The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-04

DR.. Kirkus's View that Prohibition 10 the
suicide OF Liberty Denouaccd.

suicide or Liberty Denouaccd.
BALTIMORE, March "A mass meeting Of
the temperance people Of this city and vicinity
was held here in the hall of the Young Mems
Christian Association tonight to take action
denunciatOry Of the liberal views expressed By
the Rev. William hirkus. D. D.. leading
Episcopal clergyman Of this city In q recent
lecture on the Suicide Of Liberty" in which
he declared agains: prohibtory temperance
laws and compulsory Sabbath observancss. The
hall was crowded and it was evident from the
side remarks made that strong feeling Of in
dignation prevails against DR.. Kirkus among
tho temperance advocates. The meeting WAS
held under the auspices Of the State Temper
ance Alliance. Several leading Methodist and
Baptist c!ergymen were present. but many
ministers VI ot.or denominations who had
been invited did not attend.
Tho principal speech WAS made by William
Daniels PRESIDENT II the State Temrsrance AL
Importance had been attached to the lecture Of
Dr. kirhus aud ITS effect On the temperance
cause He .,i4 thai H!reAdy third OF The
Stute had gone 70. local option. and tue pollti-
cans were on the fence. not knowing which
way to lninn, Dr. kirkns. in his i"iirItion Of
minister Of the Gospel hs meant sy n iree
play OF individuality the right OF every man 10
do just as he r!eased under AL circumstances
with the single exception that he il not 70 use
! force o. fraud. His theory Of law and govern;
m msnt sets tS ina!;iHnal above sn;e% eni
To- tho Grentost nnmnsr wherever individuai
rights condo, with the rights Of the l'"ore.
He said that the lpuor traffic wa. necessary to
sustain the Government by raa-on Ql tho revo-
nue. II yielded, yet one OF the tiIrf justices OF
the Supreme Court has rendered an opinion
that II n loss 81 revenue siIr,,il accrue To In"
United Statrs from Il d!miui-hcl CONSUMPTION
OF ardent spirits she VIII bs III" gamer u thou
snhu-iolu III the heath, wcGth aud hnrrin.gB
NJ the people. Ii n II great sham" On u L iris-
tian nation that prohIh.,ory luws chnnot he TN
forced when pu.nn nations have enforced them
for centurl,s. Or. kirkus has u Wild idea OF
liberty. Thieves and ussassns may think
4: 10. their benrht and happiness 70
commit erin.r'. but thar does not make
against The Inv which protects me r,Nbi'
good. This Is a IRE. play of inLivni-
I uality." In REGARD To- what Or. kirkus sand
about total pro!ibt:o laws throwing one mil
liol work Hien ont Of employment. AR. Daniels
| said that tho best authority derived troiu sta
tistics from the Internal Revenue Bureau ~
Washington places tho number emp.ny"d at
| 800 VuY. Conceuin.. this TO De true. doubtless
most II not nj, Of thoS. thrown ONT 81 work
would soon rHn en- ployni1nt III useful branches
| 81 trade US tho great amount Of CAPITAL said 10
DO Invested IN this business would soon fluid III
| way into business more benehca u mareini
| Yne hcv. il NJ. Wharton, u leading Baptist
minister. declared that in the. sight Of God and
man II WIS Thousand times better to lose mil
! lions Of revenue to- the country than have mil
| lions Y! men 10 TO drunkhids' graves and have
| the United States ruined by intemporance.