The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-04
ORATIONS ON PROHIBITION
Result of the Contest Between Repre-
sentatives of Indiana Colleges.
W. J. Beckett. of DePauw University. Award
ed the First INSTRUMENTATION Of an
intercollegiate Prohibition Association.

ABOUT three hundred people dSSeuoioo al
Plymouth Church last night to listen to contest
speeches On the question of temperance and pro-
hibition by students in Indiana colleges. The
audience was one of prohibition sentiments, and
was very generous with its applause
The fret speaker Daniel Freeman, of the
American Normal College. He argued that pro-
hibition can only be accomplished by active
work upon the part Of every member. The
farmer should use every effort to influence his
associates The orator should train his powers
for the advocacy Of the prohibition cause, and
woman, Ia whom is vested, perhaps,
the greatest power of all, should employ the
wondrous charms of her character IN winning
young men to the temperance cause.
The second speaker and successful contestant
was W. j. Beckett, of DePauw University. He
made fine appearance, was natural and forci-
ble in his address. and at once made favorable
impression on the audience. He stated that
political parties necessity from the consti-
tuition OF society. They are organized to pro-
mote q national interest. The principle which
a party advocates constitutes it's animating
spirit, and when the principle for which it is
organized is no longer an issue the party is prac-
the Republican party into existence
was opposition to negro slavery. The
Democrats party was the ousgrowth of opposi-
ceased to animate the old parties. and they have
become hunters for spoils. A vital question be-
fore the American people is the cause OF prohi-
bItion, and around that cause should rally the
independent thinkers of both old parties. From
neither of them temperance reform be
pected. 1t 10 the duty of conservative men to
form this third party. for it is only by independ-
ence of previous political utilization that temper
ance reform or any other great reform can be
inaugurated and carried to a successful conclu-
sion.
E. F. Barker. of Central Normal College. fol-
lowed. He thought that in the temperance
cause the people have temporiZed long enough.
and it is time act Temperance people have
worn themselves out with petitions, crusades
and remonstrances They have in their hands
is the sword to the soldiers their weapon is the
ballot, and it is by that only that the
curse Of intemperance can be abolished.
w. Q. Loar of the Indiana Physio Medical
College, took medical view of the subject. He
showed that alcohol is not nutrltive, as has been
claimed. It may and does prevent disintegra-
ton of the tissues. But it is only by the waste
OF exhausted tissue that the processes of life are
carried on.
The next speaker was s. c. SPENCER, of
Wabash College. His address was logical and
well delivered He thought that the two sources
of evil in society may be divided into two
classes-things which are good in themselves,
and things which in themselves evil
The former must be regulated and the latter
forbidden. There is very little that can be con-
sidered good in the liquor traffic and it ought to
be radically dealt with. The most successful
temperance work must be done along the line of
preventing in young men the formation of in
temperate habits. The tendency of license
high or low, is to preserve the gilded saloon. 1t
Is this class OF saloons that young men frequent
, The GROCERY is Stunned. Better by far have
all groggeries than all gilded saloons. License
thus fails in the most important feature, and
prohibition presents the only rational method Of
dealing with the Both the old parties
hostile to the movement, and the only solution
lies in the strengthening of the Prohibition
party: God and right are with the movement,
and it will succeed
University. Liquor annually costs 5000, 900, 900,
q sufficient cause, he thought, to the
formation of a new political party. 1t is unwise
TO expect anything from the Republican party,
and the Democratic party is on record against
sumptuary legislation. The only course pre-
sented is in the formation of a third party. It
was q political necessity that organized the Pro-
hibition party. and it has come to stay. United
action is needed, and the victory is won.
AT the conclusion of the speeches, the Judges,
Walter Mills. of Chicago; J. S. Hughes, DR..
Pleasant Bond and L. d. Ratlif, with Sylvester
johnson, referee, retired, and the decision
announced q few minutes later. W. j. Beckett,
of De PAW University, the successful con-
testant,' winning the cash prize of $50. Next in
rank to Mr. Beckett stood W. j. Russell, of
Butler University. After the decision of the
judges had been announced, Mr.. Miller. of Chi
cago, was introduced, and gave q spirited talk
on temperance issues. .es
An intercollegiate Prohibition Association.
Previous to the oratorical contest last night,
delegates from nearly all the colleges and more
important educational in situations Of the State
met at Plymouth Church in the afternoon and
organized The Indiana intercollegiate Prohibi-
ton Association. Its object is the formation of
prohibition club among the students OF the
different colleges. The officers of the State as
ISOLATION were, President S. G. Spencer, Of Wa
bash College, secretary and treasurer, w. B.
Hill. of Earlham College. Provision was also
made for vice president from each college in
the association. The contest last night
association and the expenses were paid out of
the admission fee charged. The Indiana $3.50 |
citation organized yesterday is a branch OF the |
National intercollegiate Prohibition Association.
Its movers and membership include Joseph |
Cook, Herick Johnson, ex-President MeCosh, of
Princeton, President Bascom, of Wisconsin |
University, and a large mum Der of eminent men. |
Some time nextJune the National Association |
will hold at Tomlinson Hall interstate collie |
giate oratorical contest which there will be
representa- speakers from nearly every State
in the Union.
MTN0R CITY MATTERS