Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-10-24

N@@I
The Saloon.
To the Editor OF the Ledger.
MEXICO, No, Oct. 1.-THE battle
is ON and the LEDGER cannot afford
not to have a hand in it. Owing to
the absence of DR.. Porter there is a
lull in the fight between the preachers
up on the corner of the saloon square;
there is fun ahead when he gets back
to town.
The first of the five points, is
pretty well taken and / am glad the
brother stresses it. How do you like
the picture, and the company you are
in, my good highllcense Christian
friend? The next ''two points, are
weak and l predict will prove a boom
erang that will put the gentlemen ia
a hole. The saloon is the nest and
Matching place both of murder and
impUrity, and according to this kind
of logic must be held accountable for
these crimes. Who is in favor Of
licensing murder and the ''dive?n
Consistency thou art a jewel! If these
triplets Of the Internal regions must
exist, they shall never do so by influ-
ence, and vote, So help me God. My
good Presbyterian friend, DR.. -,
says the saloon is a necessary eyil,n
and ought to be licensed. My answer
to this weak and tiresome argument
is this: Let US do our duty as Chris
tians and leave consequences with
God. One and God makes a majority.
And now not being willing that the
preachers should have a monopoly in
this discussion, ! beg space to add a
few more plain words on the subject
from the standpoint Of a layman.
The saloon is a disreputable instltu-
tion, and those engaged in the BUSH
ness may expect to be criticised. Be-
cause IL is legalized is no good excuse
for lei TO engage in IL. 1t is legal
lied iniQulty, and while the antorities
who legalize 1t commit sin, and are
accountable TO God for their sin, the
saloon keeper himself is none tie less
guiltless for engaging in a business
that is dlshonorable and destructive
OF all the best interest OF society.
His own wife and children are the
greatest sufferers and deserve the pro-
foundest sympathies Of any commu-
nifty. And the saloon keeper himself
is often to be pitied rather than
abused. Such may have been his
early environments that be has grown
up to believe that any business
licensed, or legalized In any way, by
the State or city government, is q
legitimate business and that 1t Is right
for him to engage In 1t. He seems to
have no conception Of moral right or
obligation. The golden rule is un-
known language to him. The city or
county has licensed him to engage in
this nefarious business and he goes on
dealing out his murderous drinks re-
gardless Of the wreck and ruin that
follows. Heart-broken wives and
mothers, impoverished and orphaned
children, crazed brains and blood
stained hands Of men, made so by his
fiery and legalized drinks, seems to
make but little impression on his
heart. Without the fear Of God, and
in defiance of the opinios of men, he
goes on in his ghoulish work with a.
relentlessness that is appalling and
almost beyond belief.
What cares he for the homes sad and
desolate in our city to-day because Of
these soul and body destroying dens OF
%iniqulty, established and sustained by
the votes Of Christian men in Mexico?
All, my friend, some Of us may have
to account some Of these days for the
status OF these saloon men who stand
up on their legalized rights, and try
TO fortify their eonsciences and con-
duct by the endorsement VIC have
given them by our votes and apollo
getic words. Some men are so religious
and 50 sympathetic that they can not
bear to utter a harsh word against
any sinner or any form OF sin. / some
times am made tired by these soft and
honeyed words Of good men about
saloon men, and these "law-abidInR
saloons" Are you aware, my Chris
tian friend, that this is the worst
thing that you a do for these men
whom you would save?
II never helps any mar to condone
his Sin. Saloon keeping In its most
lawful form is a sinful and disgraceful
business, and the sooner these men see
u and feel it the better for them and
their families. Let US deal honestly
with them and our own consclences.
speak Of no one man, bat Of them
IS a class, whose character is inexor-
IDLY bound up in their business. May
Iod help them 10 quit il, and help
yood Christian men and women TO
ielp them. Am I my brother's
SeePerfh Yes. II. X. HINDE.
Tot Causes Might Alarm