The Portland daily press., 1896-06-22
MORAL SIDE OF PROHIBITION.
Rev. MIR. Hack at the Second Parish
Church.

| @Afach tIo 6CCOnu EarlSD
Church.
yesterday morning Rev. Mr.. Hack OF
neIsecond Parish church spoke on ''The
moral Side of Prohibition. There was
very good congregation considering the
neat and the fact that SO many families
naveEnoved to the islands%or gone further
out of town.
MT. Hacks text was taken from Isai-
an xviii, II: Judgment also win I
| ay to the line, and righteousness to the
piummet, and the hail shall sweep away
tne refuge of lies, and the waters shall
| overflow the hiding place"
The speaker referred to the warning
| given by the old prophet Isaiah in the
days when Samaria was apparently de-
voted to the wine bowl. He told the
people that If they did not arouse them
| selves and abstain from revealing, woe
would be upon them. They laughed at
| him and when the morn came they were
caught in it and beaten down. Isaiah
| opened door of escape, but the people
Il
the prophets, priests and politicians were
| caught. They Knocked at Isaiah, called
his utterances platitudes and only fit
for children. But while they prided
| themselves on their diplomacy the words
OF Isaiah came true and the barbarians
| came upon them and they were capt
ured.
We are at the point, both in the nation
and the state, said the speaker, when
the question arises as to whether we shall
listen to tho words of the prophet. I do
| not need to apologize. said Mr.. Hack, for
bringing this matter before you. 1t is
not question of partisan politics,
but of morals, and feel it my duty to
speak when I see young men and women
and the gospel of Jesus Christ threat
ened. Seventy thousand voters of the
state against three thousand, have de-
we are asked to give up prohibition and
accept high license. 1t is claimed that
there Is more drunkenness under the pro-
hibition law than under high license
that the prohi bitory law is an infringe
ment of personal rights, and even Dur
dens the state through the courts, while
1t isTan obstacle to trade. 1t is urged
that high license law will legalize the
traffic and help temperance. Every
brewer and drinker in the country takes
that stand. I could tell you what o farce
this prohIbitory law is made, said the
speaker, but won't 60 into that sub
ject, because I shah be accused of de-
livertng politi cal speech. l say the
prohibitory law does not prohibit.
"No man e'er felt the halter draw
With good opinion of the law"
and SO with the rGmsellers and their sup
porters. Names share of the drink bill
of the country is eleven millions of dol
lars, but under the prohlbitnry law she
saves ten millions.
The speaker then took up she matter
of high license in Iowa, Wisconsin and
Pennsylvania. and showed that in Phil
adelphia the best high license law went
into effect, that in a year the saloons
had multiplied in great degree and the
youth Of the city were staying beyond
the legal hours, drinking and card play-
ing. The saloon never respected the law
and the only way to treat it is to ooeroe
it. 1t debauohes mankind, wrongs
womanhood and holds mortgage on
childhood. If you want to see the effect
ofgtheIsaloon look Sat. mpoyerishedIreland.
While the prohibitory law existed inIowa
the taxes were lowered a quarter of the
usual amount. AS contrast of high
license with prohibition in Massachu-
setts in towns where high license pre-
walls, there was one arrest to every 81
Inhabitants, and in the no license tons,
one arrest to every 81. The New York
Tribune. surely not prohibition paper,
says: We cannot save the country from
perdition until.we dry up the fountains
OF whiskey." 1t Is said force is no rem
edy. I have vivid remem branoe of the
parental slipper and say force is o rem
edy. The liquor question is a snake
that coils around the body and the pro-
hlbitory law cuts the coils. II you have
honest officials you can snuff out the
evil. The odor may be offensive, but the
evil will be gone. The man who tries
to break down the law may yet live to
see some dear one in the tolls of the
demon. Be not afraid to stand up for
God.
The music was very fine, especially the
soprano solo. and violin and organ duet
after the prayer.