The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-12-08
Hard Hitter.

Editor PIoNEER.
DEAR SIR: II isan underlying principle
of liberty that no person should be con-
demned without a hearing. AS there is
only one paper in the place. will You i'll
simple justice publish this? ..~
1t would scarcely be worth while MOTTO
ing the unjus. fling at the w. c. I. U. in
lhe last issue were it not to correct a false
impression that seems to be somewhat
general: that is that 1t is the business OF
the w. c. T. U. to close up Blind Pigs"
1t is not nor never has been the work of
the w. c. r. u. to enforce law 1t is
not so claimed by its leaders nor by any
intelligent member. 1t is the duty OF the
officers of the law to enforce it II. they do
not, it is the duty of the men or voters
who put them in Office to compel them to
do it. There have been instances when
all these rightful custodions Of law have
been remiss in their duty and Local
Unions AVE bean forced to undertake the
work at what cost some of them can tell.
Twenty one years ago Women for the
sake of those dearer than life, went out
from their homes armed not with the law
but with the spirit of the Living God.
and went down on their knees on the
floors of saloons or when these could not
be entered. on the streets and pavements
to plead with God and man that this
terrible traffic in souls be stopped. and
as far as they went they prevailed mot by
might nor by power but by the Spirit of
God. The w. c. T. U. is the conser-
walton of that great spiritual force de-
veloped along many lines. Its watch
words have been ''agitate, educate and
organize" Take notice the second letter
in the group stands for christian and the
scope of its work is as broad and deep as
that name implies down to the Least of
these" Is it possible that the necessary
qualification of a voter is the ability to
shut up Blind Pigs?" If so let nine
hundred and ninety nine out of every
thousand of the present voters in the state
be dissnfranchised and that right speedily.
Bottineau county would be counted out
for not a voter in it has demonstrated his
fitness to exercise that right. Cando can
show up one. If there was any noise it
must have been the echoes of the Pioneer
for the Bottineau w. c. T. u. blew no
trumpet. We have not resolved what we
would or would not do. we are only a few
women who are simply trying by the helps
this organization affords to better fit our
selves for the duties that lie nearest to US
and in the spirit of our Master to reach
out a helping hand when and where
needed. and the aggregate is made up of
just such unions. 1t is to be hoped for
the sake of the manhood of this place that
this is the last of this Betty and the
Bear" style. Judging from similar re-
marks, there are a number of men who
would like to get-well-just near enough
to be comfortable while BETTY tackled
the BEAR. Shame on the citizens who
see law defed and aid and abet in it for
defiance of law means anarchy and an
archy means disruption of the state.
Shame on the christian men who see their
duty and do not do it. 1t is much like
Nero fddling while Rome burned"
The enemy goeth about like a roaring
lion seeking whom he may devour" and
he is finding them right here in Bottineau
too. If we could Turn lack a few ceutur-
les we might find a few knights who
would do and dare for the right but our
would be knights stand back and try to
urge OF a few of the already overburdened
wives and mothers to do their work.
Now if you will stop prating about wha'
the w. c. T. U. OF anybody else does o,
does not do and 60 to work you will FIND
at least a few stout hearts and willing
hands ready to help. T..
A MEMBER OF THE w. c. T. U.