St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-13
Rev. NJ. MEG Dana, d ID.

Rev. DR.. Dana, Of St. Paul, said that for
the first time since his residence in the state
the subject of TEN perance had received from
the legislature so much consideration as on
this evening. The present Temperance law
of the state was good one, and all that was
asked was few vital amendments TO II, to
remedy the evils of too low license, non-jur
isdiction over Cities aud to raise the bonds
of those engaged in the sale. The
movement was 10 cover the entire state
and not any particular or single locality; in
fact, to make high license both local and
territorial, as the only remedial agent Of the
peup.e to regulate the liquor traffic for their
veal II was the divine law that il one
member in body polite suffers, the other
members would suffer with it, and the unre-
strictcd traffic in anv one locality in a state
Injuries the morals, furnishes the good name
and puts taxation on all its
citizenship. God always fastens the
other end Of the frtter which ensaves to the
neck of the enslaver. Down at the bottom all
commercial roots intcrlace in giving growth
to thrift and morality in people, and there
is no disconnecting their general and mu-
tual interests.
BEHIND THIS EFFORT
OF the best citizens OF the state to secure
high icrnse was no selAshness, but only the
desire to promote public good, and its advo-
Gates were not open to the impeach-
ment Of beiug extremists. This mat
ter Of LIQUOR restriction would not down, hut,
like Bauquos ghost, was bound to stalk
abroad. A great many Of the states had
adopted such laws, and those which had were
the most prosperous. The supporters Of this
movement were on no challenged ground
in asking these reforms. for they were mat
tiers affecting society and morals. Nebraska,
Illinois, Maine and Kansas had set lessons
on Is subject which should not be un-
needed. The effects OF this agitation Of the
moral sentiment of the people were not
growing less but greater, for all the nations
and sill our sister states without 1t were
clamoring for restrictive legislation. II has
been demon strated that eight tenths OF all
crime In the laud is caused by drink, aud
three-fourths OF the inmates OF the poor
houses werc put there by its direct influence.
Since 1860 Il has destroyed Eve times the
amoant OF our national debt, and two and
oue-half times the amount il cost to carry on
our war. Every twenty years, as nation,
We drink ourselves out OF the whole value
of the personal and real property in our
country.
No one in this state should oppose its be-
Ing restricted as a pccuniary safeguard.
He would put into one scale the 5000, 000,-
600 expended annually for drink in the Uni
ted states and all the expenses OF government
Of the country down TO cities aud towns,
schools. etc, land he could not foot up over
$500, O00, 900 expenses for such and still the
dark cost tipped the beam.
The waste OF labor employed 10 the manu-
fncturc 81 liquor was considered at l.nrth
ms com pared with what il would produce In
other channels Of business, Us also
the increasing pauperism In tits
and other lands, where wages
were never higher and the power Of money to
purchase had not deteriorated for years. He
aso compared the expenditure of our nation
Of S505. 600, 900 for bread annually with the
0,000, 900 expended TO psuperize our peo-
PIE With drink.
The advocates 81 high license In this state
ontagpnized no other temperance work. for
they we're seeking moderate prohibition, snd
10 secure means to bury this
evil. especially In the populnus cities. under
the surveillance ard authority Of the law
All the people were supposed % be interested
for the common good, and this was not
question OF politics, but one which as protec-
tive must stand upon its own merits We
have fairly reached the danger line, said
the speaker. when a traffic like this under
takes to say that it will thwart the law and
order sentiment OF our state, and II might rs
well understand now. that the win ming qucs-
ton Of this century will be that Of temper
suee TO the ultimate defeat of all opponents.
THE PEOPLE
who elected this legislature expected e to
represent their highest aud truest interests
In It's legislation. Impoverished homes,
overlooking prisons aud asylums aud Croan-
Ing tsIpsvers were back Of this measure.
Not Ouly our voices, be concluded, but
great multitude OF outraged humanity not
here. but whose cause Is felt Ly sympathetic
hearts TO appeal against power which saws
It will do as It plrascs. and put
all efforts 20 stay this tide OF evil
az defiance. The facts rCsu,tant upon the
liquor traffic arr not e. be eouiroveried they
have bevn proven tn other legislative courts
than ours ani have aud will result in pro-
teetivS legislation against drink from eastern
sea 10 western ocean. With unfailinr hdrl-
hy 20 the facts advanced. We ask Of this leg
islstnrv su amendment just and iuvsluahle
in is benefits IT, our state. and pray to God
that We may not have asked in vain.