Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-03-14
Reply TO the Indian, John Daylight's
Query "Is Il Christian-Like ?" In
baxter News, Jan. 81.
BY EQUIPoIsE

Baxter News, Jan. 81.
BY EoUIPoIsE.
A few weeks ago the members OF
the churches in this town were ar
raigned by an Indian, in the Indian
territory-one John Daylight-for
giving free expression to their opinions
in signing remonstrancc to the COVER
nor Of Kansas against pardoning a no.
tOrious offender against the law OF the
land. This Indian proceeded to state
that "neary all of the best citizens OF
Baxter had signed contemplation,
asking the governor to mitigate the
sentence of the law" From his stand
point it is perhaps not strange that he
made this statement, but Is IT true
that "nearly all the citizens of Baxter"
are in favor of whiskey selling and
whiskey drinking? And has il come
to this, that the christian people OF
Baxter Springs, when they venture to
ask the governor of their state not TO
interfere with the law in its execution
of righteous sentence upon one who
has been, according to common repute,
for years leader in the vile whisEey
traffic in our midst; when to pro-
tect the interests OF their sons, and
husbands, they ask that this one be not
pardOned, are they To be accused, III j.
D's. words, of "Malignant, revengeful,
barbarous Authorizations full OF UNI
dying,vindictivc, never dying hatred !"
1t is no wonder that an Indian thus
misundcrstands the spirit of our
christianity. We can expect nothing
else of him. TO him the sale OF
whiskey is especially forbidden by the
United States government, but we may
infer from his letter that he loves
whiskey, Graves it, and through the IL
iicit sale of whskey by George Polster
he has heretofore been able to obtain
it; ergo he says, let George Polster go
free.
j. D. says, in his ignorance of the
evils Of the whiskey traffic-ignorance
pardonable 10 an Indian-ihat II full
pardon froG the governor would
work no serious injury to any one.
No injury to this town to allow TO go
unpublished q man whose crime Is
keeping open the gates Of moral per-
dition for our citizens young and old !
If only one Of. our sons is ruined
through the influence OF this man who
has, il is true "erccted one of the finest
buildings in Baxter" perhaps il is a
matter or small concern. But If this
boy were John Daylight's son perhaps
he would take it differently. When
the great Horace Mann was accused
of undue enthusiasm in carrying Oh
some projected reform, because, as
one remarked, it was "too much fnss
for one boy" he said. eyes, but if tina,
one BOY were yours"
We appeal, then, not to the Indian
of the Indian territory for advice as
to the course which we christians
should take in this matter, but to the
example Of orr Lord Jesus, who was
always outspoken in the face OF moral
wrong, and 10 ourselves as christian
citizens of Baxter, we ask this qucs-
ton to be answered by true men and
women at the polls at our approach
ing election. Shall we range our
selves with j. ID. on the side OF
whiskey, or against it?
When christians are moral towards
then popular vices flourish in our
midst. Let us throw aside all fear OF
man, and as christians stand together
in this terrible fight against the drag
on, whiskey, which is running our
young men, our boys, our old men.
Let us cry aloud, if need be. Better
still, let us pray to our Father who
seelh in secret, and our Father will
hear.
The woman's crusade, which has
already produced such mighty results
in the cause of temperance, was be-
gun in prayer. "More things are
wrought by prayer than this world
dreams of" Tennyson says. And
'not by might, nor by power, bnt by
MY Spirit" saith the Lord of Hosts.
Christian men and women, let us
pray that Baxter Springs may be de-
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