The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-04-02
WASTE FOR DRINK
Amounts 20 Millions and Pro-
duces No Benefit to Any
one, Says Mr.. Danner.

The astounding and uhdeniable fact
Is that, according to the last authentic
statistics and reports, the waste for in
toxicating liquors during the fiscal year
of 1900, in the United States, was one
billion, one hundred and seventy-two
million, four hunderd and ninety-three
thousand dollars, which Is almost one
hundred millions more than any other
year In the history of the nation. And
in all of this, our government was q
partner, and gave a legal permit to
carry on this great waste, producing
nothing but ruin and desolation. Not
one dollar of benefit or blessing has
come to any of the multitude that vast.
ed their substance in riotous living;
but 1t has contributed to the produc-
tion of fully two-thirds of the crimes
of the country, and It is the great cause
of the fearful number Of divorces that
are taking place all over this so-called
christian nation
And what is the most astonishing
thing about this fearful condition of
things is, that the two dominant po-
litical parties of the nation uphold the
legalization of this great evil, and cater
to the saloon for support, and at the
same time have the great bulk of the
christian voters to stand by and up
hold these political parties in this fear.
full wickedness; and what is still more
astonishing Is that more than three
fourths Of the priests and ministers Of
the gospel uphold this great iniquity
by their ballots. All good men believe
that men who stand in the pulpit to
proclaim the gospel, should be leaders
of great moral reforms and not follow
ers of the multitude, to do evil
There are few ministers who see
and acknowledge the wrong there is in
supporting political parties that uphold
this great iniquity, and among them
is Rev. John J. Stouffer, of Elizabeth.
Vile, Pa, who recently wrote as fol-
lows:
81 have come to the conclusion that
the time has come that Prohibitionists
should no longer contribute to the sup
port of missions, but should give all
their benevolence to the cause of pro-
hibition, until the liquor traffic is over
thrown. The church members who be.
lieve in supporting the saloon at the bal
lot box, and then send missionaries to
undo the work of these licensed insti-
know better should no more support
such foolishness. The liquor traffic
does more harm in the home and for
do good"
This may sound a little severe and
yet is it not true? Our missionaries
of all denominations tell us that the
legalization of liquor traffic, to be car
ried into foreign and heather nations,
does tenfold more harm than all our
toiling missionaries can do good. Let
us apply. little common sense to our
voting, and say to all political parties,
we cannot vote for you so long as you
uphold any plan of legalizing the liquor
business by any system Of tax or H.
cense laws, high or low. We must
take this position IL we would be con.
sistent with our christian profession.
No christian who prays 'thy kingdom
come" but votes against this prayer,
If he casts his ballot for any tax or IL
cense party. Without the protection
of tax or license laws for this traf-
fic, It could be dealt with as an outlaw,
but this cannot be done as long as the
traffic is legalized by high tax or IL
cense law Every liquor seller and So
loon voter in the land votes only with
tax or license parties: not one of them
will vote for a political party that Ia
opposed to tax or license laws for tho
traffic. II the old adage Is true. "fell
me the company you keep and will
tell you what you are" 1t Is high time for
the christian voters to get out of these
tax and license political parties, where
all the liquor men and bummers are.
Christian brethren, look at these I'M
deniable facts and stand for christian
principles.
Every voter is as responsible for how
he votes on this vital question, as for
any other act Of his life. Vote to pro-
tect the home. and to outlaw the ruin
GUS liquor traffic.
JOHN DANNER.