The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-06-30
A TEMPERANCE PROPOSITION.

to the remarks by Mr.. Hewitt. and part of
those by the individual who followed him.
! was particularly impressed by the earnest
ness with which Mr.. IL. remarked that .'the
Lord is on our side" believe that. If they
are really honest and sincere in their move
mont. I be icve every honest effort TO re-
move the curse of intcmpercnce l., ut least
countcnancci by the Lord though even an
honest effort may not always be successful IL
il is not judi:iousiy exercised. One thing is
certain, however; he Is never Oh the side OF
an effort, no matter how holy the apparent
object, that is rot actuated by honest i'm
pulses. The next day, on inquiry, with re-
gard TO the balance of the proceedings,
found that the honesty o. majority Of those
who participated was questioned by those
with whom conversed. For instnace, re-
fering 10 one OF the speakers, who is, just
now. exceedingly bitter in his denunciations
OF the liquor traffic. they wondered how il
was possible that Il man, who, last winter
and spring. WAS indebted 10 what they
now term the saloon element, and what he
the, termed the liberal element. for his sup
port, and who 30 bitterly denounced the pro-
hibl'ion amendment, could so suddenly
''chanse fronts. Ofothers, they remarked,
why we know they keep liquors in their
houses Vow, since Paui's conversion, we
have DO reason TO doubt that men may be
''s;rach by lightning" almost any time, and,
~ FOR the other charge. want to believe IL
is the result OF preiiliice>, for it docs not
~ :.
Iausea:ing dose 10 swaliow-that We have
even one man in our community wearing the
badge OF responsibility, 50 Inconsistent, so
,.i-hon, Il. absolutely coward!y, a. TO keep
ardent spirits on his premises, for his daily.
or even occasional use, While he is laboring
wii all hi, might and main TO prevent the
poor man, who is not able TO buy II by the
wholesale from procuring few drops, even
when his physician is OF the opion:on that
it may be all ihat will save hi, life. The per-
son who Will do tins, MUST either take The
position that alcoholic iqnors are not ncces-
sary in any event, or, in his own mind. be
willing To consign his neighbors 10 the UNI
timely graves he is unwilling shall be his
own last resting place. II he assumes the
former position, there can be no
possible necessity forhm 10 keep
The article a. home. If the lat
ter he is COW ardly bully at heart. | should
certainly regard the saloon keeper. who open
ly sells, (much as l abhor the traffic. or the
man who walks into the saloon aud takes his
dram hero, asa moral. by the side
OF the cowardy sneak. who slips
inlc his cellar, or behind his door
TO 10 The same thihg +; or puts daiatily
wine glass to his ari.tocraiic visitors lips,
goes forth dcnouncins the open dra.a seller
and dram ,!tinaer, or, secretly pot, TO pro-
cure testimony against the open dealer, h,
means Of spies, paid or otherwise, and even
attempts 10 bride men 20 become witnesses
asainS. an act, in the same character Of which
he has, himself, been accessory; for even if
he purchased his whiskcy, wine or beer be-
fore the iir-t of last May, or ordered it
from another state. he committed a. great
"A moral crime rs il he had purchased il in
Kansas. and since the law took effect. say.
am prone TO believe we have no saca char
acicrs in our community, or. at least. that
they are "few and far between Neyerfhc-
less. il Is evident that some of best class Of
our citizens do believe that many of The
leaders IN the present crusade, do keep in
toxicating drinks al their homes and as long
a. this impression prevails, a ma ority Of the
strictly honest portion OF the community.
these who hate Hypocrisy. will not identity
themselves with the movement. and public
sentiment will he too weak 20 make il success
full. For this reason. want TO make pro-
position. 10 the leaders of the crusade. Que
tina; assure them is made in all honesty, aud
and one. which. if ciiectually ear
ricd cut. will bring. not only the Lord: but
hosts OF men and women. who are now keep
ing slooi, TO their side. Fer myself do not
believe alcoholic drinks are necessary at any
time. True. il may be handy. aud superior
remedy under certain circumstances: but l
have no doubt that ii it could not be procnr-
ed IL all, substitutes could be found that
would answer the same purpose, and. ccr
tainy more lives would be saved than lost
il not a drop could be had. | look upon the
the practice that has evidently become so
prevalent. since the first of May. Of keeping
liquors at the private houses Is most dele
ferrous TO the eausc of temperance. 1t is
making, il not drunkards, con |
lrmed tirplcrs and bringing back TO the
practice, many who toncc nearly ready Tor
irunkards' graves had become dissent hraii- |
ed. know there are those, right in this |
,ity, who formerly drank TO excess: but had |
,bstained for months, aud perhaps years ;
who. thinkin: il necessary 10 keep it on hand |
or medicinal use, are now using il daily en- |
outraged by the silly iwaddle (silly when ut |
erred by certain class about enforcing |
he law" and the horrible heresy that there |
$ 10 harm in using it ,; home, the only evil
,eing in buying 1t. in small Quantities, OF
he saloon keeper Here is my proposition;
At The very next meeting. let Il strong
IL dye he signed that we viii neither touch.
astc nor handle any mali. spurious or Ninons
liquors at public places. nor at our homes
Tor keep it. ror permit il 10 be kept there.
. ct no man or WOMAN who refuses 10 sign
uch pledge, participate in any o; the pro-
ccdipgs.
on course you will not have accomplished
our object, IT, you stop here. There viii be
hose malicious enough to say that every one
4 You will Violate youy pledge every day.
dc not believe that. do not believe any
( yen would be willing TO perure your
elves. but TO avoid this impression. which
rou.d continue TO make your efforts practi-
ally futile, the next step should be 10 ap-
oint strong, energetic and honest coni-
,itee. whose duty il shall be to sisi,, Is Of !
IN As the circumstances require. the prcmis-
: and rooms Of the members. and examine ;
ieir cellars and alt other places where liquors
light be kept. To make il ''more binding {
ic coantiec should be changed once week ,
r. at each meeting. and they should invite i
nv of the '.doubtins Thomases" who desirs i
10 so, 10 go with them when they maze Y
Heir visits. Z
There is nothing impraet.cable in tins. r
emember. these EXAMINATIONS are to be q
ade only by mutual consent. No one Is e
-