Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-16
ARRAIGSS LIQUOR TRAFFIC
". @, Bsw,ss Plead 70: Prohibition At
Christian Church OsnvsHtion Rally.
no COMPROMISE WITH SIN FOR CHURCH
D~enounce High License, Local Option
ana other tie trictive Methods
ns Impotent and Insists on
Absolute Prohibition.

The FIRST meeting in connection with the
Christian church convention was held at
the Coliseum last night, It being a proht-
bition rally at which prominent ministers
and members Of the Christian church took
part.
G. w. Bowles Of Alma, ILL.,, presided. In
S. Allen Of indianapolis, Ind, who was to
have led the song and praise service. was
not present at the opening, but arrived
later. As soon as he took charge OF the
meeting It became very lively. On every
hand from the stage and from the seats
by nvitation-came scriptural texts. apply
ing to the suppression Of the liquor trafic.
There probably were 1000 present at the
time OF the social meeting and at times
NOR, than one was repeating the texts. Then
came sentence prayers from the stage and
tho congregation for the success Of the
movement. in which men and women took
part for a few minutes. The prayer service
was closed by Rev. Simpson Ely.
In Introducing the speaker of the even
ing. w. c. Bowles, the chairman, said that
he was pleased with the attendance which
by that time numbered nearly 1000. He
said that state prohibition does not solve
the liquor question more than state SOW
e~reignty solved the slave questions; that
local option does not solve the question;
ludI niBn AlCtuhb II uOI q huONNoo dhu AZ
only solution of the question is the prohl-
bition Of the manufacture and sale Of liquor
in all parts Of the country, by a consti-
tutional amendment. God works with men
TO accomplish his purpose and he is pre-
pairing men today for the work. The
speaker OF this evening early. began to
work in the prohibition movement; he has
grown from young manhood. step by step,
until today he is the chairman of the ma
tiopal prohibition party; is known among
disciples as one Of the ablest ministers of
the church: and is a candidate for the state
Legislature"
His Candidacy Endorsed,
One of the features of the evening was
the reading Of a telegram from w. T. Null
vihill of Chicago. saying the candidacy Of
the speaker had been endorsed by the
Legislative Voters League of that city, an
organization composed Of members Of all
parties interested in all clean administra-
ton Of the laws.
Arguing from the Christian standpoint,
Mr.. Bowles said: There is no one who
believes the liquor traffic is a settled ques-
ton. The American people are, therefore,
anxious to know what attitude the gov
eminent should take toward the saloons.
The purpose Of government is to allow peo-
PIE 10 pTObeCI lneH IlBulh anu " bQuhllho
as far as possible. the chances of men.
Understanding that the attitude Of gov
eminent toward things must depend upon
the thing itself. II should assist all that
is good. It should inquire as to the thing
itself before making a decision. The law
must be against all things that are harm
full to the rights of property and persons.
Men will steal In spite OF law against
theft. II this is so II might be said that
we might license thieves, permitting them
to steal during certain hours, not after
midnight, nor from minors, nor on Sunday,
nor from persons who have been habitually
stolen from. The plan might be said ia
be subversive OF government. Then, ]
might say let us have an official thief-ther
you would know who got the property
even though you could not get II back.
"Bu this Is no argument in favor OF
licensed stealing. We must admit that nc
government should permit theft, murder
counterfeiting, and must make the prohi-
bltion as strong as possible even though
It is known that all these crimes cannot
be stopped. The only exception to this
rule is the dealer in liquor. His work IL
harmful to the community. In place Of
giving us better men he gives us worse
men. He is placed by the law among the
best people Of the community. while pub
lie sentiment will not place hin there. 1
there is any reason why you should treai
the liquor trafic any different from otheI
evils II Is almost time for some person
TO show 1t.
ut is up to you to point to the passagI
Of scripture which warrants you In licens
ing the saloon. There are men who ad
vance the idea that the saloon is an eco
nomic advantage.
THE government should take a hostil
attitude toward the liquor trafic. Tn
license plan is a protective attitude. Re
ducing the number OF saloons is not nee
e~ssarily an injury to the liquor trafnc
When you leave one saloon in a town yor
give It a monopoly. You have no right L
compromise with evil. 1t is never prscti
cal to commit sin.
Voting Party Ticket.
when a man votes a party ticket h
votes for things for which the party stands
When a man prays one way and votes an
other he loses his prayer-his vote counts
We have in effect a saloon policy in thi