The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-01-23
Temperance in Ketchum.

ED. KEYSTONE: Ketchum is under the
reproach Of having no Temperance Co.
ciety. Several attempts ct osxanlzation
have been made but 20 far without per-
manent success. The writer of this, BY
his protest in last weeks KEYsT0NE
against what seems . most serious defect
of speech and manner in some Of the
travelling Temperance lectarezs, brought
upon himself = criticism in turn BY N
earnestly expressed fear that the publica-
ton Of such m article in tho press would
give aid and comfort to the enemies Of
temperance, which in itself 10 . deeply
good cause however imperfect the work
and worken in 1t may Be. There being
coeency 10 this criticism desire to ex-
press myself more amply upon the sub
ject. That the defender Of drinking
should make the most Of any opportunity
to comfort themselves 10 but natural.
They, too, like temperance people, are
weak and human. Yet they want the
truth, and should in good faith be ad-
dressed to the end that whatev er the truth
be in the matter it can and will win with
fair men In the end. Great moral reforms
are stupendous and heart burning under
takings with men, - yet. In this one Of
Temperance especially. when 20 much
that - supposed to b science il invoked
~ authority for the moderate use Of alco-
holic drinkin9-even the majority of our
doctors still possessed with the idea of
ito need snd value-is 1t matter Of won
der, or deserving Of mercileas moral con
demnation, that the best men fall into the
trap Of drunkennessi Al matter of fact
We must continue helplessly to see hun.
dreds of good men fall into the fatal trap
for the present. This being the case, how
much it behooves all people, aud especial
" the drinking men themselves, that the
Temperance reformers be held to their
true ground, viz: moral earnestness and
dignity and mercy Of advocacy based
upon tho largeness and adequacy of their
knowledge Of the subject!
This question, and the helping of men
in 1t, 10 not to be settled in an ignorant or
childish way. Both science and religion
have to be invoked. See what problem
society has to solve in the liquor ques-
ton. The garment critic to whom this
second communication on the subject 10
due impressively draws it. 1t speaks for
itself: "Look 1t our little town. On
the one hand six saloons supported BY
the population; on the other hand not
money enough raised to keep our public
school open six months in the year, Is
it not time there was higher earnestness
in our politics, our churches, and our
temperance organizations to demand the
best principle and talent in the service
of this hardest, most battling, most intri-
cate, and most intractable Of reformsl
The drinker, slowly lkrowing to the
drunkard under his illusion that he has
science ON the side of 3 moderate use of
alcohol, sooner or later comes to know
his mistake, and discovers his need OF
help. No one knows it 20 we'll ~ he, a.,
after each feebler effort, the man dumbly
resigns himself to the engulfment of what
WAS dearer to him than his life, HE self
respect, honor and hope. II man or men
can help him he needs it now. Shall be
not have it from the very Temperance
people themselvesi Shall the Reform
fall into the hands of weakness: the nero
vanity of speaking, undigni6ed by good
sense, science or weight Of character in its
advocatesi There are noble women and
few able men now in the work; let such
hold their ground; and let the public de-
mand that many more be enlisted and
fully equipped with the latest science
and truest religion for the work, that 1t
may be put upon its final road to triumph
in the not distant future, when the drink.
ing man himself will not be. the last to
rejoice in the general thanksgiving, and
another step upward out of ignorance
and slavery will have been taken.
Before closing will it not be right to
saw here that Ketchum should no longer
be without . working temperance organ
ization among its permanent institutional
More than one drinking man will want
the helping hand it will extend to him.
Il will be blessed work to even extend
the hand. We all want the belief and
hope of others the more We have given
up hope in ourselves. rTis not the sinner
that rejects goodness when he sees It.
And tho young need guardingl Parents
may already see the handwriting on the
wall in this community ~ things now are.
Let them come in with their children.
Shall there be 4 Temperance Society
orpanizedf The children demand It. The
drinking man rises up in every commu-
nifty at intervals, would We bat dnd him
out. and extends mute and helplesa hands
for help, for united strength that is not
his, or any mans, alone.
Shall the society not be organizedf Let
il be under the motto of the "Aurphy
Temperance Movement"-"with malice
toward none, with charity for all"
VERITAS.
Undisputsd Authority.