The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-02-16
INTEMPERANCE.
I.--Eeh 10Th 1871

L-Feb. 18th 1871.
1t Is quite common now adays to hear
men speak of the progress the world has
made within the last few years, in arts,
sciences, etc. generally winding up with
a touch of ''spread eagleism." But in
the very foundation of society, there are
evils and corruptions sufficient to hurl it
from its proud hight and reveal its rot.
tenness.
Precminent among those evils is intem
perance. 1t is an evil which reaches
every class of society, the highest in
station as we'll as the poorest laborer
the high and the noble as well as the
vicious. 1t does not attack its victim in
fair fight, but it takes him unawares,
steals gradually over him until he is
powerless and the poor senseless viz tim
fills drunkard' grave Daily and al
most hourly we see young men in the
saloons Of our city, becoming gradually
initiated in this dreadful habit. In a
town not hundred miles from Manito-
voc small parties are formed called
whist parties, for the purpose of hav-
ing jolly time at private houses; if a
person were to come home little tipsy
from one OF those parties it would not
sound 50 bad as to say he was brought
home drunk from a saloon.
lfany person doubts for an instant the
awful consequences of this vice, let him
remember the homes which are desolated
every year, the families that are separa-
ted Let him not forget the crimes which
are caused by it, even to murder; the
great expense to society is compelled to
keep up the standing armies of police,
jails. prisons and alms-houses Every
year 160,0 900 persons die from this cause,
generally men who would adorn any
society, honest, generous hearted fellows.
men who would scorn to tell an untruth
or do a mean act but who, just for this
one failing, are lost to themselves, their
families and their country.
How inconsistent does government act
in such matters. The places which cor
rupt the morals are excluded by civil
legislation. The railroad company
through who's, carelessress, passengers
are killed or mangled, must pay heavy
damages. The man who takes the life
of his fellow being, is either sent to pris.
on for life or expiates his crime on a
gibbet
But how is it with these saloon keep
ers who sell the poison to sweep off men
by the hundred thousands; are they
held responsible for their acts? Do
they pay damages to the widows and
the orphans of their poor victims? Blu,
these gentry will tell you in reply" ]
ask no one to drink if they choose to
come to my saloon, l surely am not foo
enough to drive them away Reader,
did you ever see cat charm bird The
cat might say with equal justice, ''if the
bird will come to me to be eaten, shall
not drive him away" Aye, but the
cat has fascination about it which the
bird, do what it may, is unable to resist
and this in my humble opinion is the
case with saloons. People are drawn
thither by a magic cord once there
they are drawn to destruction bv an iron
chain. There is no safety for us till
saloons are defunct. War now, war for.
ever till liquor is driven from our shores
The reading room 10 this city which was
started with high hopes two years ago
is now closed. the Library will doubt
less soon follow it.
What will go next? our churches per
haps, nothing will save us now but a
thorough first class temperance society
One which will draw our people from the
nostrils Of the pit. Who will start it -!
Don't ali speak at once.
To me temperance has the form OF {
serpent, when it was small we thought il
harmless, plaything. but now it is
monster, its coils are felt in every village
in the land, its fangs are already at thu
nations throat. Men and brethern lie
us act while it is yet time.
T.. Fl. S.