Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-12-31
4" Judge Not


| lance would have avertcd the murder
committed Sunday night, as the Oiym-
plan ailrms it would, most people will
find some difficulty to discover, unless
the man OF the club he endowed with
the faculty of reading human motive
and should keep his minds eye con-
stantly focused on every incentive that
might lead to the commission of crime.
| As neither the murderer nor his VIC
tim were visibly under the influence
of liquor, it is unfair to assume that
the tragedy was "a direct result of the
too free use OF whisky" unless there
were threats made which could be
traced to dissipation, or, as has been
promised, the guardians of the peace
were able to turn an N-ray on human
motive.
While it is not our intent to palliate
or excuse any act which leads to the
| tdhiliS VI Huilitil liiI, an iIi'iSt Joii
with us in depreciation OF that careless
habit of jumping at conclusions, which
little thought will demonstrate are
not founded on logical grounds OF be-
lief. If police surveillance could be
made to abolish the use of stimulants
or drugs which excite the passions and
subordinate reason, the premise might
apply in this instance, provided it was
clearly shown that the act resulted
therefrom, but as long as the means
for tampering with mind and nerves
is attainable without entering liquor
saloon, it is unfair to cast aspersions
against that traffic for infractiOns of
law without q close inquiry into all
the circumstances connected there
with.
If the late tragedy had not occurred
in the parlor of saloon, is it fair to
assume that it would not have oc-
Cured at all? Life is often taken in
passion that whisky has not the most
remote connection with as an excitant |
cause. An instance was afforded a |
few years ago in which minister of
the gospel murdered his wife and
children in religious frenzy, still it
would be unjust to deprecate zeal in
all religious work because a herald of
peace became, from some occult cause,
the messenger of Death. Although
Durrant atrociously murdered two in
nocent girls, still we have an abiding
faith in the good works performed by
those who are placed in close church
communion even though it may lead
to opportunities for abascment which
some natures cannot withstand.
A predisposition to murder is born
in some natures, and leads to acts of
cruelty and bloodshed, just as avarice
exists in other soul-germs which de-
velop into the miser, or other taints
produce their inevitably similar re-
suits.
That he tragedy took place in the
parlor of saloon, on Sunday night, is
an unfortunate occurrence for the
vendors in ardent spirits, for very few
people consider the fact that during
the holiday season the town is
thronged with visitors, many of whom
are without homes, and that all doors
are closed against them, especially on
Sundays, except the church doors for
an hour or two during the day and
evening. Is it expected that they
must walk the streets for diversion
with the rain falling and the cold
winds chilling the very marrow of
their bones? We all want the loggers
to come to town and spend their mon
ey, and church-fairs and festivals are
frequently arranged for their especial
diversion, but after their dollars have
been spent and the lights are turned
out, where is the Good Samaritan to
be found who dispenses without mon
ey and without price, warmth and 9TH
err essential comforts before bedtime,
unless it be the saloon-keeper? True
he may be controlled by hope of
gain, the same motive, but nobody is
importuned to .partake of his wares,
and there is at least modicum of |
philanthropy visible in the cheer af-
forded. If there any substitute for it?
Is there any method of providing this
entertainment except it be through
some plan for advancing self-interest
Benevolence, it has been observed, sell
dom finds expression uncontaminated
by this dominant trait of human ma
ture. Brotherly love is not of that
form which now-or ever has, except |
in Christ's time-rushes out on the
street to Rescue the perlshing."
Even Christian charity, the poet says,
is rare, and "Devil take the hind
most" seems to be the motto adopted |
by modern civilization.
The conclusions we draw from these
facts are:
That is unfair to base an appeal on
prejudice that facts will not sustain.
That the tragedy of Sunday night
might have occurred at any other
time, or anywhere else, under similar
conditions.
That until some Bellamy evolves a
scheme whereby the sojourner may be
warmed and sheltered from cold and |
storm by a truly beneficent public, it
ic an not Of hup,oy, ;fx, ~ nro,. lool, |