The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-02
"a NATIONS SHAME"

"A NHllUlS y oiihliiL
The Topic of an Interesting Discourse
by the Rev. Dir. J. L. sooy at tho
Fourth Street IN. E. Church Last
Evening.
"a Nations Shame" was the topic of
Rev. pr. J. L. Sooy's sermon at Fourth
Street NJ. L. church last evening. The
sermon was mainly Qenunclation OF
the army canteen, and Rev. Sooy took
the soyernmen. OF the United States To
task in unme1sGred terms Tor permit
ting such j blot upon the army service
| TO exist.
he said that when the war with
Spain opened we were supposed to have
temperate navy. Such WIS known
not to be the case at that time, but
siuce the close OF the war, after mature
elaboration the navy department has
decided that no beer, malt or alcoholic
liquor would be allowed OH board ship,
or within the limits OF the navy, or in
the navy yard.
Never in the history OF the world was
there given such Il striking Illustration
ut tac advantage OF water over winu
as in the late war. After the battle
uf Santiago all the casks of wine were
turned loose ir that city, and the Span
ish officers stood with drawn pistols
Threatening any that should drink
while the American soldiers were pc.
, - L..
he:rts content.
He drew vivid picture of the SOL
diers drunk at Santiago. and contrast
ed the American soldier drunk and the
the American soldier sober, the pecfec-
ton OF physical! manhood.
He, said that there was not one of
his auditors but that knew what the
army canteen was. It was not the
same canteen as OF old. The present
government. ground, with government
consent. Many young men who have
ben bred in sobriety and temperance
have had intoXlcants thrust up Under
their very noses by this Ubiquitous sys-
TEN. Uncle sam has actually put the
temptation In front OF our boys He
gives him cheek with which to buy
beer not to buy clothing or food or
anything else that he actually needs.
For nation or government TO do this
Is a disgrace. Who Is responsible? He
said the blame could be charged no
more 10 the Democrats than TO the Re-
publicans The army cantcen was es-
tablished in 1855. under the regime of
Grover Cleveland, and permitted dur
Ing the administration OF William Nc
iiiniey. lie denounced 1t as L crime,
and curse that such thing should
be permitted. He said that somebody
must answer for It. Mothers and
fathers do not send their boys away
10 become drunkards. Uncle Sans
sroG shop was rufnatfon to many of
our young men born and reared under
the guidance Of sober and temperate
parents.
Rev. Mr.. Sooy said that SONG one
had stated that the canteen would cur
tail the sale Of drink among OUR SOL
l!crs. and quoted statistics to prove
that such was not the case. The very
opposite was alleged to be the result
of the army canteen.
He gave n description by a certain
captain who had seen service in the
Philippines: of how the American SOL
diers recled along the streets over there
under the Influence of intoxIcants, and
OF haw the unc!vilizcd Fiipinos stood
staring and gaping at them In OPEN
mouthed amazemcnt and wonder.
He said the day was not long ago
when the great national political par.
ties placed something In their platforms
lr dcnunciation of liquor. He said the
great Republican convention at Phlla-
dclohln had mentioned not word con-
corning it. nor had any OF the recent
Democratic conventions.
In the grand state OF Ohio bill had
passed both houses OF the legislature
granting every town. village and ham
let the right TO decide for themselves
the right to sell intoxicating liquors, ns
II this great law-mnking body we're In
adequate to decide upon n mere uues-
ton of right md wrong.
DR.. Sooy closed his sermon with n
scathng denunciatlon OF those who
conspire TO ase police force and other
means to further their own ends, In
stead OF permitting them to do their
duty In enforcing the laws upon
righteous people. not knowing how easy
II was TO do right and how hard It was
to do wrong.