The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-16

Suitof VI the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES iHSL even
ing with a request that it be printed:
"A CARD FROM Mr.. HUNT"
"YARRow, Nov. Is. 1891.
EDITOR Posr ISTELLrGEscEs-Dedr Sir: As
l read your editorial in today's issue headed
"Ihe Dirty Work OF Temperance Reform" con-
strue IL 70 be q reflection upon the Blue Ribbon
cause and Mr.. Murphy's noble work. II such
construction is a correct one then desire to be
among the FIRST 10 denounce the editorial. Re-
spectfully, L. s. j. Husr"
careful, conscientious reference to the
files Of the Posr-ISTELLIGEscER and candid
reflection will satisfy Mr.. Hunt that his
construction of the article which has given
him offence is without warrant of fact or
reason. Here is the record of the Posr-
INTELLIGENCE concerning Mr.. Murphy
and his excellent work: On October 90
in reply to an injurious inquiry of a cor
respondent, which had already been
bruited by the press of this state, the Pcsr-
IsrELLIGEScER said:
The accusation referred to by our correspond
ent has been disproved so often that it seems
hardly necessary TO say again that Francis MUIR
phys honor is unstained. He married the di-
yorced wife of a drunkard aud that is the only
part OF the story that is true.
On the morning of the 3ist Of October
very handsome complimentary notice of
Mr.. Murphy and his work appeared in the
local columns of this paper.
On the same day Mr.. Murphy called on
the editor of this paper and thanked him
for his prompt vindication of his good
name. On Sunday morning, November 1,
in ha obi faI lad
Murphy's Method" the PosT-INTELLr-
GEScER said:
Francis Murphy speaks tonight on temper
ance and he deserves full house, for Mr..
Murphy's methods of dealing with the public
discussion of the evil of the drink habit is
instinct with the spirit of moral suasion and
purest philanthropic appeal. Mr.. Murphy does
not preach the shallow doctrine that men will
never be sober chaste until the saloon and
the brothel are legally forced to go, but he
argues and pleads for that self-restraint whose
practice il the only thing that can surely mako
the world OF saloons and brothels a deserted
village.
Mr.. Murphy does not attempt to deal with a
vice which has for centuries corrupted ana Grip
pied the vigorous health of society from top to
bottom az IL IL was only superficial streak OF
dirt that could be sponged off its cheek with
little effort.
~r. Murphy makes no sentimental excuses for
either Robert Burns or the idle, drunken. wretch
ed stevedore, but he has words of solemn admo-
milton, wise counsel, encouragement. love and
charity for all who are In the bonds OF alcohol
ism, and honestly wish 10 break their chains.
There is nothing of melodrama in Mr..
Murphy methods. His road to reformation does
not lie through entertainment
II there were no charities but organized public
philanthropy the deserving poor would have
hArd time: II there We're no temperance workers
but the orotund or strident disclaimers OF tenn
perance meio-dramatcs, the nrmher OF re-
formed men would be comparatively few. 1t Ii
the pr vate kindness, the long sutferpgpstience,
the honest sympathy, the delicate generosity
which helps but never tells, that works the
greatest good in this world This Is the spirit of
Nj. Murphy's effort against inter.perance; he
works by the moral snssion Of philanthropic APP
peal, febuke, sympsthy aui remonstrance.
On Sunday afternoon the editor of this
paper attended the first lecture of Mr..
MrrpAy. and from that time until the
present datsf fail and commendatcry no.
tiees Of Mr.. Murphy and his work were
printed. by the express order of the editor,
ip the columns of this paper. On Wednes-
dap. November IL, the observation-disclosures
editofially said of Mr.. Murphy, under the
head 'Fhe Craftsmanship of Com
PROMISE"
The temperance reform meetings OF Francis
MURRAY owe much OF their success to the SIM
p1lclty OF his methods He is content with say
Ing hat there is danger In the couviyial use of
alcohol for even the most prudent and moderate
dfinker, and therefore, my friend don't use it.
To TITO victim OF alcoholism he says:
stsYoa are responsible for your condition;
don't sscribe IL 20 the saloon; your thirst
and lack Of self-restraint is responsible
Ter The saloon; conquer yourself by believing
that il IS a great sin TO re a drunkard, and the
death Of the saloon will follow your restoration
70 moral health" Mr.. Murphy Is not "a pleader
for prohibition, because he knows that prohibit
tion Is not principle: II is only the application
OF means to the end of eInperance, concern
tug the practical worth of which equally good
friends of temperance widely differ.
These citations would seem to be suffi-
Gent 10 satisfy any right thinking man
that tne PosT-ISTELLIGEScER was with Mr..
Murphy in the spirit of his work.
So far as the article of Sundays issue,
which seems 70 have given Mr.. Hunt Of
fence is concerned, it was intended simply
as a { iendly warning that what was good
for ~ v men was not the most judicious
treat 1ent for all men. We quote:
he sest workers for temperance are those
wisD ave warm hand OF help for the weak
zen he drowning man is willing 20 swim for
has 4 who DO not urge every man who needs
refoG gtlon TO dub himself recent druukard
~ D. ;ing the hospital dag OF blue string in
his ION hole. because they know that IL is not
gooa some men to stand up in public meet
las ali kinds and degrees Of intelligence and
fels story OF hts Sia, his shame and his sui
ieging. There is always danger that such man
Will gradually come to use his eloquent tale OF
past inlaIny to feed his love of notoriety and
really lose rather than gain in moral strength
aud sei.-respect.
The reader viii notice that we say care
fully that ii Is not good for every nan" to
wear blue ribbon: it is not good for
''so'ae n'en" TO stand up in general pub
lie meetiag and tell the story Of his sin,
his shame and his suffering. We further
said:
The experiences Of n public meeting ara
always trying to those WHO consent to iuu-
inmate the occasiou ~ the skiliiully told tale
O: their past degradation. lew men have
done IL aud not deterorated, but IL is A dam
gerous experiment Many gifted fellow, who
hiss honestly reformed. has been spotted BY
being encouraged 70 irr&dlate a public meeting
with his eloqueuos rather taan urged TO take a
back SCAT aud ~ 10 WORK.
"A few, men have done il and not deteri.
Grated. but ii is dangerous experiment. I"
Francis Murphy has done it: John b.
Cough did it. but these are men of ex.
ceptional strength and power To weaker
men this public trial would not be the
best discipline. For weaker men. and the
mass of men are weaker than either MUIR
ply or Cough, We repeat that in our judg-
ment it would lie discipline of doubtful