, 1884-03-15


terances of "men in high places"
which are interesting, not only for
the sentiments expressed, but also
because they serve, to show that all
men who are in political life do not
ignore the great Importance of a rad
ical reform in the liquor traffic. The
first is from Mr.. Vance, Representa-
tive in Congress from North Caro-
lima. 1t is portion of a speech to
the House in favor OF continuing
the select Committee on the Alcholis
Liquor Traffic.
'eFAe gentleman from Texas talks
abUtl legi5httlng IN favor Of suntp-
tuary laws and saying whata man
shall eat and drink. In my judg-
ment, sir, the object is to get infOr-
nation on a subject that reaches and
touches every human being on this
continent. 1t affects every man,
woman, and child and every inter
est in this great country. Applause
on the Republican side. l think
| that the sentiment Of the temper
ance people of the United States Of
America ought to be respected in
this House, which creates commit
tees on almost every other subject.
We have committees on legislation
| in regard to the yellOw-fever and we
have committees in regard to the
yellOw-fever and we have commit
tees in regard to the cOttOn-wOrm.
| Laughter. We have committees
on sending expeditions to the
| North Pole in search of vessels that
have been lost, and then why, sir,
should not the representatives of the
| American people inquire in refer
ence to that vessel Of intemperance
which has wrecked so many house.
holds in this land Of ours. APP
plause. hope, sir, the representa-
tives of the American people will
allow the friends Of humanity,
the friends of truth, Justice, and
mercy to be heard; that they will
extend to the people the opportunity
to gather every information on a
subject of such tremendous impOr-
tance as the one now before the
House. Will the American repre-
sentatives here, sir, deny two mill
lions Of people the right to be heard
on this Important question? [Cries
Of NO! hope not,
hope we will not be denied the
simple right Of having a committee
on the subject. 1t does not necess-
arily follow we are'tO have II prOhib-
itOry law because Of the raising Of
such committee. Not at all, sir.
We want information. We want to
know what it C sts this Government
| because of this evil of intemperance.
We state that 1t costs more than the
/ taxes which would be required TO
educate every man, woman, and
child, white and black, in this broad
| land. believe it viii be better for
| us to stand up IN the interest Of hu-
manity, in the interest Of schools, in
the interests Of peace and Of right,
as well as in the interest of mercy.
/ 1t is better for us to do so than to
stand up here in the interest tire
| liquOr-tratfic which is carried on at
| the price Of the blood Of our people.
| [Applause. hope we shall have
this committee, and ] do 50 with all
due Difference to my friend on my
| left from Texas" y
The other is an utterance Of the
Hon. VIM. NJ. Evarts made at the
late New England dinner in New
York City, and contains his ideas
about liquor dealers organizations:
ave come now to a question about
the cardinal social virtues Of temper
ance, industry, honesty. Do these
need confirmation ? The possession
of the power Of labor and Of instruc-
ton in the first element of education
and protection, and the stimulus of
all the hardy exercises of these prim-
ary virtues Of humanity, were al
ways felt, always insisted upon, as
an exorable condition Of the progress
and prosperity Of the people. Now,
the great problem is, whether from
these small beginnings, and
this great expansion, this firm
and secure ediiice for Justice and
liberty can be preserved II we allow
any selfish or sOrdid interest; HOW
ever vehement, to encrOach upon
our demands that the body of this
people shall be kept industrious and
temperate and strong. | do not like
to see the power Of margins dOmi-
mating over the masses. do not
like to see the suffrage used constant
ly against the power Of the great
mass of the people, without regard
to political parties, by combinations
Of a selfish kind that are to hold a
rod over the aspirations of the pnb-
lie men of the country. have seen,
what l never expected to see in a
country like this, new band of l..
l.. D's-a League of Liquors Dealers
laughter and applausel-that are
| going to determine what shall be the
law and what the method as between
temperance and intemperance inthis
country. That is not a matter Of
party; it is a matter Of common
pride and manhood Of the American
people. Now, gentlemen, while we
have all the great glorieS, all the
splendOrs, all the pride which have
so Justly been built around the great
repute of our fathers, let us under
stand that the American people will
never have heart for all the glories
of this feast II they find missing
from it the bread and water of spirit
ual life and health.". [Applause.l
Mr.. Evarts is right. National
pride dictates that sobtiety should
rule, and a just appreciation of our
national greatness is unnatural to the
inebriate. X
stage Line.
II hns become evident from the