Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-09-28
POINTS ON PROHIBITION.
A Large Gathering at the Congregational Church
to Hear Arguments for this Question.

A Large 6atherfng AT the Congregations church
to Hear Arguments for this Question.
The renowned temperance orator. John
b. Finch, Of Nebraska, delivered one of
his inimitable speeches on the temper
ance question, at the Congregational
church, Monday evening. Although
through a series of lamcntable mistakes
the notice of Mr.. Finch's appearance
was not announced except by written
posters put upon the postotfice when
the speaker stepped upon the platform
he faced a house crowded to its utmost
capacity. drawn thither by the wide
spread reputation of the gentleman.
There were present on the platform be-
sides Mr.. Finch, Rev. G. c. Cook. Rev.
Geo. Stevens and Mr.. Il. A. Watkins.
After singing by an improvised
choir and a prayer by Rev. Stevens
the celebrated orator was introduced by
Mr.. Watkins. In appearance Mr.. Finch
would hardly impress the casual be-
holder as possessing more than the
usual amount of ability allotted to man
kind. He looks very much like a COM
Portable clergyman with a good living
and an apprcciative congregation. About
middle height, quick and nervous in ac-
ton, possessed of q rather muscular
body surmounted by a well shaped head,
face pale and eyes setdeep in their sockets
mouth clean shaven the only hirsute APP
pendage being short mutton chop side
whiskers, rs he stands upon the plat
form dressed in conventional black
one would hardly suspect this to be the
fiery young orator whose fame has be-
come a household word in the western
states.
Mr.. Finch opened his address by say
ing that he had met the leaders of the
temperance movement in this state at
convention and had been asked by them
to Wisconsin. He had, however, come
not to make speeches but to talk and
should tonight talk with those present
just as he would with his parents or
brothers. He should talk not of theori-
teal temperance but of the vital issues
of the country. No other question was
exciting so much interest and attention
as that of temperance, all classes must
be satisfied by this time that it cannot
be laughed down. You have got to settle
this question. There is something in it
that must be settled, and it must be
settled by the people not as Democrats,
or Republicans. or Presbyterians, or
Congregationalists, or abstainers. or
drinkers, but as citizens of a country we
all love. We should look on all SIDES of
the question. should take all arguments
from every side and weigh them care
fully, then render a verdict. Every one
take this question up and settle it. What
is the nature and effect of the grog shops
on the intelligence and material inter-
ests of the country. Ii saloons are a
good thing everybody ought to stand
by them and work for them and pray
for them. But if, on the contrary, sa-
looms ruin men, make cruel husbands,
fill the penitentl 4rles and poor houses,
corrupt courts, is the very fountain
head of crime, my friend will you tell
me how you dare to stand by it or work
for it? We have got to settle this ques-
ton. we cannot get rid of it.
The government is largely like the
people who compose it. The people
are the government and if the govern
ment is oppressive. the people are OPP
pressiye, which, added the speaker. is a
good deal like men trying to sit down
on themselves.
When we witness political fever rag
ing over the country it is an evidence
that there is something in the polifi-
cal system to cause this unrest and ex-
element. This temperance fever had