The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-07-10
For the Eagle.
COMMUNICATED.

". d.. L
took for his text: Jer. 1917. "Seek
the peace of the city, and pray for
/ it; for in the peace thereof We shall
have peace These words Of Jere-
miah, addressed to the captive Jews
/ in Babylon, are applicable to ourselves,
who intend to make Wichita our home.
especially at this time, when the peace
and the prosperity of our town are
imperillcd by vice. The Chief vices ell
dangcring the public interests of Wich-
tia are Sabbath dissertation, intemper-
ance, gambling, seriousness and
lawlessness. The damaging effects of
these vices are: By them we incur the
displcasurc Of God. Communities are
punished in this world: history proves
this. However favorable the situation
may he for growth, Wichita cannot ex-
pect to be ali exception. Newton was
alluded to Us Il warning 10 Wichita.
Our reputation as a town Is injured.
The very class Of citizens we need are
deferred from coming here, whilst
those we would rather stay away arc
drawn hither. BY these vices the me-
impoverished. The injurious moral
effects of these evils upon the stranger,
upon the residents of this place and
upon our children could not be estl-
mated. The remedies suggested for
these evils-the creation of a strong
public sentiment, moral and relig-
ious means, teaching men to control
their appctite-are the only effectual
remedies. Let the pulpit, the press and
the private citizen join in this noble
work of forming public opinion. Our
officers must feel that the best citizens
of this town are at their backs, ready
to help them perform their duty. Our
officers must perform their duties, let
the consequences be what they will.
We must do our part as individuals.
We should not boast of our wicked
ness as town, but rather be ashamed |
of it. The fallacious arguments that
the city is dependent on these vices for
a revenue, as also that by them the |
Texas trade is drawn to the place, |
were answered. AS exhorted in the |
text, we must pray for our city, as well |
as labor for its prosperity.
NJ. NJ. Thompson followed. Though |
residing in the country, near our town,
yet it needed but slight observation to
notice the forms of wickedncss here |
Astounding. He agreed with the pre-
vious speaker in the view that these
evil reports injured our reputation
abroad, and thus diverted immigration.
The responsibility rested, in a great
measure, upon the christian and moral
portion Of this place. Intemperance
would be found to be the tap root Of
all these vices. A strong blow should
be aimed at this vice.
We should take deep interest iii
our elections, and see that moral men
men who are not afraid to perform
their duty-bc placed in office. The
suggestion was made that the chris
tians of this place meet more fire.
quently to discuss these questions and
pray for our city,
Mr.. J. w. Davidson commenced his
address by disproving the following
that no town will prosper
without liquor. Saloons were not es-
sental to the prosperity of place.
They go where there is prosperity, to
live on its fruits. It is settled maxim
that wealth obtained without ali equiv
alent is not profitable. The seller of
liquor gives in return for money bro
ken heads and ruined fortunes. The
gambler gives misery. The brothel
brings moral and physical disease.
These things are useless, worse than
useless. in a town. There are men
enough, the laws are good enough.
Our officers must enforce the laws, and
we shall stand by them. Do we wish
TO ruin our town, then let things go
on as they have been drifting. Do we
want our town TO prosper. then let us
arouse ourselves to perform our duty.