The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-05

side of Temperance. The work is left to
| be carried on by the rank and file,
Let us look at probable reasons. First.
It is said the upper class are not in SYM
pathy with temperance principles: that
in the houses of many of our wealthy
people drink is kept and frequently used,
and therefore consistency calls for silence.
Whether this is true or false I am not
prepared to say. Second. 1t is conf
IDENTITY affirmed that some who are in
cordial sympathy with the temperance
movement do not identity themselves
with it because they do not agree with
the popular advocacy of present active
workers.
We candidly acknowledge that in our
Judgment the methods used have not al
ways been wise. Distinctive temperance
work has been impeded by coalition with
other issues.
Incorporate language has been used,
and foolish utterances have been indulg-
ed in, which have damaged the cause.
The text speaks of men being s'drawn
unto death'' This is done by appetite.
Appetite is sometimes hereditary. In
diligence in some debasing habit BY
grandparents, or parents, hands down the
fatal desire, and thus the sins of the
fathers are visited upon the children,
Illustrations were here given from the
preachers observation, and from the
writings of others. M
But this habit may be acquired by the
domestic use of wines or strong drink. or
through evil associations. Companion
ship gives an upward or downward trend
to character. Not only is a person
known by the company he keeps, but
what he is to become in life, and also his
eternal future are largely determined by
it.
Further, men are drawn by unserupu-
lous, soulless men who are willing to
live by the death and destruction of their
fellow beings.
This word ''drawn" means Ito take.',
So men are found who will take the
money, time, reputation, character. body
and soul OF their victim for the sake of
the dollars they make from this traffic. 4
How vast the ravages of this mighty
foe! In,1S7S, out of loo, 900 cases OF vel
low fever, there were only 10000 deaths.
In every outbreak of the disease since
the mortality has steadily decreased. Yet
look at the commotion caused by visit
alton of this epidemic.
Small pox patients are hurried off to
the pest house. A sporadic case of cholera
stirs the nation and leads to definite and
prompt measures for protection; but the
liquor business, which is breaking up
more homes and filling more graves
every year than these diseases combined.
is smiled upon, apologized for and openly
encouraged,
Some years ago, through timely infor-
nation conveyed to the foreman of the
international Distillery at Des Moines,
Iowa, so pounds ofdynarnite were found
in the masher and the building was saved
from destruction. Had the explosion
occurred while the workmen were at
their places what outbursts of sympathy
would have gone forth for the sufferers.
What of the distillery that by day and
night is sending forth streams of death
all over the countrya Because the drunk
ards are dying slowly we fail to take
alarm, but twelve men dying in twelve
days are as surely dead as if they had
died in twelve seconds.
The text suggests the duty of opposi-
ton to this business and makes it per-
sonal obligation.
Its easy to find fault with others.
What are you doing? You say your
son is not in danger. q The fire hasn't
caught in your home. There is not
home in Portland safe; there is not an
industry that is not in peril. In some
unlocked for and unthought of way you
may be made to feel that this is your
business.
Further the text includes class who
plead ignorance of the evil around us.
IF thou sayest behold we knowltgnot.' .
The text does not say they did know
The say it. No man should presume to
say that human sorrow, domestic infei-
licity, widespread degradation, soul
and body destroying agencies are around
him and he knows nothing Of them. No
patriot should speak again of his inter
est in or love for his country. No citi-
zen ought to avow loyalty to his state or
city who would remain inicuIpable ignor-
ance of the subtle, persistent and de-
structive work OF the greatest enemy to
the human race. If he does not know
about these things he ought to find out
The caucus is corrupting our politics.
governing our cities, threatening our
nation. 1t is daring to lay its hand upon
all that America calls sacred and we
ought to open our eyes, exert our DOW
ers and use our wisest plans to save the
country.
What can be done?
Three things thrust themselves upon
us.
Flrst-The lifting up of those who are
down. This can be done by personal eff
fort, by counter attractions, by remedial
agencies, by true religion.
Second-Let us get temptation out of
the way and keep it out.
1t is being intimated that there is a
less stringent enforcement of the law in
our city than there has been. and that
apprehension of detection on the part of
violators is not as keen as formerly. We
are we'll aware that public sentiment
needs to be toned up. It is difficult to
enforce any law which is. not supported
by the voice Of the people, and the close
ness of the vote by which our sheriff
was elected indicates'that the people are
not with him in his efforts to Danish this
evil and keep it banished. This foe is
living active one kept vigorous by the
twofold forces of appetite and greed and
needing the sleepless opposition of every
good man and woman in our midst.
Third-We must care for and train the
young. To do this effectively home in
f1uences must be strong and right, the
power Of the public school must be
wisely utilized, and the Sabbath school
and pulpit be made to exercise the most