The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-19

We cannot refrain from reproducing in
our columns the following article from
the pen of Mrs C. H. Martin, wife of Presi-
dent Martin, of Asbury. 1t is published in
the Greencastle Banner We do not reprint
it because of its kindly expressions toward
the Journal, but because of the infinite good
sense and good temper displayed when COM
pared with some of the ill-advised and in
temperate words of so-called temperance
workers. Mrs. Martins statement of the
case is in complete harmony with what we
have tried to impress upon prohibitionists
in the kindiest spirit, respecting their sim
certify and earnestness, and not asking one of
them to abate jot OF his or her ultimate
judgment. But there is work for all persons
in the wise regulation of the liquor traffic
for many years.
THE fairness and ability with which the
Indianapolis Journal has presented the va
riouS phases of the temperance question is
worthy of all praise. While maintaining his
own opinions, the editor has allowed all good
natured correspondents TO advocate their
views also. This tolerant and generous course
Is Jile true one, anu SHOulu De ltultdleu Dy
some prohibition advocates. Temperance
people are not yet quite agreed
among themselves as to what is best, and
the day of victory is yet at distance. Like
all great reforms, it has its laws of advance
ment and one OF the most important is the
need of patience and forbearance among its
friends Some people are intolerant of the
least dissent from their special views. One
must see with their eyes or be as an enemy
to the cause. Now we cannot all see alike,
and instead of insisting on any one exclusive
method we should be glad to get help from
any and every source. Temperance is
Christian virtue, and will neither go far in
advance nor lag behind the other graces
of the good spirit. 1t has often been wounded
in the house OF its friends by unwise, CEN
serious and ill-tempered advocates. In this
as in other matters, men and women of in
finite assurance, and sometimes unsavory
reputation, have assumed to be its apostles,
and by their noise and buster crowd to one
side those who in every quality OF sense and
character were best qualified to take the
lead.
Then, among true-hearted and worthy
friends of tbs cause, how often do personal
prejudices and mere whims and notions
cause disagreements and failures. In moral
reforms men and women who are impractical
bic theorists are often a great hindrance.
We all aim at prohibition but from the
time the merchant had to treat every Gus
toner, the farmer to provide whisky at
every gathering, and the sideboard furnished
its best liquors at every social visit-from
this time to actual prohibition is Il far cry
Many weary steps have been taken, and there
may be many yet to come The inter
vening distance is too great to be cleared
by a single bound. Hard work, wise
counsel patient, unselfish and united
etfort-these are what the signs of the
times seem to demand. Those who cry
prohibition or nothing are not wise in
their generation. They are real obstruction
lists, and forget the lessons of the past Pro-
gress has been made step by step, and so it
still must be. If abolition of the drink
traffic cannot be at once secured. let us do
what we can by local option, high license,
rigid enforcement of present laws, and every
possible restriction to mitigate the evil. At
the same time let discussion go on, let all that
can be induced to cooperate do so far as
they can, even if all cannot see alike. So
shall moral sentiment be strengthened, con-
viction be intensified, and the final triumph
be fastened