The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-09

sport is enjoved in proportion to its
rarity; and it is very rare.
Representative Cutcheon, of MIchi-
gan, In an address on Temperance last
Sunday evening, at the Western Pres
byterian Church, said that the social
customs of Washington were responsible
for much of the evil resulting from the
use of Intoxicating drinks, and by 80
doing stirred up a veritable hornets
nest. "Men and women he said,
were tempted beyond what they were
able to bear, lost their moral balance.
and drifted into lives of sim" He knew
of no other city where there was as
much wine drinking. A consensus of
opinion of prominent ministers of the
gospel and others show that in their
judgement the facts do not warrant such
broad statement, and that social tip
piers are rare. In commenting on this
question:, a local writer says:
"The tact that the present administra-
ton is known not only in Washington,
but to the world at large, as cold-water
administration, goes to prove that not
only is the Chief Magistrate vitality in
terested in the question discussed at
length by Representative Cutcheon, but
this interest Is shared by Mrs. Harrison
and the wives of the Cabinet officers.
Mrs Harrlson's views on the subject of
temperance are of the most pronounced
character, and though the subject is one
on which she has persistently refused
to be interviewed since her residence
in the White House, yet it is one on
which to her intimate friends she never
hesitates to express her opinion. Per-
sonally Mrs. Harrison never touches
punch, wine~or liquor of any description,
and could her private wishes be carried
out In he state dinners the only liquid
served would be ApoIliparis water. In
this matter, however, she bends to pub,
lie opinion, and, putting her own feel
ing In the background, has the regula-
ton number of wines served at those
ceremonies.
ION the Presidents private table
wine Is never served; indeed 80 rigid is
the rule in this respect that the use of
liquor is ney er allo wed in the prepare
ton Of dish unless 1t would otherwise
prove absolutely unpalatable. On
| Christmas Day the plum pudding was
served, deco rated with sprig of holly,
but the old-fashioned custom of lighting
| i was omitted.
Mrs Morton never serves anything
in the nature of an lntoxicant at her
Wednesday afternoon receptions. For
those who do not care for hot tea and
chocolate there is always prepared q
large bowl OF cafe frappe. At her eve
ming card receptions, however, when
the company is smaller than when the
general public is admitted, as is the case
on Wednesdays, bowl of punch il
placed at one side of the square entrance
hall. Mrs. Morton is an abstemious
woman, and though declining TO pre-
scribe any set course of action for 9TH
ers, is personally opposed to the indis-
criminate serving of punch at afternoon
receptions, or INDUCING in wines al
luncheons and dinners.
Postmaster General and Mrs. Wanna.
maker have found an agreeable substi
tute for punch in fragrant compound
of orangeade and fresh strawberries
They have the courage of their own
convictions in the matter of serving Ii.
quor in any form, even at their Cabinet
dinners, where nothing but Apollinaris
water is allowed.
Attorney General and Mrs. Miller
have also made departure from the
usual order of things in introducing, in
stead of punch, a compound for which
they alone have the recipe, and though
| frequently importuned to impart the
secret, laughingly refuse, allowing that
none but themselves can properly brew
Indianapolis punch, in which rasp-
berry, vinegar, and lemon juice predo.
inmate"
However the question of wine-drink-
ing in polite society may be settled, the
fact remains that there is good deal of
drunkenness to be seen in this city; and
it is by no means confined to any one
class, some of it's victims being well
dressed and some in rags. have even
seen some exhibitio ns-thank God they
are rare-of that saddest of spectacles,
a drunken woman. On the same eve
ming that Mr.. Cuacheon lectured, DR..
Nay lor said, from his pulpit in the
Hamline Methodist Church here, that
the most pleasant smell in the world to
him is the smell of gin; that the roses
"And," said he, 'I acquired this taste,
surrounded by ministers, in my fathers
house." He told of another we'll
known minister who had to walk lit
tie faster and button his coat a little
closer in passing saloon. It Is a mis-
take to suppose that they alone are
tempted to drink who yield to the
tempter. The trail Of the. serpent is
over it. all 1 returned from hearing
that sermon resolved to sign the pledge
and to keep it; and to do all l can
even if it be but httle-"for God and
home and native land" W. L. A.