The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-19

whatever as to the working result of it on
those engaged in this traffic. Once let a
man think that q large and intelligent pro-
portion of his fellow citizens look down
upon him, and the evidence of this con-
tempt must soon make themselves appar-
ent in his character and conduct. With
draw from MIN all hope of receiving the
commentator of q large section of his fell
low men, and he must become in time
careless Of their Judgment OR resentful of
the position in which they place him, if in
any measure he believes it to be Unjust.
Thus admitting that the drink traffic, as
carried on at present IN our saloons. is
abominably bad and generally in bad
hands, there can be no doubt that the pub
lie condemnation at present attached to it
inevitably makes II worse. This much
must be evident TO all.
Now is this public condemnation as uni
versal and rs genuine as it pretends to be
Do all religious men really believe that it
is wrong to deal in alcohol or to have any
part in the drink trade? Most certainly
they do not. But the great number who
would be far indeed from confirming the
judgment Of the extremists on this cues
ton have not yet found a voice, and so
have not yet been reckoned with thus far.
Facts are stubborn things and facts are
against the extremist in this matter. 1t
is not a sin to drink moderately Consti-
tuted as our civilization is. the great ma
iority of men will drink moderately to the
end of time. 1t is not sin, either. To pro-
vide the stimulating drinks which these
demand.
Here lies. it seems to me, the mistake of
the past. Among the working classes, the
enormous proportion of those who patron
ize the saloons are not drunkards, on the
contrary, are temporarily indulging le-
ultimate requirement for legitimate
luxury. But let the community brand
with brand of shame and dlsapprobation
all those places where this host of reason
able folk are of necessity obliged to get
their liquor, and society ignorantly does
the very thing that it seeks not to do. 1t
takes long stride in the direction of de-
strOying the self-respect Of the moderate
and temperate man, who - as lar removed
as could be from . drunkari [ say it is
beyond question that the result of this
social troWnlng on all saloons, irrespective
of their character or their method of con-
duct, is bad, very bad. As long as it con-
tinues only a low class of men with here
and there an exception, OF course) will go
into the business. The saloons are made
bad and in this way are kept bad
In this country this liquor question is
not the question OF yesterday. We have
tried prohibition. and we know what the
result has been-bad in every way. bad.
Brave and true women have taken up the
crusade; have knelt ct saloon doors, and
brought for the time being an overwhelm-
ing social influence 10 near against the
saloon. The result has not been perma-
nent, nor can it be. But one thing we
have not tried to do and that is-improve
and purify great business. patronized
by an enormously large proportion OF our
people. which We cannot uproot and
which hiss come TO stay. How may we
hope to improve 1t?
t'irst-We can induce morally RESPONSE
ble and upright persons to take hold OF il.
10 sell good liquor ut reasonable prices
strictly obey the IaH IN its sale, not 10 sell
To drunkards or minors. Ii men took
hold OF the business who were content TO
make . small return for their money this
could be done. for. beyond question, the
profits are very large.
Next. the narrow, reeking. treating bar
could be abolished, large part OF the pro-
ceeds of sale gong 10 make the saloon
comfortable and roomy, furnished with
tables and newspapers, where people could
sit at their leisure and not either drink
persistentIy. or, failing that. be shown the
door
Next-The best and most nutritious IN
iermented drinks could ba and should be
supplied st the same place and time
Many. many would drink good milk.
could they obtain il, instead Of beer and
would greatly gain b. the change. Pure,
sparkling drinks. as well as cocoa. coffee,
tea. etc. If we'll prepared, as they now
seldom are. and sold AT small pront, would
be in demand by 4 grea, many. In such 81
resort as this man would not be ashamed
70 be found and 1t would prove at least q
stepping-stone 70 higher grade Of enter
taInment.
Oh. that the owners OF the mighty for
tunes piled mp in our huge cities would
but begin to realize the awful responsible
ties Of their wealth Hundreds OF thou
sands of cur citizens cry Tor space, space,
space; space 10 breathe II and live, and it