Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-27

of drunkenness was observable With
the arrival of our troops the grog shops
multiplied and flourlshed over 100 ours
ing the conquered city. That the Off
GERS were no better than the men was
the conviction of my informant 1t was
q coincidence that, on the very day OF
Bishop Potter's speech the government
reported the dismissal from the army
by court-martial of Major IIirkman and
Lieutenants Gregg and Bailey for
drunkenness in the streets OF Manila"
The regimental canteen, my caller af-
firmed. was worse than the grog shop.
The temptation is ever present and any
good resolutions or feelings of disgust
after q spree were quickly dispeiled by
another drink. On the financial side
soldiers credit was limited to the
saloon. Not so at the canteen, where
his pay was held as security for his
drink and often entirely absorbed. a
soldier is obliged to seek n grog shop.
but the canteen seeks him.
If one questions whether such neces-
Sarily anonymous testimony as l re-
port is to be compared with that of the
great and good Bishop of New York. let
him read the chapter OF horrors detail
ed in the New Voice by Frank NJ Wells.
late chaplain of United States volun-
teers, which he gave verbally TO Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Root.
Chaplain Pierce has laid stress upon
the number of huts from which mad
ueninS native liquors were dispensed
but It is not made plain that these were
not In such evidence before our troops
arrived, for whose trade they were es-
tabliShed. Chaplain Wells, in recent
interview with the editor of the New
York Philanthropist testined: "Whsky
and bad women are running more men
into death in the Philippines than are
being killed by Filipino bullets or in
jured by other causes"
Drunkenness, lust, gambling brutali
ty and other vices that annihilate con-
science are in full swing at Manila Not
only are the natives polluted by this con-
tact with superior civilization. but the
soldiers who return to the United States
bring with them the seeds of disease
and contagion, to be sown broadcast.
1t has been estimated that 10000 cases
OF syphilis afflicted the volunteers thus
far returned from the Philippines to
San Francisco. Who can estimate the
ravages among our own people in con-
sequence?
In the French army Gen. Galifet has
just promulgated an order against the
sale of ardent spirits in barrack or
camp. Degeneracy and increase of in
sanity among the consumers of brandy
ana absinthe have forced the move
Mulhall, the Statistician, says that al
coholic insanity lis twice as frequent
now as it was Is years ago, and the
number placed under restraint on ac-
count of it has increased % per cent. in
the last three years" Every ship-load
of returning soldiers from Manila
brings its quota of maniacs.
We have president belonging to the
great Methodist, denomination. which
probably includes the largest percent
age of prohibitionists of any religious
organization in the country. The souls
of many of its members are stirred over
the question whether their distinguish
ed communicate turns his wineslasses
down on festive occasions. or ventures
to take drop. We have a secretary of
the navy who is prMident of the Mas
sachusetts total abstinence society.
Contributions for it are annually solicit
ed to save n few drunllards from the
gutter. Mr. Mckinley has but to speak
the word to close every grog-shop I'm
Manila and remedy the canteen abomi-
nation. He can find excuses for arbi-
trary power to the extent of multiplying
the principles OF Republican govern
ment and disregarding the Constitution,
but not to clean ont the saloons in the
Philippines. Nor has the total abstain
or, Secretary Long, yet made his in
1luence felt against this national enorin-
ity. which destroys more human beings
in Il day than his Massachusetts society
can rescue in n lifetime. Let the re-
sponsibility be placed where it belongs.
This is Il difficult subject to handle
without offence. but 1t needs exposure
and emphasis more than any other as
pect Of war. Death closes the account,
and wounds of flesh may heal, but the
soul degradation and dissemination of
vice through the great enSinery OF the
army entails incalculable curse. No
Thing should stir the Indignation and
purpose of women like this sin against
the human race. From Cuba and Porto
Rico comes the same story. The trail
of armies is the trail of the serpent, and
no fine phrases like those of BishOp
Potter can for n moment obscure the
devilish work in which the country
men of Washington and Lincoln arc
now engaged. Two thousand years af-
ter the birth of the Prince of Peace. and
pious lips, in his name, shielding the
crime and the criminals!
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.
Boston, May Q, 1900.