The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-03-21
The New Reforncr q.

up the editor thereof 10 write on the
temperance question. The articles
abound IN advice to our temperance
workers, and he would have us under
stand that they are men of narrow
ideas, and stand nowhere in compar-
issn with himself as broad minded
retormer ON this question.
Well, | am very glad to learn that
he has any ideas at all on this subject,
and is disposed to enlist his great pow
ers in the cause Of temperance. Our
present workers are doubtless, willing
and glad to receive good advice, but
that offered by this new retormer is too
much like that which the saloon keep
er and his friends have been giving
them for years, to insure its being fol
lowed, Something new would be more
acceptable.
These alledged temperance reform
ers" Will, no doubt, in view of the
prospect of gaining 50 great co-adju-
ter as this editor, extend to him char
ity in his youthful experience in this
work, hoping that through the contin-
ued exercise of his mighty genius, and
study Of the temperance question,
he will soon come to 4 knowledge of
the truth and render efficient aid to
the cause
| am glad to note another thing too,
and that Is, that the editor appears TO
shrink back with some degree of alarm
at the very thought of being classed
among the champions of the whisky
traffic. Many Of our people begar TO
wonder if he had enlisted his powers
in the interests of that terrible destroy
er. OF course it was his privilege TO
do SO if he wished, but if he was going
To make war upon temperance work
ers, and run his paper in the interests
OF the greatest curse that ever afflicted
human society, a goodly number of our
people who have some regard for tenn
peranee and morality, would like to be
excused from patronizing such a sheet
Nor were their fears wholly imaginary
and groundless, either, for since he be-
came editor here what has he said
through his paper for the encourage
ment of the temperance cause? But
little, if anything, save his editorial Of
January 1st, on high license, and he
could not get through that without
giving an unjust and uncalled for stab
at prohibition and its friends.
But this silence on temperance
might not have been justly construed
as hostility TO the temperance reform
If it had not been for his rowdyish at
tack on some Of the leading temper
ance men in the country. See his per-
sonal and disrespectful attack Jan
uary Sth. on President Bascom, Of the
Safe University; and his low, person
al attack January I'D on St. John;
also his ungentlemanly, personal at
tack February 9TH and 18th on VIM,
Irle and his temperance paper at She'll
Lake. Editorials which lead some TO
wonder if the writer thereof had not
been practicing the advice he gave to
a brother editor February Sd, to get
on a rip-roaring drunk " and had not
fully recovered from its inspiring eff
fects. These things lead some to be-
licve that he had gone over, bag and
baggage, to the whisky interest. Ger
tain it IS, that when n man thus writes
about temperance workers he gives aid
and comfort to the friends Of rum, they
rejoice at it and hail It's author in ev-
Y saloon as the champion Of their
cause whether he desires to be 50 con
sidered or not Did he expect to thus
write and escape criticism? Perhaps
he thought these narrow minded tenn
perance folks would not dare criticise
such a broad guaged editor as he,
That by one stroke Of his mighty pen
he woulk strike terror to their hearts
and they would not dare speak in their
own defense. Silence would indeed
have been sweet charity TO him and
those whom he comforted, but what
would it have been to those 50 unjustly
attacked? Mercy to the sharp toothed
vol is base cruelty to the defenseless
sheep and helpless lamb That char
itv which tolerates evil and allows per-
sistant evil doors to 90 unrebuked is
not the kind that comes from above
and is pure.
Now if the editor Of the Inter-Ocean
IS not really on the other side of the
fence Of temperance and morality, |
am, with many others. glad to have our
minds disabused Of that naughty idea.
If he is on the other side, and don't
like it there and wants to come over
on this side we will re5oice, and extend
to him a helping hand. | assure him
that in his case law shall not be used
in any attempt at reform, but he shall
have the full benefit of all the mild
and persuasive eloquerce to develop
manhood " that can be mustered. 1t
would, however, be more becoming in
so verdant a convert to the temper