The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-20
Another GARD From MIR. Smith.

To The INDEPENDENT: l ask space in
your columns to notice a letter in this
mornings paper signed "An Admirer of
Francis Murphy" The writer evidently
sought to cover up his identity, but did not
succeed. BY certain ear-marks it was
quite EASY to locate him. He must excuse
me from getting down to his level and at
lacking him personally, which it might be
very easy to do. But l am not in the bust
ness of attacking men. l am warning for
My article in tuesdays paper was not an
attack on Francis Murphy. 1t was Il de-
tense of prohibition and its advocates.
Bro. Murphy was not a stranger and
for two weeks before his meeting
was begun the newspapers advertised
him without stint and the preachers were
urging their people to cooperate with him.
Men Of all churches and some of no
church were on hand at the first.
In his first OF second address he slapped
these men in the face By saying in effect
that the methods of prohibitionists weIe
wrong. That they were seeking to put
rings in peoples noses by which to lead
them around and make them good. This
and kindred expressions were repeated over
and over until they became stale and dis
gushing. Still the prohibitionists worked
on and held their peace.
My critic SAYS that "since l have made
the loud profession of being Wiling to
plead, pray. etc., let us hope to find him
now and then working outside the narrow
bounds of his own church. Let us look for
him, say once in each month, to be doing a
little praying and pleading where it is most
n~eeded-not in the presence of an audience
Of cultured and believing Christians. but on
upper Main street and vicinity" II | were
ever SO much disposed to go here and there
at his nod md beck | could not, as after
having been afflicted with sciatica twenty
Years. l find that to walk a mile or more,
then stand an hour and then walk another
mile is not promotive of either health
or plety.
and pleading at the upper end of Main
street would make of me what something
has made of my critic, an ambushed assalle1
of men, l hope l may never be permitted tt
90 there for that purpose. ;.
He says that the principle "by their fruit
on Mr.. Smith. If you space and my tim'
and modesty did not forbid l could tak'
him back over q history of twenty
Ave years and show him some
thousands of men and women VIII,
have been saved through my humble lnstru
mentality. When my critic can show fruits
of his labor equal to mine, won through tot
and suffering and sacrifice, he will speak will
more meekness and wisdom.
And now as to the results of the meet
inQs, / want to say wait and see what the,
will be a year from now. The writer ha
been through n number of such meetlng'
before this. With others and also alone n
held moral suasion meetings where thou
sands signed the pledge. many OF whom
were addicted to drink. He has gone bacl
n year or so later to find tho work oil lost
Why? Because the saloons were open wit
gilded furnishings, free lunch, soft must
and beautiful women. The odds were to-
great. The devil WAS too potent and tn
work was lost. And thus will it o%ontinu
to be SO long rs We license men to max
drunkards and criminals, widows an,
orphans. The license sN stem whether higI
or low is the most outrageous, the mos
baleful, the most nhuman of any systen
known to me. l feel that the public con
science should be aroused on this matter
and am determined 10 do what | can t
portray the enormity of this evil.
If your correspondent or some rerutabl
gentleman who favors license is willing t
Join me in discussing the relative merits o
license and prohibition, | will be glad to d
what ] can to place this matter squared
before the people. l would discuss TIN
question, with your permission, throug
TuE INDEPENDENT, or orally.
j. N. SMITH.
, Helena, Aug. 10, 1891.