The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-05-17
The Rising Wave.

It is TO be hoped that the indications
of increasing earnestness among the
people concerning the curse of drink
mark the advent of a National awaken
inc of conscience on this subject, and
that though the movement may at first
be slow, it will proceed until the extent
and proportions of the evil are so fully
realized as to insure effective remedial
action. For it is only through the gen.
eral appreciation of the abuse that q
sentiment powerful enough to suppress
it, and resolute enough to keep it sup
pressed, can be brought to bear. In the
deepening demand for high license can
| be perceived the growth of such a spirit
of active resistance. Not too soon, in
deed, for the evil has fairly saturated
the body polite, and its elimination
must be exceedingly difficult. But who
can fail to see that the strenuous efforts
of all the better elements of the Nation
after higher things in education. in pol
itics, in social and domestic life, are
continually checked and aborted bv the
debasing influence of drink in its mvri-
adj manifestations. An ignorant suf-
frage is bad enough, but it may be
mended. But ignorance stepped in
whisky is Giabolical prescription for
poisoning free government; and educa-
ton does not defend us against the
drink evil. When we have done our
best for our boys, and they set out to
take q part in the government of their
country, they find that the entrance to
politics is through the door of the sa-
loon, and tlrstt the wIIr, i'm our great
cities weld the largest political iniu-
ence are those whose connection with
the bottle is the closest.
The bar of the saloon is the modern
Witenagemot. 1t is there that the
voters meet to consider their course. to
receive instructions from their leaders,
and to drink away the intelligence that
should have showed them the humilia-
ton of their position; and throughout
our politics this malign and brutalizino
influence is felt. From the caucus to.
the convention, from the State Legis-
lature to Congress, the power and pres
sure of drink are manifest The reform
measures which wisdom and patriot
ism demand must be submitted to the
allies and stipendiaries of those whose
whole existence is pledged against
every civilizing agency, and for whom
National publication means extinction
and death, Nor is the prospect much
better outside of politics. The toilino,
masses, whose utmost thrift can barely
secure modest comfort, are solicited.
and too successfully, to squander their
hard-earned wages for drink, and are
sneered at as effeminate if they refuse,
Tribute must be paid to the saloon bv
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 de-
sires to "see lfe'' is taught that intoxi-
cation is a necessary concomitant of
fun" The daily and hourly lessons
set before us ought to convince the.
least thoughtful of the need of reform.
Drunken mothers reeling through the
streets. Drunken fathers beating their
wives, or killing themselves in de-
lirium. Everywhere waste and ex-
travagance and sorrow and poverty and
degradation and crime traceabIe to this
one evil.
Partial and spasmodic efforts can not
rid us of the curse. The whole people
must be infuamediwith living enthusi-
asm for better things before the mon
strous evil can be overcome 1t is not q
question of short campaign, but of q
patient, persistent, determined and pro-
lOAged effort. 1t will have to be made
if civilization is to advance, and so
much the better if the stir and murmur
which come to our ears now from all
parts OF the country signalize the rising
of the wave which when it eliminates
shall sweep this dcep-seated abuse from
the face of the earth. N 7 Tribune.