West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-01

49,
questions pending, big with issue to
all West Vlrginians, no one will dare
deny. The tariff question. with its
many sided views and issues, are
doubtless of some Importance to the
people of this State. But there
seems TO me to be another question
before the people of this State at this
time to be decided very soon that is
vastly more important than all the
so-called tariff issues that ever came
before a people. It seems strange TO
me that people-christian people can
be so apathet:c in the face of an issue
having in it so much of veal or woe
to the commonwealth and the adj
vancement of all the States best in
~terests.
The ratification of the probibitory
amendment seems to me to be the one
issue that ought to take the prece-
dent to all others, from the fact that
God does not give a people such a
chance oftener than once in q gene.
ration to strike a telling blow for the
emancipation of the people from a
BONDAGE more galling-grinding-
heart. breaking - ace.destroying-
hell-consigning than all the other
bands that satanic influence or hellish
ingenuity ever devised. This ques-
ton, in the providence of God, is
thrust squarely before the christian
people of this State, and it remains
to be seen whether they will make
the most of this opportunity, for if
they do not ratify the amendment It
will be q long time before another
opportunity will be given again.
There seems to be an influence
bearing upon the minds of the people
that it is q question of minor irupor-
lance or of secondary consideration
to the all absorbing and oversbadow-
ing question of the tariff. l have
heard three or four representative
men making speeches upon the tariff,
and to hear them declaim one would
naturally suppose that there was no
other thought for the American PEG.
pie and West Virginians in particu-
lar than that pertaining to the tariff
issues. There is little doubt but that
the tariff is Of some Importance;
and that there are quite a diversity
of opinions on the question is already
pretty well established; but that it is
the only question before the people
worthy of consideration seems the
strangest thing of all. The Repub-
lican view of the tariff is for protec.
ton to our American industries; that
is we'll, but strange to say 1 have not
heard one single word from the hust.
ings about home protection-protec-
ton from the hellish influence of the
saloon-protection from an influence
that is ten fold more blighting to our
industries than all the imported goods
OF christendom free of duty-not a
word about protection from an ele-
ment in our midst that is c~ensigning
more than sixty thousand Of the cit
liens of our country to untimely
graves-not n word about protec-
ton from an enemy in u midst that
is as defiant and INSCRIPTIONS as sa.
tan, destroying the peace Of our
homes, dragging down to the lowest
dspths of degradation many of the
best of our citizens, breaking the
hearts Of wives and mothers, desola-
ting happy homes, driving into the
streets, ~pinching with hunger and
clothing with rags hundreds and
thousands Of helpless. innocent chill.
dren. Let US tLen place some kind
Of a protective measure in the consti
tuition OF our State that will forever
protect u homes against the inva-
sions Of the saloon. A p~rohibitory
kiud of tariff law that will forever
exclude from our mountain State this
enemy to all peace and good. The
Democratic view OF the tariff is for
revenue only, or for tariff reduction.
Not a word said about reducing the
grinding and damaging tariff laid by
the Saloon upon so many Of the once
happy homes of our people, demand.
ing the sacrifice OF husbands and IA
theirs, .c%ursing the lives Of wives and
d~istracting the hearts Of mothers,
leading astray the sons and debauch.
ing the daughters-not a word said Of
the iniquity Of this tariff, Mr.. Demo-
crat. Tariff reduction may be all right;
doubtless is right from your view.
Do not forget, then, to reduce the tar.
III laid by the saloon, 80 low that it
will forever fee the country. a good
$500. - .mn.-af-- III a.