The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-26
INDIANAPOLIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER &C. 1855


that point. It is about the only thing in which
they do agree touching the liquor question How
shall these evils be abatedl What is the best
way to control or suppress this trafic2 How is
this curse to be removed, and if not removed,
how is it to be restrained9 On these questions
the views of the speakers have been as wide
asunder as the poles One advocates high IL
cense, another advocates no license. One says
let US do the best we can, and adopt measures
that are PRACTICAL another says, mo, sir, we
must have prohibition or nothing" One thinks
he is helping the cause of temperance
when he is holding up to contempt
and ridicule Christian minister, of the
ablest, and purest and cleanest, and noblest cit
liens of this country, and one, too. who has
already done more for the cause of temperance
than some of his critics would do if they were to
live and labor for thousand years. The friends
of my old tutor, who used to preach in this city,
and whose end sad, might, ono would
think, have been spared the pain of listening to
an attack upon his character-an attack which,
SO far as heard from-was wholly gratuitous. 1t
seems that when his body was racked with pain,
and when his reason was dethroned, the poor fell
low betook himself to saloon, where he died from
over-drugging rather than from overdrinking.
But even if our old friend had fallen victim to
strong drink, that would scarcely justify whole
sale attack upon Christian ministers. The friends
of temperance might we'll be engaged in better
business than this and to their credit be it said,
it is thing when any of them betrays so
much unwisdom
make these remarks in the interest of kind
ness, but with decided emphasis. 1t is not to be
expected that temperance workers, any more
than workers in other good causes, will entirely
agree as to methods Even church members do
not always see eye-to-eye. The MethoGists have
their way of working and the Presbyterians
have theirs. So of other denominations
But surely there is one plank in the temper
ance platform where Christians of every denomi-
nation can stand, and where all good citizens
can stand, and where they can pull together.
Surely every friend of temperance, whetherh be
Christian OF Jew, Roman Catholic or Protestant,
Democrat or Republican, can and should stand
on the platform Of law and order, a platform
which. if rightly adhered to, will greatly
and, therefore, will greatly lessen the evils of
intemperance. Every good citizen, irrespective
of party, should be interested in the righteous
administration of law. And if the laws we have
were righteously administered there would be
less for complaint of the liquor traffic.
Moreover, if the laws we have are not stringent
enough; if they do not impose upon this traffic
tax In some degree commensurate with the evils
it entails, then every good citizen-every voter,
irrespective of party-ought to see to it that
men are elected to our Legislature, to our City
Council, who will enact moro stringent laws, and
let officers be elected who will to it that
these laws are strictly and impartially enforced
Can't we all stand on that platforms What does
our forthcoming city election mean touching
this very question: Does it mean government
of the people, and by the people, and for the peo-
ples Or does it mean government of the saloon.
and by the saloon. and for the saloon9 If in
ether case it means saloon government then,
whether the man running for mayor or council
man be Democrat or Republican, he cannot
have my vote. This is not party question. It
is question Of law and order it is a question
of good governments; it is question of decency;
it is question, if you please, of temperance.
One word more. My friends. the prohibition
lists, in their zeal for the cause they advo-
cate. seem to think that all who
gall of bitterness in the bonds of iniquity. They
seem to think that nobody can give any good
reason for not being prohibitionist. Well, the
time may come when that will be true, but that
time is not yet. 1t is one thing to advocate
total abstinence; it is another to advocate prohi
bition. /. for example. am a total abstainer.
belong to the tribe of Jonadab, the of
Rechab. But am not prohibtionist-in In
dianapolis-at present For the sake of my fell
low men, because love my country. and for my
own sake, I abstain from strong drink. owe
that much to myself, to my country, to my
| neiehbors and to my God. That l take to be
the Pauline doctrine of expediency. 'It is good
neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth. or is Of
Tended or is made weak" But is that an imper
alive rule to be observed by every man in every
circumstance and forevermore? That, think.
may we'll be doubted. We are bound to respect
from US.
The best way to promote temper ance is to
adhere Loyalty to the word of God. The scrip
tural Argument for total abstinence is the prin-
ciple of eAl,.diency. Expediency has to do with
the allowable The allowable is not matter of
law. Make total abstinence law; compel a
man to be total abstainer, and the practice of
it is no longer matter of expediency The
habit of total abstinence exemplifes the volun-
tary surrender of liberty. But voluntary
surrender of liberty enforced by the strong arm
of the law, ecclesiastical CIVIL sounds like a
contradiction in terms.
PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY.
The programme for tonight is as follows:
Childrens meeting, Rev. E. A. Bradley presiding.
Singng-"Unfurl the Temperance Banner"
Responsive Scripture reading.
Prayer.
Singing-"We Are Coming"
"Childrens Welcome to the Temperance Work
Mrs. j. r. Nichols
Singing" Master, the Tempest Is Raging"
Observation-Disclosures John Wallick.
Address-Rev. j. A. RoDdthaler.
Singng-"Trembe. King Alcoh OIL"
Observation-Disclosures BERTHE Policeman
kindergarten Class-song-Oonducted by Mrs. K. A.
Blaker, State w. c. 7. U. superintendent kindergar
ten temperance work.
Singng-"Let the Lower Lights Be Burning"