The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-17
Saioon pol;t;es

The Rev. Mr.. Barnes, of Moline, in a
sermon, last Sunday, on temperance.
showed how moral and christian men serv-
ed the devil by their obedience the to ward |
whipsters who run ''the party" The fol- |
lowing is brief extract from his eloquent
sermon
But do politics oppose the arch enemy?
1t will nigh create a smile of derison do
you say to ask that question? But why
should not our politics oppose? Mr.. Sum-
ner said The politics of nation are its
morals in active operation" What must
be our morals ask your Ali tits a sad
question and it involves elements of the
reign of King Alcohol Ninetenths of
the crime of the country has its spring OF
committal, its bad inspiration from intoxi
eating drinks. But politics must let this
alone. we are told. Nor do they do this.
They call to their aid for securing legisla
ton and execution of law, that same agent
mostly instrumental in the violation OF law.
Pot-h house politicians figure large in all
parties, both openly and secretly. Good
men, not in favor of saloons, run for OF
fee, and let influences work in their favor,
asking no questions. They find it conven-
lent not to know or suspect that on some
bargain the saloons are worked up in their
favor. Such men would not spend money
or influence in saloons, but they do not tell
others not to do it always. And dear old
conscience whispers its questionings only
to hear for answer politics is politics. -
Ali politics is free whisky. politics is free
whisky, politics is anything to secure cleo
ton. Twenty saloons may belch their &C
cursed fumes upon the air, making your
walk to the post Office or church moi
some and sickening. Twenty saloons
with their front doors and back
door, their screens and shades and paint,
their billiards and cards and liquors, their
jollity, obscenity and profanity, their no.
vices and experts in gambling, may do more
evil than all the schools and churches and
libraries and lectures do good But ask
politics to undertake to prohibit or modify
this influence by direct issue and what dc
you see? Why politics answers Yes, good
thing-get in right men. attend caucuses,
look after this evil'-but when the point is
reached the caucus is already caucused,
nominations printed before uttered, and by
election time politics says mot practicable,
not available" but the real thing is I'VE
must elect our man, look after our end Of
town, fill up some ditch (let men meantime
stay in the drunkard's ditch, put in i'm
provements on certain streets, see to the
Interests of our bank, or our shop. or oul
gas company, or our water works" Poll
tics even arrays temperance men with the
minions of King Alcohol, states, bargains
you vote and carry our project or cleo
our man and we will carry yours. mo,
says politics, mo moral issues"
/ Further on, in his sermon. he lamentet
that the church was divided and did moi
watch or fight or pray unitedly against al
cohol, and he closed that portion of hi
sermon as follows:
Prepare the way politically Take dow
that sign over your principles and you
vote, the sign, ''for sale" Pat in its plac,
holiness to the Lord" Let no politica
bargains you may make, directly or indi
rectly, be truthfully stated in these word
, following you as it were in the air sold GU
to the saloons" Eschew forever, forbit
, to your political hurt, forever forbid ''sa
loon politics.