The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-23
A BLESSING AND A CURSE.
Rev. Mr.. Kaufman Contrasts the Home
and Saloon.

Thou shalt put the blessing upon Mt'
Gerizim, and the curse upon Mt. Ebal."
was the text OF Rev. M. Kauimann's SER
mon at the Mathewson Street Methodist
church yesterday forenoon. An abstract
OF his address is as follows:
God is ever saying to nations and in
dividuals: "Behold, set before thee this
day a blessing and curse. " In our great
republic today there is blessing and
curse.
The saloon is black as midnight in
its natural results. The home is radiant
as MONDAY when truly answering the
divine purpose.
The saloon comes from Satan and leads
to Satan and his horrible perdition.
The Christian home comes from God and
leads TO God and his blissful heaven.
What is more rational than to throw
around the home all possible protection.
What reason can be adduced for any fail
ure to guard its every interest most Jeai-
ously and most sacredly? Why in the
name of all that is pure and noble should
the saloon be protected in the ruinous
invasion of the home? Why should 1t be
defended by the strong arm of the gov
ernment in its nefarious work OF tearing
down homes, debasipg husbands and
fathers, breaking the hearts OF wives and
mothers, and loading children with un-
merited disgrace? Home protection
versus saloon protection IL the real issue,
the supreme issue, that IS. to face the
voters of our city in the approaching
election. 1t will rest upon voters to de-
termine whether saloons shall lie licensed
or not.
Doubtless there are those who honestly
believe that the most practical way to
deal with this monster evil is by restrict
ing and regulating through the license
m hnh Of these there
are two general classes-first, those who
object to prohibiting the saloon on the
ground that it infringes upon personal
liberty and hence comes the conflict with
the constitution. This objection has
been effectually and conclusively answered
in many OF our Supreme Courts again
and again. No man has sny right 10
carry on any business that is clearly
prejudicial to the common veal. The su-
preme aim of the Constitution Is to "pro-
mote the general weliare.n Some day,
l am persuaded, the Supreme Court will
decide that ell legislation looking toward
the protection of liquor saloons Is uncon.
stitutional on the ground that the saloon
obstructs the promotion OF general well
fare"
Another class favor license because they
regard prohibition as impracticabie, and
think that regulations and restrictions
with the resultant revenue Is the better
way.
In regard to revenue from license 1t
has been demonstrated very often that this
revenue costs great deal more than Ii IS
worth. 1t is claimed that 1t costs Boston
$40 to look after crimes, and pauperism
caused by saloons, for every dollar IL re-
ceives from license. Brockton is one of
the most fourishing cities in Massachu-
setts. For eight years in succession its
citizens have voted for no-license.
A. H.. - L..
banks Is especially noticeable in cities
that have no-license. Laboring peopls
who spend surplus earnings for strong
drink in the open saloon save 1t when
this temptation is closed.
Thousands Of people who now merely
exist in rented novels might have neat
and comfortable homes were ii not for
the licensed saloon. The open barroom
produces an immense waste Of everything
really valuable to a community's higher
interest.
In regards to restricting and regulating
this ferocious evil by license IL has been
proven that there Is two or three times as
much drunkenness many times as much
fighting and stealing and general disturb
ance OF the peace under license as under
no license. Statistics carefully compiled
from % cities of Massac husetts show thai
the average per cent. of drunkenness In
the license cities Is three times as large as
that of no license cities. IL this proves
anything II proves that the liquor traffic
Ia restricted and regulated more unsuccess-
fully under no license than under Ii
cense. However, many men claim that no.
license is all right in theory, but fails in
practice. This claim has been refuted
again and again. Brockton has enforced
the no-license law Tor eight years, and
Cambridge with population of over SO,-
600 has enforced it for nine years. NAL
den has enforced it for nine years and
Roosevelt of New York city has demon
strated that the law can be enforced. The
right kind of Mayor and chief of police
backed by strong public sentiment can
enforce any law of justice. In many
Southern states local option has placed
numerous counties under the protection
OF enforced no-license.
Public opinion is well nigh omnipotent,
and public opinion against the saloon is
certainly growing stronger. What reasons
have we Tor desiring that n no-license vote
should be polled In this city? First, to
license an evil so deadly and so destruc-
tive In its consequences as the saloon Is
wrong in principle. Second, vote no-u-
cense because 1t will, II carried, tear of
the mantle of legal respectability. which
license now throws over the saloon.
Our no-license movement promises TO
take down the wall OF protective legisla-
tion which favoring votes have con-
structed around the saloon and with other
votes build up wall OF defente around
the home.
IL aims to take from unuer the saloon
business its only substantial foundation
the foundation OF government endorse
ment.
II we must have these plague spots
upon the body rolitic, let IL be undcf our
solemn and indignant protest, not with
our consent.
Men OF this congregation. put the curse
OF your condemnation upon Mount Ebal
by vo ing No. Pot the blessing OF your
approval upon Mount Gerizim by voting
No. IL your home rs not invaded by the
saloon, tie chivalrous tie magnanimous
enough TO go To the rescue OF homes that
are invaded. Remember this movement
Is absolutely nou-partizan and non. secta-
rian.
AT the evening meeting there was