Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-04
=" Moral SuasiOn."
Essay read before the Blue Ribbon League
and published by re-. u It.

and published by rec u st.
The remarks of tie gentlemen
who made the leadirg spet ches in
this hall the last two meetings have
served. at least, the purpose of di-
rectins inquiry to the best means of
advancing the temperance cause. I
will not affirm that their method is
the wrong one, or that it is not the
proper one, SO fur as their individual
efforts are concerned, but I do un-
qualifedly reject the idea that there
is but one way Of progress i'll any
given direction. We are all of us
differently constituted. One may
influence by persuasion, another by
example. One may do much unaid-
ed. another needs the sympathy and
counsel of others to make his labors
effective. Each jealous advocate of
popular reform is able to do his
work differently from everybody else,
and may thus be able to enter some
one of the many avenues TO the soul
by a portal closed to everybody
else. AS will might an architect
rely upon the brick-mason alone to
rear the stately structure pictured
in his imagination, as for us to ex-
pect that any great reform can be
effected by single effort or by any
one specific rule OF action.
Those who hold to the idea that
through moral suasion alone can any
good result be secured, are previously
mistaken. They have my support so
far as their individual efforts extend,
although I do not believe everybody is
cut out for the work, or that organiza-
ton is at all necessary for the friend
ly counsel and admonition, which, to
be effective, must be uttered just at
the right time and with the direct
ness and persistence. for which
privacy alone seem adapted. 1t will
not always do to tell man the truth
in public assemblase, especially
when he is the objective point of the
moral sought to be conveyed, for it
would grouse an antagonism which
might close the heart forever to con-
viction, while the same individual
would listen to the truth under other
circumstances and be profited by it..
Organization to accomplish this OBJ
iect has always been barren of re-
suits. 1t finds but few converts,
and those few are of class who de-
rive pleasure from being petted
and coaxed to be good. This may
appear to be on uncharitable view to
some, but I have only to instance
the many who have held position in
Temperance organizations until the
highest honors were attained, who
when they discovered the least ap-
parent elimination in the interest
felt in their individual welfare, have
relapscd to their former condition OF
worthless and disgraceful inebriety.
I can probably no better illustrate
this trait of character than by al
anecdote of such q man, who it ap
pears always wanted to he lei in the
path of duty. Approaching severa
gentlemen standing in group who
We're noted for philanthropy, but
who had for the time being engaged
in no more digniiied occupatio,
than storytelling, he interrupted the
speaked with
Scuso me but Tim an old soakel
who wants TO yeform."
Well, as l WAS saying" con.
iinued the story teller after g!anc,
at the nan, that hog was about
forty rods away whsn l first saw
him. got my gun"
" Say" interrupted the drunkard
isn't there somebody here whC
= wants TO reform me 2"
" You 20 OUT. replied one OF thu
men.
II won't 90 it, I'm an old drunk
, ard, and | want somebody to TAX
me by the band aud hope Ill re
, form"
Go on with the hog story" pu
in one of the group.
" You shan't do 1t. exclaimed th'
, drunkard. II waat some one 4
feel sad because drnk up all IN.
earnings and misuse my family.
No one here cares how much yoI