New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-20
TILE RLNING W4TE.

1t is to be hoped that the indications OF in
crcasing earnestncss among the people concern
ing the curse of drink mark the advent OF
national awakening of conscience on this sub
iect, and that though the movement may at first
be slow, it will proceed until the extent ana
proportions of the evil are fully realized as To
insure effective remedial action. For 1t is only
through the general appreciation of the abuse
that sentiment powerful enough 10 sup
press it, and rcsOlute enough to keep 1t sup
pressed, can be brought to bear. In the deepen
ing demand for high license can be perceived
the growth of such n spirit of active resistance.
Not too soon, indeed, for the evil has fairly
saturated the body polite, and ITS elimination
must be exceedingly difficult But VINO can
fail to see that the strenuous efforts OF all the
better elements of the Nation after higher
things in religion, in education, In politics, III
social and domestic life, are continually
checked and abOrted by the dcbasiDg influence
of drink in its myriad manifestations. An
ignorant suffrage is bad enough but it may be
mcndcd But ignorance stepped in whiskcy is
n diabOlcal prescription for poisoning free
government and education does not defend us
against the drink evil. When we have done
our best for our boys, and they set out to take
part in the government of their country, they
find that the entrance to politics Is through the
door Of the saloon and that the mon who in our
great cities WELD the largest political influence
are those whose connection with the bottle is
the closest.
The bar of he saloon is the modern Witena-
gcmot 1t is there that the voters mcctto con
slider their course, to receive instructions from
their leaders and to drink away the intelligence
that should have showed them the humiliation
of their position and throughout our politics
this malgn and brutaizng influence is felt.
From the caucus to the convention, from the
State Legislature to Congress. the power and
pressure of drink are manifest. The reform
measures which wisdom and patriotism demand
must be submitted to the allies and stipcndimies
Of those whose whole existence is pledged
against every civilizlng agency, ana for whom
national publication means extinction ana
death. Nor is the prospect much better outside
Of politics. The tOiling masses, whose utmost
thrift can barely secure modest comfort, are
solicited and too successfully, to squander
their hard-earncd wages for drink. and are
sneered at as cticminate if they refuse Tribute
must be paid to the saloon by the city laborer
who seeks municipal employ. The tired artisan
who visits the suburbs on Sunday for fresh air
and change Is beset with temptations to drink.
The callow youth who desires to "sce life " is
taught that intoxicatOn is a necessary con-
comitant of "fun." Tho daily and hourly
lessons set before us ought to convince the least
thoughtful of tho need or reform. Drunken
mothers reeling through the streets. Drunken
fathers beating their wives, or killing them
selves in derium. Everywhere waste and ex-
tlavagance and sorrow and poverty and degra
dation and crime traceabe To this one evil
Partial and spasmodiC efforts cannot rid lis of
the curse. The whole people must be informed
with living enthusiasm for better things before
the mOnstrous evil can be overcome. 1t Is not
question of short campaign, but Of a patient,
persistent, determined and prolonged effort. 1t
will have to be made if civilization Is to adj
vance, and so much the better if the stir and
murmur which come to our ears now from all
parts of the country Signalze the rising of the
wave which when it eliminates shall sweep this
deep seated abuse from the face of the earth.
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