St. Paul daily globe., 1889-04-01
TALKING FOR PROHIBITION.
Postmaster General Wanamaker Talks
Against Liquor Selling
IN THE KEYSTONE STATE
He Says 1t Is the Peoples Duty to Make
II as Difficult to Get Liquor
as Poison.

PHILADELPHIA, March 31.-Post-
master General Wanamaker made his
first public utterance to-day on the
question of high license and prohibition.
BE declared in favor of the constitu-
tional amendment, and eXhOrted the
800 persons who listened to his words to
work, pray and vote for it. Mr.. Wana-
maker reached Bethany Sunday school
at 2 O'Clock. Half an hour later, while
the Bethany orchestra played the open
ing hymn, Mr. Wanamaker was in his
place as superintendent of rhe largest
Sunday school class in America. After
the usual exercises Mr.. Wanamaker led
the way to the church, followed by 400
members of his adult Bible class and 400
visitors. While the visitors were being
seated, Mr.. Wanamaker announced
that it was quarterly meeting, and that
there was no regular lesson. He said
he had been requested to talk of temper
ance. He read portion of the fifth
chapter Of Ephesians, beginning with
the verse, 'sBe not drunk with wine."
He said: what is the Christian idea of
right? 1t is important that we get the
right thought, because then we will do
right and lead a happy life. The
Christian idea is that we carefully
guard our department. We should be
temperate in all things that we do. The
Bible says that he who does not do this
is fool. Now, a man who calls you
fool is not minded much, but when God
writes US down as fools it is a
VERY SERIOUS THING.
We should be temperate in every
thing. That means the use of tobacco
and of opium; it includes profanity and
anger and impurity of life. We are so
to talk that we shall build each
other up" Mr.. Wannamaker then re-
ferred to the wreck of the American
men-of-war at Samoa, and then spoke
OF the broken-hearted wives and chill
dren who were waiting for the return of
their husbands and fathers, who had
been dashed to pieces on the rocks.
He continued: Fright here in our city
are broken-hearted people beaten
against the rocks of adversely by the
who will not sign a temperance pledge,
though he does not need it himself,
to help weaker brother, is not
as much of man es he thinks himself
to be. Christ said: Deny yourselves.
Take up your cross and follow Me-
There is need to be drunk to be under
the influence of wine. The man who
takes only little and will not give it
up is as much controlled by it as it he
was habitual drunkard. He is under
the influence because he wont give it
up. What's the reason you won't stand
out for the amendment? Because you
like glass of beer? You say Il want
to be free TO take an occasional drink if
/ feel like it, What influence keeps
you from voting for the amendment?
Isn't the influence that of the glass of
beer? There are thousands of men in
this city who do not get drunk. They
say: we have the right to drink it if
we want to; to sell 1t; to buy it, or to
give it away A man may not drink it
all, but he may be under the influ-
ence of
THE LIQUOR SPIRIT.
He will say: i am temperance man,
but am in business and the liquor peo-
pie deal with me, SO L won't say any
thing against it, Now what influence
is he under? It's the same with many
politician. He's afraid he won't get
votes, so he is silent on the liquor ques-
ton. When a minister or teacher re-
fuses to speak out on this question he is
ruled by the liquor interests. The
drunkard who votes for prohibition is
freer man than the total abstainer
who carries water OH both shoulders
and then votes for liquor, or to put 1t in
the harness of high license. Just as
the saloonkeeper must answer for
every glass he sells, so we must answer
for voting for liquor. 1t is simply a
question of whether or not we are
in favor of the saloon. 1t isn't
a question of high license. The
quibble that prohibition does not pro-
hiblt has nothing to do with it. The
law against stealing does not prevent
stealing. The same power that puts
the amendment on our constitution will
attend to the enforcement of the law.
1t is our duty to make it as difficult to
get liquor as it is to get poison. License
means that the city. the state and the
salOonkeeper shall go into partnership
to ruin men. to build up jails, aims
houses, hospitals and houses of correc-
tion and to keep up the taxes. Gods
going to count the votes. Vote for pro-
hibition and you will be voting for Him,
for order, for religion and for the high
est civilization. He will see every bal
lot. When you go home tonight go
down on your knees, every one of you,
and pray God to help you to carry the
amendment" Mr.. Wanamaker then
closed with PRAYER.