Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-10
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.


PORTLAND, July 9.-The expected reply
of Gen. Neal Dow to Archbishop Ireland 8
address on temperance at the recent
Worlds temperance congress at the
Worlds Fair was given to the public Satur-
iay afternoon Gen. Dow says;
AT the very threshold of the labor ques-
ton comes this temperance question. 1t is
fearful to think of it, but in this nation of
the United States over 81 600, 900 900 an
nually the sum is actually more than
81 200 900, ,0oo) is spent in the direct traffic
0f into 1icating liquors, beside its being the
cause indirectly of the waste of as much
more money Men are unable to work be-
cause of injury inflicted upon their system
by drink. Time is absorbed in drinking,
and the countrys resources are scat
tered to the wind. 1t would be much bet
ter if the money given for drink were cast
into the sea. At least ii would then leave
behind 1t no harm
but here, in this beginning of the 2Oth
century in civilization we are taking the
riches of the country and using them to
purchase tears, mourning and misery. We
are using it so that our families will be de
molished, so that the very social fabric is
endangered. And not only this, but we sit
still, we look on-we Christians, who have
an interest in the country and humanity
and we see the armies of the liquor inter
est forming in serried ranks. defying their
fellow man-defyiBg the very nation. Is
it not shame and disgrace that in any
civilized Christian community laws are
made and guarded sacredly on the statute
books, and yet the liquor interests are able
TO laugh those laws to scorn and to say to
other interests, observe these laws as you
will. We, the liquor dealers are above
law and yet deny it as some may, this is
the case in many places.
.ft isa danger to the whole nation.
What are we coming to? We may well ask
in wonderment. Is it possible that this
nation for the life and preservation of
which We have made so many sacrifices, for
which we have freely shed our blood on
battlefelds, is to be ruled and dominated
by the abettors of intemperence?
They besiege our municipal council
halls. and our State and national legis-
latures. They make no secresy about it.
They have their organization in every city,
in every village. throughout every tow nship
in the land They collect large sums of
money for the purpose of extending and
fortifying their interests. They control
our elections. Is it not true today, in free
America, in the country of liberty par ex-
ceIence, that a candidate for public Office
and public favor is compelled, if he wishes
TO succeed. to worship at the shrine of vile
whiskey and vile wine? Is it not fearful
that whatever may be the laws for closing
the saloons on Sunday, they are kept open
IN spite of those laws and mock at you, if
YOU protf ST they care not for You: They
oneuly proclaim themselves your masters.
The liquor traffic! oh, if you would
see its fruits. go into the cemeteries and
pottcr's fields go upon seaffolds where life
is offered up for the preservation OF soci-
etv. In the great Exposition there are tri-
uphant arches and gorgeous pillars erected
with whiskey bottles and beer bottles and
vine kegs The display is incomplete.
They show the drink to the eyes of Amer
ans and the world at large, but whv show
tho springtirne without the autumn; Why
show the seed without the fruit: Let the m
yo with me to the Cook county hospital and
.ee the victims of the liquor traffic dying
in delirium tremens. Let them 90 to the
iails; let them go upon the scatfolis, and il
thew would see more let them go through
the MANY slums of the city and see vice
most me bideous fed and fattening on IL
quor. q,
GO through the homes of the land and
.ee the woe and terrible suffering in every
hoyel-aye. in every manson in the land,
barnoaniue some dear friend or some rela-
.,ve. ruined and damned because of intem-
perance.
;rtamnsrauee; not that it is the sole evil,
I'M. II ia Mt the root of so many other sins
and evils. There are millions in America
wbo If the fact of national degradation
f-om intemperance was brought home to
them. would arise as Americans did arise
wben the republic was in danger and say :
We will bare our breasts to the battle; We
,r;ll die for the country If nece ssary; that
this internal domination of drink insult
&C ase.'
,b;rk best. deal the heaviest blows and not
mind 40 much the directions that others
NAV h.. following. There is the enemy
before Ms menaeing our homes. cur souls,
society and religions, and say 10 tue
friend. of temperance go at the enemy,
one with gun, another with hrupp can
non. If YOU like, but hit him.
Il want to call attention to the tone ana
entire drift of the speech of Archbishop
Ireland upon the tremendous evils and the
horrors of the liquor traffic, hundredfh
na,t of which he Cid not even allude to, ard
to the manner in which the same mstfsr
was treated BY our Legislature Of 1898.
with the exception of Mr.. Shaw OF
aroostook. there was not voice repofted
ss nrote sting in any way sgainst the propo-
.ition Of the judiciary committee to open
the state to the free admission of liquors Of
aI Kinds for the supply of our grogshops'
whose only business is to impoverish, pan.
perize, degrade and brutify our people and
make miserable and wretched thousands OF
onr homes that otherv ice would be peace