The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-10
AN ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE
SERVICES AT THE CHURCHES IN ITs
INTEREST YESTERDAY.
National Superintendent RusseIl at
Memorial Presbyterian Church
A HalI-PIace Sermon.

Rev. Howard II. Russell, D. D., of Column
bus, o., the national superintendent of the
Anti-saloon League. spoke at the morning
service of the Memorial Presbyterian
Church yesterday. Rev. F. o. Ballard, the
pastor of the church, in introducing DR..
Russell referred to their friendship for each
other twenty years ago. when he knew DR..
Russell as a successful young lawyer in a
Western town, before the latter entered the
gospel ministry or began his work as a re-
former. Mr.. Ballard commended the speak
e. and his cause to the congregation
DR.. Russell called attention to the fact
that the churches are now federated to-
gether in twenty-five States of the Union
along the Anti-saloon League line, and in the
beginning of the work in Indiana he deemed
it best to confine his address to giving
clear explanation of the plans and methods
Of the work proposed. He assumed that
all would agree the saloon is an evil, that
better organization is needed and that the
churches are the best societies through
which to operate provided proper methods
are made use OF. 1t. has been found after
five years testing of the matter, that
the Anti-saloon League provides a proper
basis of constituency and methods for the
churches to unite upon.
The league is omni-partisan. Every voter is
left absolutely free in conscience and judg-
ment as to his party relations. Republicans
Democrats, Populists, Prohibitionists and
MugWumps OF every variety are enlisted
together. The league is also inteFdenomi-
national. Catholics as well as Protestants
cooperate in the league work in many To-
calities. Nc total abstinence pledge is pre-
s sSrS as as r condition OF IN. membership
reserved by the league.
With this explanation of the constituency
Of the league. the speaker then explained
the departments of work. The first and
iInnOrt9nt a
tation. By tongue and pen and printing
press, from pulpit and platform the league
carries forward Systematically the spread
Of information concerning the evils of the
liquor habit and traffic. Experience has
shown that by this means the public senti-
ment is toned up and strengthened against
the liquor business so that in course of time
great changes are wrought both in the hab-
its of the people and the legal abolition of
the trade. The other departments of work
wait upon the development of public senti-
ment The league works locally for better
enforcement of law. and in a statewide
ment is pushed in advance of public senti-
ment. The league discourages all efforts to
enforce law by law and order methods
so-called. No detectives and lawyers are
employed by the league as a usual thing.
The league organizes within all political
ton of public officers who will. when
elected, enforce the laws upon this question
locally, and who will in the Legislature aid
In holding firm all present laws and in Sc
curing additional enactments as they may
be needed.
The fourth department is the financial
department. The league asks for sums suffi-
cient to place the work upon a strong bust
ness footing. state superintendent is al
ready secured for Indiana, Rev. W. c. Helt,
d. D.. and Dr. Russell strongly Endorsed
his efficiency. A headquarters office has
been opened in the Baldwin block in this
city. representative board of trustees
will soon be selected. Dr. Russell closed his
address with an earnest appeal for hearty
and general cooperation in the develop
ment of the league in the city and State.