The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-11-27
A Reply 20 Rev. Ielbart.


exceptions to my views on the question
of Prohibition. This he has a perfect
right TO do. honor any man for being
loyal to his convictions, and assume
that he is sincere and honest. Were |
of the opinion that temperance reform
would receive any permanent benefits
from Prohibitory measures | would also
be Prohibitionist. | would not only
vote that ticket at every opportunity,
but would endeavor to induce others to
do so 1t is a question that | have
looked into as deeply as my limited
mental capacity, close study Of the
question, and my experience with hui
manity, would permit, and these have
convinced me that Prohibition as pro-
moter of temperance is colossal fail
ure.
Being sincere in this, and having no
other object than the promulgation Of
truth, have felt it my duty to say so.
I have no criticisms to offer against
those who take opposite views. would
not think Of impugning their motives.
believe their motives are right and
only disagree as to methods.
But regret to say that Rev. Jelbart
has apparetly taken different view.
He imputes sinister motive to those
who do not agree with him as TO the
reformatory merits of Prohibition. He
says it is 'their anxiety to shield this
iniquitous business from public gaze and
condemnation" that impels them to OPP
pose it. He has no right to assume
anything OF that kind.
Rev. Jelbart does not go about his
work Of trying to convince the public
that they ought to be Prohibitionists in
the proper spirit. He has gall and
venom on his pen and prejudice in his
heart. Generosity and magnanimity
seem to be foreign to the reverend gen.
tlemen's nature. In a recent letter to
THE STAR calling Rev. f. Lewis Kelley
to account for presuming to differ with
him concerning Prohibition, he says in
effect that Rev. Kelley should either
believe in Prohibition or resign the
ministry. That was vicious thrust at
a mans calling with the poisoned dag
ger of malice. 1t was not charitable, to
say the least. 1t was narrow and pro-
vincial, and shows that the gentleman
needs to come into closer contact with
the great world. l waited with consid-
cradle interest to see II Rev. Kelley
would so far forget his dignity as to
reply to stab like that He didn't.
Rev. Jelbart uses the same instrument
in his criticisms of myself. He seems
to think that he has monopoly of good
motives. He appears to want not so
much to convince people that Prohibi-
tion is right as that Smith is wrong.
He seems to want to say something that
will injure me personally. He wants to
snar and be vicious, instead OF logical.
He seems to have said to himself:
Smith is in politics, therefore | will
try to hurt him politically" He then
proceeds to say that, because l gave
quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson,
the greatest champion OF the sovereign
ty of man, and the greatest thinker
that America ever produced, that was
'slurring the Masses" to whose good
will owed some preferment. He fur
ther called attention to little item
concerning the voters of Ringgold
township in the hope that he might
arouse animosity amongst those people.
Now submit that this is not the
spirit OF the controversialist in
search of truth, but the spirit that
led John Huff and Algernon Sid
ney to the stake, and compelled the
sublime Calico to get down on his knees
and apologize for having discovered the
movements Of the earth through space,
and to say that it was all lie.
But do not impute any bad motive
to Rev. Jelbart. l do not believe, as
Bill Nye said OF Wagners music. that
he is as bad as he sounds. Perhaps he
associates too much with old ladies' and
sick folks, and needs to consort more
with healthy and robust people. But
THESE are not grievous faults and may
be cured. / do not believe that Rev.
Jelbart is in search of notorie-
ty, and that in a fit of Incorporate zeal
to ride into public gaze on something,
he seizes Prohibition as the most con-
yenient hobby and mounts it without
stopping to examine its wobbly
do not for a moment suppose
hat he is itching for controversy, that
he is going about ''like roaring lion
seeking whom he might devour," and
that he says bitter, personal things In
order TO excite q reply. Far from it.
! assume that he is sincere, upright,
honorable gentleman, whose zeal for
what be regards as great truth, and
Whose enthusiasm, hos driven him 10