Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-28
THE TWO CRANKS.
THE TEMPERANCE CRANK. AND THE wHIsKEY
CRANK.


The temperance crank don't believe all that
Is said by the whiskey crank. The temperance
crank believes that great moral iniquity ex
lists in our midst-the license sy stem-and that
this moral iniquity engenders and propagates
the tremendous moral evil of intemperance,
with all its long train of attending evils, and
should be suppressed. The whiskey crank says
he does not believe this. but that this moral
1niquity promotes temperance, good morals.
and happiness-elevates the citizen, stmu-
lates virtue, and inspires noble aspirations-ls
a good thing and should not be suppressed
Now, the temperance crank cannot confident
ly and conscientiously accept this, because he
sees much corruption in both Church ana
State-sO much immortality, croOkedness, De
ception, wretchedn ess, suffering, and poverty
so many of the most brilliant intellects
blasted-so many of cur most noble and gener-
ous-hearted young men carried 10 untimely
graves, followed by broken-hearted wives ana
mothers-so many of the bravest, best, truest
and most devoted fathers laid under the tear
believed sod to await the resurrection, leaving
a legacy of bitterness and woe to their rum
cursed families. Some of the most successful
and esteemed business men-men of the high
est type of honor and integrity, being dragged
down to the depths of moral turpitude. physic-
the current of whose downward course was d.
Iected by the insidious enticements of the sa-
loon, that is fostered, protected, and sought to
be made respectable by this moral iniquty.-l
The temperance crank believes that this derk
catalogue of evils can be greatly curtaiied, if
not wholly obliterated by the removal of this
moral iniquity. The whiskey crank says this
iniquity ought to exist, because the all-wise
and merclful Creator implanted in the human
system the craving for stimuants, which must
be satisfied. The temperance crank entertains
some doubt on this point, especially when he
reads the testimony of the most famous scien-
lists and physicians, all of whom attest that
the craving is not normal, but abnormal; thot
the appetite is acquired. except when it is trans
m1tted by Incorporate progenitors; so the
temperance crank has the impression that if
the moral iniquity be suppressed. then the I'M
fortunate drunkard might have a chance to So
Der up, break the chains that bind him. and by |
the grace of God be delivered from his awful |
thraldom. The whiskey crank says the moral |
tniquity should not be suppressed because it is |
a legitimate and respectable business, and is |
so regarded by God and man. The temper
ance crank has some serious misgivings on this |
point He doubts that NAB, away down in the |
innermost recesses of his soul. recognizes it as
such, and becomes more mystified and doubt
full when lie reads some of the many awful
warnings of holy writ-"Woe to him that CIV
eth his neighbor drink. that putteth the bottle
to his lips,'' &c and when it speaks of the
mildest drink that it mentions. it says:-"Look
not upon the wine when it is red, when 1t CIV
eth its color in the cup, when it moveth itself
Alright; at the last it biteth like serpent and
stingeth like an adder" He has been told that
the bite of either is death. From these cogita-