The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-27
ON THE DEFENSIVE.
70 the Editors of the N. P. Farmer

Will engage In the duel, but no Sec
onds are necessary, for do not fear
my antagonist in the least as the wea-
pons to be used are only words, and it
is generally conceded that a woman is
as good with such weapons as a man.
TO begin with then, I think d. had
better seek for some other sscivilized
nation where such woeful mistakes
are not allowed by people or consti-
tuition, and where such 'smischievious
confusion'' does not reign. He might
be happier, and there mast be such a
grand government somewhere on the
face of the globe, for D. says so.
Again, he speakes of me in connection
with Neal Dow and Mrs. President
Hayes, as crusader. I have never
claimed to belong to the crusaders, al
though it would be more Of an honor
than dishonor if did. And real
ly feel exalted to see my non de plume
in such close proximity to the name
of Mrs. Pres. Hayes. 1 never expect
ed such All honor, Mr.. D., when wrote
about saloon-kecping. and I feel very
much obliged to you for confering the
favor on me. He goes on to state that
there is a rapid growth of intemper.
ance and drunkenness. In that agree
with him; but kind friend, ':,here is
the most of the liquor obtained by
those drllndards? At the saloons most
certainly. Isaid nothing about Maine
laws, but anyone would think by read
ing his criticism that I had consider.
able to say about them. I merely
tried to show that saloon-keeping is
a low. degraded,d ishonorable business.
and still maintain my point, in spite
of the severe TRADE of my distinguish
ed friend. He thinks that when spirits
are used daily that the people are tenn
perate. That may be, or may not be.
That is not to the point, (unless it
proves just what I have heretofore
said, that saloon-keeping is a mean
business). It was saloon keepers I had
reference to in my former letter, bear
in mind, and the people that have
moved from SHOWN east (where D.
lived when a boy) to this western
country, and have formerly formed a
love for the taste Of the poision by it's
daily use, will not do without it now,
and as they do not follow their old
practice Of keeping it in the house.
everytime they go to town they are
sure to make the saloon Il visit, and
in what condition DO they return home
to their families? Not with u firm
and steady step, bespeaking strong and
noble manhood. and a will strong to
resist temptations: but with totter-
ing. staggering gait, and Il brain whose
sense Of reason is obscured by the
1nists arising from the w:liskey bar
rel.
have my o1r2, observations also, as
well as my friend D. Every few days
in the after part of fall and the fore
part of Winter.When the farmers were
hauling their grain to market. I saw
men pass by our house on their re-
turn home from Wadena, under the
influence of liquor. Where did they
get it! Not at the elevators where
they sold their grain? Oh, no. Not
at the mill! No, indeed. Where, but
at the saloons. Now, when the mer-
curry is down in the thirties, u man
will go out and cut Il load of wood, go
to town, sell it, and spend part or all
of his money when at the saloon. He
gets a very small price for his wood;
hardly living wages for himself and
team for hauling it, say nothing about
the cutting of the wood and pay for
the timber. His family is poor and
stands in need Of every cent he can
get, but he comes home drunk and IL
bottle of the obnoxious stuff in his
pocket. Ask that man what he got
for his wood, and instead Of telling
the price he received, he answers,
qch iskey Where did he obtain it? at
the saloon, of course. This is one of
mig o,Dn observations. Friend D. says
he can show that abstinence makes
people drunken. I would be very glad
to have him do 50 as it is beyond my
comprehension altogether, how those
that abstain can become drunken, I'M
less (excuse the liberty I take. my
frienl It is hv il,luIi2l O. liz breath of