, 1884-03-16
BROWNS BREAK.
The Pious Parson Puts Points on
Paper for the Public's Perusal
as to his Peculiar Prohibi-
ton Position.

Annexed is Il communication from Par
son Brown, defining his position towards
the press and the public relative to his
assumed attitude upon the prohibition
question. Given over his own signature,
there can now be no mistake as to his
views. To these, he is entitled to a hear
ing, so that the public may know exactly
how he stands from his own peculiar
standpoint, Every man who proposes
to speak for the public should have a
hearing fairly accorded him so that he
may stand or fall through the sentiments
which he enunciates. As the champion
of the rights of all in our community and
fearless in their defence, the LEADER is free,
at all times, to open its columns to the
publication of facts, and the criticism of
the same in a manner which, to it, shall
seem just and proper in the light of calm
judgment and unbiased expression.
A word from the target, may not be
out of place at the present stage of this
tilt with the Cheyenne press. In this
question, The Liquor Traffic, which is
now of national importance, | am free to
say that my position is radically on the
prohibition side, and from this standpoint,
| attack the business and the law which
upholds 1t; with no malice, or harsh per
sonal words toward any one who legally
engages in, or conducts the business un-
der licensed right. At the Baptist church,
l read clippings from the papers to show
up the business and its effects in society,
and NTH na.atl....Il I'LL
to the majesty of the law, y being main
tanned by timing patrons of our saloons,
who bought more goods than they could
well carry. BY some speaker present, the
press was put in fault for neglocting to
print temperance notices. | paid no at
tention to this complaint, AS | did not call
the meeting, was not u director of it, nor
even an honorary member of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union.
As to church notices, | defended the
press for silence, so far a. the Baptist
church was concerned, on the ground that
| had neglected to hand in notices to
print. In response to one speaker, | de
fined my position in this language, so far
rs | remember: Il do not blame the pa
pers for printing paid advertisements, but
l hold publishers responsible for what APP
pears in the local columns. The next
morning | shook hands with, and heartily
thanked MIR. Morrow, of the LEADER,
for a fair though not altogether IL correct
report. | felt %unfriendly to the Sun, be-
cause of the following words and senti-
ment, neither of which | expressed: "He
BROWN read these clippings and in com
mentlng ON them, said that 1T was
notorious, that the newspapers of the
city published these advertisements for
rum shops while they did not publish no
tees for temperance meetings, and
charged the papers with thereby giving
sanction to the sale of liquor"
As a public speaker | claim the right
to be fairly reported in my speech, for
many read the papers who do not hear
me, and of course have no way to Judge
only by report. My position rs II Christ
ian minister; my efforts to deepen in So
ciety a sentiment, that shall build up
morals; my desire to use the press as an
educating medium, for the best interests
of Cheyenne and Wyoming, demand that
n fair report be made Of, not only my
speech, but of the public addresses OF the
entire ministry. And for these reasons /
spoke as | did at the NJ. Il. church,
Thursday evening. Relative to the Sun
reporter | want everyone to know that |
am radically opposed to the liquor bust
ness, and protest against the law that pro-
tects it. But | attack no men or papers
in any personal contest. | honor a foe
that will stand up for a square fight, l
detest c~owardice either in the ranks of
prohibition or anti-prohibition. | believe
agitation is the only road to reform, and
that in a battle nc victory is gained unless
somebody gets hit.
GEORGE Fl. BRowN,
Pastor Baptist Church.