The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-05-02
HOME MATTERS.
THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCl
Speech by Hon. VIM. Reddick.

On Tuesdoy evening large and respectable
audience assembled at the Pprcsby terian churcl
TO listen to the views of ex-senator Rcddick OF
the temperance question. As he was the author OF
or rather the motive power by which the statute
now and forever after to be known as the Red
dick Temperance Law " was passed, there was al
unusual interest TO draw together ut the place
above named very large audience, among whom
were many Of our clearest thinkers of both sexes
On motion, Brother A. p. Mason" was called
to the chair and after a few remarks by him
and prayer by Mr.. Powell, the speaker was intro
duced and said, nearly ,s1Jaini as folws:
LADIES AND GENTLEMES-I have not desired
TO come here, but after many invitations, thought
it my duty to do so, not that would not come
here or fail in anything that might contribute to
this grand cause of temperance.
do not desire to put myself forward, but will
defend honest principle and stand by the idea
that have long fought for; that temperance is
life, health and happiness, and drinking is death
TO all that we hold or should hold sacred. [Ap-
plausc.l
have an indictment against the Democratic
and Republican parties have watched them
crooked ways, and have found that both have
been criminal in neglect of temperance. APP
plause.l t.
The result of my Legislative act is that we are
now in much better shape, because there is pro-
lection well for the saloon keeper AS the drink
ing man; because we fix limits where one and
the other will be protected.
While am assacd on one side, | am blamed
on the another but have used my best judg
Inent and have been thoroughly in earnest, and
do not intend to abuse any one; but still stand
as firm as rock by my faith, Applause
look back with pride upon my early rccolcc-
tions OF my friends and ncighbors, and used to
20 to camp meeting and was glad to be there,
and while do not pretend to be everything that
is perfect as a christian, was glad to hear them
pray, and | believe in prayer; not because, as
skeptics say It is self love, or the result of pride
the idea that each mortal thinks himself of
such great account that he should be allotted
place in Heaven if he should only ask for it; but
that it is good in itself-right, because God com.
manded it, and also because He has promised
that prayer shall be answered; but believe that
prayers should be short and to the point. Do
everything in as few words as possible and al
ways in earnest. Applause
illustrate my idea by this fact have watch
cd this liquor business in Ottawa, and have seen
its terrible eyls-ts awful work, and have never
yet found it, or anything connected with it,
TO possess single virtue. Applause. / had a.
brother who was sad example for mel tried
to save him and his family, but the demon OF drink
took him and left a wretcEcd wife and children.
/ brought him to Ottawa and he lived on the
very lot upon which this church stands, and died
here, Where is the family whom this evil does
not reach9 And it is for this reason--that there
is scarcely family in the land in which this fell
destroyer has not come-that am trying to put
it down and forever more. Why is it permitted:
Can IL it not be stoppedP It's evil influence goes
every where! We daily with it. We touch it too
gingerly. we should grasp it 10y the throat.
am an entire pechibitonist. Hence it is that
have, with certain class, become unpopular.
have been threatened, caricaturcs have been
made of me in q thousand ways and sent to me
through the mails, and even threats upon my
life and property! But do not care-l will new
err yicld-tcmpcrancc is fixed and eternal prn-
cple with me. Applause.
1t would be terrible wrong to say that small
pox, or black vomit, or cholera should be lcenS-
ed but whisky, or mtempcrance, is worse than
all of these combined, and by law you license the
selling OF strong drink. Applause. We had
better at once declare civilization failure If we
cannot restrict the evil of intcmperancc,
Look at your sixty saloons in Ottawa! This is
scarcely christian government Thc heather
Chinee can come here aE the law will not pro
tect him in practices orHustdihs that in his coun-
try are recognized and upheld. We must make
our laws better We huye a right by law to pro
hibit wrong andto enforce right, and we must
do it.
The state has toproyde for lun0tcs and fee
ble-minded, and paupers too! Why cant the
state interferc>to make pauperism at least far
less numerous? Strike at the heart OF each evil
begin at the right end Of this terrible matter,
and stop it by law.
No christian can vote for license nor can he
go into a saloon, and neither can mason. (sen-
saton.) Every Mason takes a solemn obligation
to be temperate and so do the Odd Fellows, and
/ have seen bad examples set by men OF both or
carnations. Somehow we have degcncratcd. L
believe the mcents excellcd us in many things.
Sobriety was golden rule enforced IN the early
days of Greece and Rome; even in late times
for instance Andrew Jackson would never have
granted license to sell liquor. Applause. In
fact, the business OF selling liquor should not
be carried on. Applause.
1t used 70 be the custom in Scotland that no
gentleman should go to bed without glass Of
whisky, and the speaker quoted from Walter
SCOTS Guy Mnnnering in Illustration of the
point. 1t is 4 bad practice that some OF our
church people tolerate, that Of allowing wiac 10
young gentlemen when they call on social visits.
Young ladies who desire to entertain their young
gentlemen friends should remember this, and
bitter woe will be to those who forget it-that
many generous, noble young man, was started
to destruction by single glass OF wine forced
upon him by lady. Applause
We must all unite in this grand, glorious move
ment-the Masons, Odd Fellows, Churches and