The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-04
SHOWING THEMSELVES.

SHOWING THEMSELVES.
No important legislative body ever al
lowed itself to be made the victim of it's
fear Of consequences or more abjectly
surrendered to the influences Of dema-
gogism and unreason than did the last
congress in deciding to abolish the army
canteen. The action was taken in the
teeth of the undeniable fact that the in
telligent sentiment of the country both
within and without the ranks Of the tenn
perance movement, was adverse to such
action.
When men as prominent in the temper
ance movement as Archbishop Ireland,
possessing special qualifications to form
sound judgment on the problem. were
disregarded, and the voice Of the most
rabid Of the prohibitionist folks was eff
fective it IS not matter of surprise that
such evidence as that furnished yesterday
at Chicago of the unwisdom Of the ac-
ton taken should be forthcoming.
The moral welfare Of the soldier cuts
but little figure with such men and wom-
en- as made their secret visit on Wednes-
day to Fort Sheridan. The object of that
visit was, as the general object Of those
who engaged in it is, to make all things
and all conditions bend to the ends Of the
prohibition propaganda.
There is Of course no public interest at
taching to any injustice which might
nave resulted to the officers of that post
through the prejudice or unreason OF
those who confronted them In the re-
ported interview in the press Persons
viewing public questions from the stand
point assumed by prohibitionists in their
opinions Of the liquor traffic must be
treated as not seeking information or in
struction from any source. They are
simply improbable in their views of the
particular subject of social interest with
which they identify themselves
Dr. Parkhurst and his associates WIS.,
tied Fort Sheridan obviously not to be
convinced against their preconceived
opinions but to put the officials in a DO
sition of disadvantage and to secure by
any available means further ammunt-
ton for their compaign against the
liquor traffic. That the officers were
able to force them to occupy that atti-
tude represents an achievement which
involves a serious public serv-
Ice The opening words of DR..
Parl1hurst were inconsistent with
any real purpose to test the ques-
ton as to the wisdom of the abolition
Of the canteen. While protesting to
head a committee to investigate the
adjustment of the canteen DR. Park
hurst opened the proceedings by the
striking admission that the committee
represented a quarter million of people
who were glad that the canteen had been
abolished. 1t certainly is not surpr.s-
ing that any body of men putting them
: selves in such a false position Should
have to bear the consequences Of their
own temerity.
Public sentiment, based upon the opin-
ions of all army officials as well as Of all
unprecedented persons who have or have
had to do with the soldier is strong in
the demand that among the first acts Of
the next congress shall be to give the
soldier who desires to drink the oppor-
tunity to do so in reason within the
camp grounds, Without forcing him to do
SO amidst all the temptations and evil
surroundings which beset him while a.
liberty.