Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-19
PROHIBITION.
Bev. DIR. Gilbert Sees Much En-
enlargement in Tuesdays
Vote.

The Rev. DR.. Gilbert, of Chicago,
now filing the pulpit Of the Vine st
Congregational Church. feels much
encouraged, as Prohibitionist. at the
unprecedented vote cast on Tuesday
for the second amendment While he
stood unequivocally upon the plank
Of prohibition, he was charitable aud
fair 10 his references, and had the
strong sense to speak kindly Of the
Scott Law.
lie did forget, he said, that he was
in the house of God. That very fact
embroidered him to say some things
with regard to the moral contest that
eliminated in the election of Tuesday.
The reform movement would not per-
ish. The supreme motive which ac>
tuated it was that of benavolence
Night before last he had the privilege
OF looking in upon the banquet to the
Commercial Clubs Mr.. Ingalls, there
made a speech in which he impressed
upon the gentlemen representing vari-
Gus cities how important it was to
strive for something more than money
for clean streets, pure air and pure
water and artistic surroundings. But
Of what avail, the reverned gentlman
asked, were all these material advan>
tages if the streets were lined with
grog shops, neutralizing all the good
that was being accomplished by our
schools and churches? Men woke up
the morning after the election and
found something had happened that
mostly was not expected. The govern
ment Of our large cities was severely
criticised by the reverned gentleman,
and he spoke of Mayor Harrison as
the chief criminal Of Chicago. He
heard a man say that he was almost
afraid to send his children to the pub
lie schools for fear that the curse Of
the saloons would fall on them, be-
cause they were supported by tax on
the saloons. DR.. Gilbert was good
enough to compliment the CONNER.
cial Gazette, aud quoted part Of a
recent editorial commenting on the
significance Of the large vote prohibi
ton had received. THAI. vote and wha
happened in Iowa were pointed to al
evidence OF great sentiment agalns
the existing saloon system. Neither
political party could afford to trea
this sentiment with contempt, although
just now the temperance question wa
being wronglully berated. He admit
ted that some of the advocates Of pro
hibition had not been as charitabl
and prudent as they might have been
Holding out the hope that prohibi-
ton would yet prevail in Obio-al
though he confessed that he could no
say when the people would again hav,
an opportunity Of voting upon it'll,
reverend gentleman advanced the fol
lowing considerations;
Success will cost money and labor
There must be an organized effort
Every good citizen should feel as hi
who is enlisted for the war.
Public opinion should be influenced
in favor OF prohibition in the church
the Sunday and day school, the press
the pulpit, and by private cOnversa'
ton.
All social forces should be assidu,
ously sought
The friends Of prohibition should
labor to show that prohibition is rea
sonable and right
DenuuciatiOn Of opponents should
not be INDUCED in.
All positive efforts should be made
to enforce existing laws. The Scot
law, the reverend gentleman sid, was
good SO far as it went, particularly the
local option clause, He reminded hit
hearers that they could not ask fol
severer laws until the present lawI
we're enforced and he advocated the
formation of citizens leagues in every
city to see that existing laws were en-
forced.