Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-03-12
TEMPERANCE.
Editor Witlmar Tribune:

TEMPERANCE.
Editor whitman Tribune:
Temperance, as defined by
Webster, signifies, primarily, the
habitual moderation in regard
to the induI yence Of the natural
appetites and passions. The de-
hni'ion is apt. | would give
special force to the word natural.
\ moderate indulgence OF the
natural appetites and PASSIONS
The apostle says: "Let your
moderation be known unto all
men,. and as temperance is SO
often enjoined as a Christian vir-
tue, by New Testiment writer's,
many, in order to destroy the
force OF such declarations, boldly
assert that the really temperate
man is one who moderately in
dulges in unnatural appetites and
passions-one who moderately
INDUCES in the use OF alcoholics
and tobacco. Consistency would
enjom that such sophists should
also addict themselves to the Use
Of opiates and other deleterious
habits for which it is possible to
create an appetite. And yet,
fallacious az is the reasoning 10y
which such Il conclusion is arriv-
ed at, it is a common ono. How
frequently does some friend of the
saloon writing in opposition to
the friends OF temperance, sign
himself "a temperance man."
Temperance forsooth!
Now do not purpose in this
article to enter into any argu-
ment to prove that the indul-
yence of the abnormal appetite
for Intoxicating liquors is iniuri-
GUS alike to the individual and
society at large. The truth OF
the proposition is admitted 10y
nearly everybody, alike the scien-
titic and unscientific. Probably
even Mr.. Birch-the champion of
the saloon and sportinge elements
OF Willmar-wOul,i not attempt
to deny it. Where is there a
writer on physiology and hygiene
who in the least juStities the use
of alcoholics? Ihavey yet to see such
Il one. The ba,'eful effects of in
toxicants are being taught in all
our schools. There is not a sin
gle element of good in their Use
as a beverage. No one will at.
tempt to deny but that they art
responsible for by far the great.
est part OF all criminal doings.
This being 50 what is the sa
loon, where for asum Of money
d mere pittance compared with
the costs of courts and crilIina
prosecutions and the destruction
of life and property by men act
ing as they would not but for thu
influence of liquor-the sale o
toxic poisons is made legal, bu
Il ve,.itable nuisance? 1t is moth
ing more nor less. 1t is an insti
tuition for the manufacturing O
drunkards-aye, more, the manu-
' factory Of criminals. 1t take
r young men in the bloom Of youth
the morning OF life, and entice
s them out from parental and HON
3 influences -young men who NIGH
: almost I've said to know no sin
: andtea.hes them not only todrin
J. alcoholics but initiates them tut
II many Other ways that are dar
t and ruinous alike to soul an
t body. 1t casts it's bliyhtin{
n whitening, destructive curse alik
l. on the poor and the wealthy; q
II the illiterate and the educate
Re on the rude and the refined, tt
g cultivated; ON many of the fai''e'
it homes in our land. The saloo
II the brothel, and the gambli'
II house, goingas they generally q
is hand in hand. are Il rank dis%ra
is to our civiIization-Christi;
Y. civilization if you please. The
- give the lie to those who clai
III that ours is a Christian natio
r. Never can this or any other n
ton lay legitimate claim to t
* appellation of ''Christian" VIII
IL such Ubiquitous institutions ha
I'll d legal footing in the laws OF o
it land:
TX And yet, III the face Of all tn
citizens Of WilImar and New lie
or don, men who even claim to
in Christian, will vote to legalizet
a saloon. Such men are Christi
vt only il, name. They areno mo
OF Christian than was Cain when
OF threw iii the face of his God t
st lying interrogatiye:: .'Am | 7
ed brothers Keeper" That aw
he lie has been echoing down I
re ages ever: since, and men are
,es LAY voting tolee allie the salo,
nd and thus abet their inurderi
Is, and worse than n.l.rdalins
"