sacred to all men who love righteousness and purity, be allowed to pass, and not return again for years to come?

In the galaxy of States, South Dakota may be made the polar star of constitutional prohibition. To all the States, and to all the tribes and all the clans of temperance, we make our appeal. We make it in the language of Deborah to the tribes and clans of Israel, and we say: "Up! this! this and no other is the day."

The Philistines of rum will soon fill all the plain. It is the plan and purpose of these hordes of rum, who would keep us in bondage to their trade, to concentrate their forces upon us; to pour in their treasure, to overwhelm us by the magnitude of their efforts. Not a State in the Union, not a den of infamy, not a place of vileness, will refuse to respond.

Shall not every State, and every church, and every society in like manner, in support of a cause, in contrast so infinitely noble, so measurelessly grand and high, come to the help of South Dakota? But why especially to the help of South Dakota? The reason is obvious. Here, of all places, the promise of success for the friends of temperance, and the friends of God and man, is brightest.

Therefore, the rum power will do its best. Therefore, we must do our best. South Dakota will do its best, or perhaps not its best, for no State has ever yet done this. But, when all is considered, South Dakota will do better than ever yet any State did. She will stretch every nerve, bend every energy, and, according to her ability, pour out her money. Already the money is coming, from counties and cities, towns and hamlets, churches and societies.

We request that pastors of all churches take collections for our aid on Sunday, June 30. All individuals who feel inclined to assist in carrying on this great work in securing the admission into the Union of the first State coming in as a prohibition State, will forward any amount to be devoted to this purpose, to Hon. F. H. Hagerty, treasurer of the Non-Partisan Constitutional Prohibition Organization, Aberdeen, Dakota.

V. V. BARNES, Yankton, Pres. W. F. T. BUSHNELL, Huron, Sec.