Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
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IN UNION THERE Is STRENGTH.

it been more necessary tor all the forces OF re-
form, in the line Of temperance work-the
churches and the moral forces generally--to
unite, to stand catalogued and vigilant against
a world wide evil that is now making our state
a special target. With willy sopnistries and
decetful phrases, those who would fasten this
evil upon our state invade every phase of soci-
ETY. and every organization, church and state
They are thoroughly organized and equipped
with money and means to destroy, if possible,
our prohibitory law
At our political state conventions of the DOM
inant parties, the liquor traffic was represented
by its delegates, who offered resolutions in its
interests, which, though covert, were direct
blow at our prohibitory law.
Now, we ask, who requires and desires the
resubmission of our prohibitory law? Is it the
members of the Christian churches throughout
cur state?--they who profess to believe that
the SOULS salvation and best condition depends
on acts done in this life? Do they deem the
saloon a regcnerating force?
Is it patriots, who desire sober and moral
voters to guide our ship of state, and who
know that laws enacted to govern our property
and our homes can be no purer or higher than
the source from which they come?
Is it the hands of the benevolent and chart
table organizations of our state that are reach
ing out to destroy the prohibitory law under
the guise of resubmsson? Is it deemed that
the heart will be more tender and kind more
open to appeals for mercy, with licensed saloons
and their attending evils? DO these orsaniza-
tons deem that the saloon will lessen the num-
Der CT the helpless and suff ring within our
borders?
Is it those who have in charge our educa-
tional system? Do they estimate that the
youth of our state will be better equipped,
physically and morally, for high mental attain
ments, and their faculties better cultured for
the preservation of home and nation by the
nearness and easy access of the saloon'
Is it those who are earnestly and especially
interested in the financial condition OF our
state that are anxious about the resubrnlsslon
of our prohibitory law? They, too, who know
that the saloon increases crimnalities and COIL
sequently, greatly increases costs to city and
state, in the capture and prosecution OF GRIM
mails
Is it the fathers in our state who love their
children and who desire to see them law-abld-
ing, sober, happy citizens, and who desire TO
secure laws for the protection OF their lives and
homes? These fathers who know that shortly
they must leave their children to be governed
by the conditions and laws that they (the ia
theirs have helped to make-do they deem the
saloon safeguard to home, and purifying
influence, the gateway to heaven?
Is it the mothers in our state-they who
have gone down into the dark valley of appre-
bension and fear with only the Divine power
as their support) to bring these imperiled ones
TO mortal lifet Is it their anxious, vearring
mother love that requires state enlFenched win
present saloons? Is is the mUthe1s who
clamor for resubmission? No! it is not any OF
these. There is no good element within onr
state that requires the resubmission of our pro-
hbitory law.
Then, who does want the resubmission OF
that law}
,st The saloon element-an element that
enters into and increases every other eNli OF
society. It robs families, communities and
states of money that should support, and OF
money that should 60 into legitimate business
It is a robbery without any return other Than
DESTROYED health. ruined characters, wrecked
homes. increased crmnalities, costs to city
and state; and the wretched follow i'll its train
the lunatic, the suicide, the despairng and
the great army of the immoral. Not one good
tb;uo can be truthfuly said of it. Yet, with
ali its catalogue of evils, the intention is 10