The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-04-26
INTERIOR VIEW OF A CHURCH on WHEEL s

been done. Such n scene would be
wholly impossible during the present
generation, for our people have grown
better as well as wiser than their an
ceStOrS were.
With one exception during recent
years we have not only had better men
in congress, but men of stainless repu-
tation in the white house. Never again
will our people place in the presiden-
tial office a man whose hands are
stained with human blood or who has
engaged in deadly dueling. When Gen.
Jackson came to the white house he
lad the reputation of having wounded
two men in duels and killed one. He
had received two wounds in street
fracases, one of which, from the hands
of Senator Thomas II. Benton, he bore
cOnspicuously all his life. IL was said
that "Old Hickory" had been in a
dozen ducls and hundred personal
encounters when he entered the white
house. During these latter years we
have had in the executive mansion high
bred Christian gentlemen and ladies.
The quarrelsors, querulors swaggerer
is no longer popular political idol.
No matter what differences of opinion
may arise, nor how excited statesmen
may become in debate, nor what wicked
things they may say to each other,
there will never more be dueling in
Washington nor in this vicinity. The
day of blood atonement at the hands of
man has gone forever. There remains
but little of tAe dueling spirit, even in
those states where the southern sun
gives to men hotter blood
and quicker tempers.
During recent years there have been
no drunken scenes in the capitol, either
m the senate or house of representa-.
tives, with one exception. A celebrated
debate was closed during the early
days OF the Fifty-third congress by a
senator who has lived over from the |
past generation; and his voice was very !
shaliy, and his ideas were mixed, be- |
cause he had palpably dallied too long |
with the demon that destroys. Our /
fathers and grandfathers lived in an /
age when drunkenness was as normal |
as sobriety and temperance are to-day.
In those times, maudlin scenes were
at the capitol, and they were
not considered disgraceful; but were
regarded as exceedingly funny. But
the cause of temperance has grown and
the influence of the ladies of the land
has been so potent that the future leg
Station OF our country will be the
product of sober brains.
Just before the war, and during that
great militant epoch, there were gam
bling houses all along Pennsylvania
avenue from the capitol to the white
house. To-day there is not single
yame running in Washington which
statesmen patronize. OF course there
ire some low dives here, as in all cities,
put none which statesmen dare to
inter. Before and during the war it
vas not considered wicked or improper
or senators and representatives,
along Pennsylvania avenue,
o enter public gambling houses and
'ngage in games of chance. Nobody
,aid any attention to such conduct on
he part of public men. The newspa-
,ers of to-day would quickly chronicle
lC cNcht IL any HeIlDeT OI Ine senate
n of the house should frequent such
places. But in those days the newspa.
'ers made no mention of the lives OF
he great men who were attending tc
duties but two or three
hours each day, and passing from
welve to fifteen hours in saloons and
houses.
1t is 4 comfortable reflection that the
"orld is growing better; at least om
'ortion of it. The Christian men and
women throughout the country will be