Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-01


ASSIST IN THE OVERTHROW OF THE
LIQUOR TRAFFIC-HE SAYS he WILL NOT
BE PERSONAL.
A large audience gathered last evening
at Union Station Methodist church on
Twenty fourth and N. streets, to listen to
the remarks of Colonel j. J. Hickman, the
famous temperance lecturer from Kentucky.
Owing to the inefficient car service the
beginning of the lecture was considerably
delayed, for it was after $50 O'Clock when
the distinguished speaker reached that part
of the city, although he had started out in
timeto reachalmost any point within the city
limits with ordinary means of transporta-
tion.
After the singing of a hymn DR.. l.. A.
Cutler, of Marshal-street Christian church,
offered feryent prayer on behalf of the
temperance cause.
When another hymn had been sung Rev.
Mr.. George A. Lurry introduced, in a few
appropriate remarks, Colonel J. J. Hick-
man as a distinguished son Of one of the
Oldest daughters of Virginia. He added
that in his presentation Kentucky saluted
old Virginia.
COLONEL HICKMAN.
Colonel Hickman next stepped forward,
and although he excused his inability to
make lengthy address with his failing
health, he spoke for nearly an hour with
fervor and earnestness that deeply i'm
pressed his audience. His address was
highly interesting and frequently inter-
woven with illustrations taken from every
day life. He laid great stress on the fact
that he did Tot mean to harm anyone. He
60 in, mil for
he did not fight men but measures. Ii he
did step on anyone's toes, however, that
person should not say that he (the speaker)
was personal, but that he (the hearer) was
guilty.
Colonel Hickman then cited the dreadful
plague that visited Egypt in the angel of
death, who slew the first born. AS terrible
as this affection was, he continued, yet
there was some comfort in the fact that it
came but once. But how different it was
with the plague of drunkness which re-
turned with every generation to the same
household to claim its victims. The great
trouble was that people we're not houess
with themselves. If a drunkard died with
out money and influence no one hesitated
to admit that drunkness had been the cause
OF his premature death. However, if the
man happened to be in well-to-do circum
heart disease.
LIQUOR TR AFFIC.
To talk plainly on the subject he could
say but one thing, that liquor traffic was
either right or wrong. 1t it should make
the home happy and bring man under the
reach of the Gospel, then he would be
willing to admit that some good was de-
rived from the sale of liquor. However,
as long as it had the opposite effect, every
body ought to assist in its overthrow. 1t
was well known fact that the liquor
traffic never created any moral influence in
Richmond nor elsewhere. 1t never did
any good, and yet it was said that the
traffic was licensed in order to secure a
revenue. About eighty or ninety millions
per anpum were in this manner gathered
by the Government, but this tax of 80 cents
per gollon was solely paid by the consumer
and not one cent Of it came out of the
pockets of those who were engaged in pro-
ducing the liquor.
SOME FACTS.
1t certainly was sad spectacle to see a
great nation like the people of the United
States pay out about fifty millions per year
for the spreading of the gospel and ninety
five millions for educational purposes while
nine hundred and thirty-five millions we're
spent for drinks. No matter how high the
license fee was not particle of it was paid
by the producer, but all was contributed
by the consumer. Money was the only
object in the liquor traffic; if there was no
profit in it it would be very easy to stop it.
Judas betray Jesus for money, but he
finally 1epented and threw the money away
and hung himself, and it might be good
thing for this world if good many more
did the same thing.
He knew very well that this subject was
not a popular one, but he did not seek popu,
larity. He only wanted to show up the
LIQUOR traffic in its true light. Some per-
sors had an idea that if this traffic was
licensed it would be regulated, but this
could not be done, for it would be just as
EASY to regulate lot of hyenas.
Everywhere the Legislature, City Coun-
ellis and other officials were regulated by
the LIQUOR business and SO were the con
sinners. He did not blame any man for
wanting all the protection possible, but in
the instance of the liquor traffic there was
no protection at all.
THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE.
The people themselves were responsible
for it. The liquor dealer was only one