The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-08-04
w. C. T. U. COLUMN
CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. /. HOBBS.
A Word TO. the Christian Voter.

By the Christian voter Is here
meant the man who honestly seeks
to discern the right, the man who
has convictions of his duty, the man
who has the courage to follow an en-
Ilightened conscience and who i
willing to exert himself that the
right may triumph.
Such Is the man of principles OPP
posed To the man Of mere policy.
Such is the man who holds good
government above party and the
welfare of his fellow men above his
love Of gain. There are such men.
There always has been such men in
the course OF our nations history,
otherwise we should not be the peo-
pie we are.
Now, brother yoier, Is il expect
ling too much Of you that you will
be one of this kind in your voting at
the next election? Nations, society,
do not seem to drift to higher levels.
rhe upward march OF a people
com = from the faithtulness OF men
who see the right, and who without
wavering pursue it against every OPP
position and Encouragement.
Suppose great lottery monopoly
were planted or seeking to plant
itself in every state, coun y and
hamlet of our nation. Suppose II
were debauching and robbing iis
millions and in great degree sapplng
the moral fibre of the country, as II
surely would. Such a monopoly
would undoubtedly get into politics
and, especially if licensed, would
rule and dominate by its threats
and monstrous bribes How would
the Christian voter cast his ballot
in such a case2
Could re vote with a parry that
would take the lottery into the ma
ton as a partner that shared the
profits, as il once proposed to do
with the state of Louisiana?
Would Christians 60 on that side
and then pray against the infamous
lottery business? Could they?
Would Christian ministers and
teachers he still about it, counting
it out as an issue, and not be guilty.
Would any patriot cast a ballot IN
sympathy with such corruptar OF
the nations morals or such a blight
upon her honor?
Yes. patriotism-that grand word
with its moving power in the heart
of true patriot, that inspires him
to aid in lifting a nation to higher
levels, SO that in righteous strength
and high it shall be Foremost in
the files of the time;' and yet this
word is used by the demagogne 10
cover multitude Of sins and to pro-
mote variety of selfish ends.
Or, suppose, again, that some
wealthy publishing monopoly, find
ing that it can make millions and
millions 10y the publication of the
most corrupt and obscene literature.
Gear loads and ship loads Of such
have been published,) } and suppose
such a poisoner of nations youth
to come forward with its bids and
threats md bribes, Offering to bear
a Charge share in the burden of the
Expenses of the government .
what attitude ought and would the
Christian voter and the Christian
pulpit assume? Would we vote
with a party that stood in with it,,
or that merely ignored such an issue,
OF ii we did could we make war
a ,ainst such moral devastation and
pray that the minds of the youth be
not poisoned? Would we not blush
AMI avert our gaze from the sight OF
our flag waving over land given to
such a wrong? But why deal in
such supposition? Simply in the
hope and with the prayer that II
may help us to see that we are, year
after year. carrying into effect the
same principle in the support Of a
practice that j. as devilish and all
destroying as any that ! have sup
posed.
Let us stand in the place that will
give Us power with God to pray that
Canada may win in her plebisclt,
vote against her saloons.
Christian brother, philanthropic
brother, patriotic brother, preacher
brother, is il not indeed solemn
question which we have to face,
whether Christians are not, to a
large extent, by their attitude to-
ward the saloon, shutting off their
prayers for the overthrow Of this