Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-24
A Comparison.

columns, will present few thoughts as
they occurred to me while blowing my corn
the other day. Among the weeds that had
found their way into my field noticed
small vine, known to farmers as the wild
sweet potato vine, and in thinking of its
destructive powers, was led to institute
comparison between it and the liquor traf-
tic. Let us take good field of corn, from
which all the weeds have been removed,
with the exception Of very small vine
which may be found once in while, but
which is so small that you consider it be-
meath your notice. supposing that it can in
no way affect the crop. And neither does
it that year. But as you pass over the
ground the next year, you notice that the
vines are increasing in numbers. Yet you
merely breaking them off, or perhaps YOU
may pillow one up occasionally. The roots
are still there, however, and as you con-
tinue to give them very little attention they
multiply until you have field literally
overrun with vines. Now you are alarmed,
indeed, and wish to get rid of the dreadful
pest. But how to do this is the question.
You see an old man approaching, and
hasten to him with your inquiry.
ooh" he answers, "let them alone. This
is q free country. They have as good a
right to grow as the corn"
"But," you say, "they IRE running my
crop"
swell" he replies, II wouldn't give much
for corn that can't grow among such small
things as those"
You leave him feeling that his is not the
right way surely, and seeing another man,
you present the same question: GLOW
shall rid my field of these vines?"
He stops, looks at the field, and says:
"This is bad state of affairs, and some
thing must be done. But it is impossible
to do away with them entirely, and the best
thing you can do is to regulate them"
So you go to work with q will, and pull
out the small, puny vines, and allow the
strong, healthy ones in the corn row to re-
main. Now. have you bettered the. condi-
ton of your crop in any way? No. You
find to your sorrow that matters are even
wore than before. While wondering what
you will do next, strong, healthy, grow
ing boy comes up and says: "Why don't
you pull those vines out, roots and all,
clean as you go?"
But" you say, shat will take SO long;
I'm afraid it can't be DONE"
"Well," he answers, "you be sure to get
the roots, and assure you there will be no
further trouble"
AS the other plans have failed, you con-
clude to follow his advice, and find that,
although it may be slow process, the re-
suit is satisfactory.
Now, Mr.. Editor, 10 my mind this vine
bears striking resemblance to the great
evil of intemperance. The world is the
field, and intemperance the vine. and there
has been SO little attention paid to it, that
it has almost gotten beyond coutrol. One
party says, "Let it alone" Another,
REGULATE, or drive out the small saloons,
and leave the large ones, which do the
greatest amount of harm by far, but are
able to pay their 5000. But the Third party
says, "Pull it out root and branch, but be
sure you get the root, and then, if any
branches remain, they will die of their owr
accord"
Now, let us strike at the root of this bus
mess; prohibit it's manufacture, and certain
victory is ours.
We might also institute another compari-
son. At first the vine seems harmless, bu
soon begins to send out runners which
Irvine themselves about the stock, until they
pull it down and destroy it. So with the
appetite for strong drink. The first glass
does not seem to affect the system TO any
great extern but Us the habit is continued
the desire for drink is strengthened, ant
soon the life is entirely ruined. and the sou
forever lost. Let us come to the front ant
dig this thing out Ivy the roots.--Jason II
Nc Vay, IN the Beacon.