The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-11

The recent exploits in Kansas Of Mrs.
Carrie Nation was the subject for a GER
mon delivered by the Rev. George Buck
Ter, pastor of the New York Avenue
Church, corner of Fourth Street north
west, last night, the title of which was
THE Case Of Carrie Nation" Text, "She
hath done what she could" Mark xiv:S.
In speaking OF Mrs. Nation, Dr.. Buckler
said; she is a woman of courage. energy,
and determination, who is doing what she
believes to be her duty, and do not be-
lieve there is judge or jury in the State
of Kansas that will convict her OF any
violation OF the law. She has been ac-
cused of a desire for notoriety The ac-
cusation, am satisfied, is false. She is
woman, a mother, grandmother.
Civilization correctly condemns cranks.
II Mrs Nation is a crank if she is doing
wrong. violating the law, she deserves
our condemnation. Before condemning her,
however, let us give her a fair and Impair
tial trial. The Kansas courts are acquit-
ting her without trial. a fact which in it
self strongly savors of popular belief
in the righteousness of her cause. But
elsewhere things are done a little differ
emily than in Kansas We will neither
condemn her hastily nor acquit her with
out hearing. Let us try the case on it's
merits, without prejudice or bias.
"Of what is she accused? of smashing
saloons, demolishing dens and dives in
the State of Kansas where intoxicating
10, An kov. 1ra oh,
to the accusation? Guilty, gladly Who
accuses her? Why the dealers in damna-
ton, the proprietors of those places of
pleasure where rum reigns and the hall
lowed influences of happy homes are throt-
tied and choked by wine and worldly
wickedness. The rotten rum sellers who
fatten and tester on the life blood of
their betters-bloated blood suckers who
will rob their victim CT his last nickel
and then kick him in his craZed condition
into the streets to be cared for at the ex-
pense of the community. entailing untold
agony, shame, suffering, and humiliation
upon his helpless, innocent wife and
children, who may be begging for bread.
These are the compliments in the case.
These are the men who accuse this woman
OF smashing their saloons and destroying
their private property. We will not con-
denim them hastily. and besides they are
not on trial. We loathe and despise the
nefarious traffic in which these men are
engaged, but we will deal justly with
them. If these men have any rights in
the promises we Will respect those rights.
But let us see if they really have any.
Spread upon the statute books of the State
there is lava rigid, rigorous, uncom-
promising inelastic aw-absolutely pro-
hib.ting the sale OF intoxicating liquors
within the confines of the Commonwealth
of Kansas. These men PLY their Infamous
profession in open, shameless. vicious VIC
lation and daring devlish defiance of the
law. They are literally outlaws, brigands.
highwaymen, criminals unprecedented.
Nor dare they deny it. Nor do they deny
it. in fact, they admit it,
Whatever the legal rights of a felon
at liberty whatever the rights of an I'M
apprehended criminal. these are the only
rights of the men who sell liquor in the
State of Kansas. When they embark in
the business they do so with their eyes
OPEN They know they have no legal right
to sell liquor; they know they are Fio-
lating the law: they know that the prop
erty they purchase with which to fit up
their saloons is liable at any moment to
destruction or cOnflscation il the otfcia is
of the State do their duty they lave
solemnly sworn to do and faithfully exc
cute the laws upon the statute books of
the State in accordance with the solemn
obligations they have taken before God
and men.
My friends, the lawyers in the State Of
Kansas employed by the proprietors of
these joints, have my deepest sympathy.
do not think that II ] were a lawyer in
that Commonwealth there would be fee
large enough to tempt me to undertake
the prosecution of the case. II my repu-
tatiOn and prospects in life depended upon
my espoUsing the cause of the saloon
keepers | could not do it. ! woGld &c
down to my grave unknown and penni!ess
rather than soil my fingers with the base
brides Of the felons and outlaws whose
money is wrung from the hands CT the
fathers. brothers. and sons at the expense
of TIE stricken widows and CT
phaus and the miserable mothers and
wives whose life blaod is slowly dropping
as their lives pass in despair and despera-
ton because of the cruel curse Of intC-n-
Derance. According TO the law of the
Commonwealth of Kansas, Mrs. Nation
is not only right in smashing the saloons
in that State, but she would not be doing
her duty under the law If she did Lot
smash them. She is clearly within her
rights legally as well rs morally. Inc
only shame is that with the sale OF liquor
wide open and in defiance or the law, win
the ewes of the people wide open as 10 the
term and tenure of the law. those coward
" crowds would stand idly by while pro-
Tossing to sympathize with her in her cru
SADIE. and watch one weak woman do the
work that the law OF the State clearly au-
thorizes them all to do God bless her.
She Is a noble brave, heroic woman, with
the courage of her convictions. In smash
ing the saloons of Kansas she has done
Just right. I glory in her spunk. She has
done a good work She hath done what she
could And | say to you tonight OF this
COURAGEOUS Kansas crusader:
Now do not wish to be misunderstood
in this matter. | believe implicitly in
law and order and proprlety. | uphold no
man or woman who takes the law into his
or her own hands, as we understand the
EXPRESSION here. But this woman has
not taken the law into her own hands In
that sense at all. What she has done has
been done in accordance within the terms
of the law itself. in obedience to the law,
and by the sanction of the law. That Is
why | pray that God may bless her and
keep her. But l pray also that he ma,
keep her ia Kansas; for If she gets TO
gyrating elsewhere as she has there
fear some mean Missouri mob may
martyrizA her do not believe in pro
In a a farce