The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-10-18
Christians VS.. Temperance.

TO the statesman.
1t would be amusing if it were not SO
saddening to hear the erroneous ideas
that exist among SO many well mean
ing and intelligent people about any
reform work, and the reasons they
give for not assisting.
Take for instance the temperance
work. There are but few Christian
people who do not believe in il, who
do not realize and deplore the evils of
the saloon, who do not know its in
fluence in politics, and the clutch it
has on the national throat. Ask
these very people to unite with
the temperance work and they
answer, II cannot for | am
opposed to equal suffrages, 1--WE are
thankful it is ''equaP suffrage now
and no longer 'female.'D When told
that the Austin union has never taken
up the suffrage department because
some OF its members are opposed to it;
that it is optional with every union
to take up or drop any department it
chooses, and believing there should not
be stumbling block in the way of
any one wishing to work for temper
ance. even those who believe strongest
in suffrage are unanimous in dropping
this departm 9nt, in order that every
Christian may work for temper-
ance in this many salooned
city, makes no difference, they
only answer, You have some ia your
membership who believe in it,"
My friend do you know there are
fhnSa w c Holinuo in oT,t1al il,
every church, every aid society, every
missionary society, in the rescue socis
ETY., in the Christian Endeavor, in the
Young Mems Christian Association of
our city? Why do you not withdraw
from these? Why do you work with
them there? Do you realize that every
opportunity given you to work for the
uplifting of humanity is the Masters
work? Do you realize that this tenn
perance work is G ristian work and
that the saloon exists by
the sutferance of Christian
people alone? Do you know
that when the Christians SAY go aud
vote, go they will go" and not before?
Do you know how much good has
been done by the temperance women
in this city and this state, and how
much more could have been done if
Christians would do their plain duty
and take stand on the right side?
There are but two sides to this ques-
tion-one right and one wrong. Those
| who are not for are against, and those
who do not show where they stand and
do nothing for it night as well be
against it, for they strengthen the
wrong by their silence and their mac
ton.
Do you know that all Satan asks u
you is just to keep on doing as vol,
are Going, just to keep stile
hide your colors, and the men to vot
on the liquor side-never against it
Do you know that our strongest tenn
perapce women have husbands and
SONS and brothers who never taste
liquor in any form, but realizing the
evil as existing, are trying to help
your boys and your loved ones by re
moving the temptations that assail
them on every corner?
An actual count was made one night
not long since (for this district) of the
men and boys in the saloons on the
Avenue from the temporary capitol to
the depot-not going below the depot
nor on any side street, and over 400
were counted.
Was your husband or your boy
among them2 Do you know they
were not? Do you know or care where
your boy is when out at night.
God forgive if we judge harshly, but
it looks as if you did not care when
you will not lift finger or say word
to remove these evils that are drag
| pino them down to hell
Christian man, you cannot look
down upon the saloon keeper, while
you license his business and make it
as legitimate and honest before the
law as your own.
Christian woman. you need not
scorn the saloon keepers wife
while your husbands and sons
J and brothers are making her
husbands business as respectable
in the eye of the law, as any of yours
are engaged in.
] Who makes the laws and the law