The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-18
Bill Arlp's Letter.

torious copartnership existing between
the saloon and the gambling den and the
mouse OF shame, except to point out that
the saloon is the promoter of the other
two evils with which decent society has
to contend. We make our appeal to rea-
son and not to passion The liquor pro-
Diem is certainly as old as the days of
Noah, and it will probably continue to
some extent to the end of time. But the
very worst solution of that problem is the
saloon. One can make no mistake in
arguing for any change as an improve
ment over the saloon.
Nor are We holding any grief against
the moderate drinker. 1t will certainly
be admitted that the appetite for strong
drink needs restraint rather than en-
enlargement, whether the restraint be
that of a strong will or of external law |
But the saloon tempts men, not only to
drinking, but to excessive drinking. 1t
reinforces the love of drink with every
other possible allurement. Nor are things
much improved when the state lays its
hand upon the saloon and tries to reform
it, High license reduces their number, !
but enlarges those that remain and in |
creases their ;ttractiveness. Moreover |
the pressure upon the saloon keeper to |
pay high tax tends to make him I'M |
scrupulous, as to evading the restrictions
thrown around him, while the temptation |
to heighten his profit by cheapening his |
stock leads to adulteration with poisons |
and the increased destruction of human |
life and ruin OF human reason. Reform
ing the saloon is like reforming the man
eating tiger when he has had his taste |
of blood.
More than this, the saloon has been an
evil in politics for years. 1t has been
utterly selfish in the preservation of It's
own interests at whatever cost It has
kept down the normal stature of the peo-
pies representatives to the level of the
saloon politician. 1t has practiced bribery
and corruption on an unlimited scale, |
thus debauching the electorate. 1t has
used and moulded. during the period |
which began with Reconstruction, the
ignorant and vcnal negro vote for the
election of its creatures and the carrying
out of it's policies. 1t has espouscd any
party that would subserve its interest
and betrayed any that showed symptoms
of decency.
And now the ignorant negro vote.
which the saloon fought so hard to re-
tain, has been eliminated. And in the
mean time the Christian churches have
been quietly doing their work of indoc-
trinating men with the hatred of drunk
enness and with the love of their fol-
lowmen and it turns out that the members
of the churches are in the majority and
can do whatever they will with this
gigantic evil in North Carolina and
throughout the South.
In this State we have a Legislature
already in session of which great things
are expected. We have a Governor who
is as much in favor of reducing drunken
ness as of increasing education, of less
ening the saloons as much as multiplying
schools. A United States Senator and
others high in the councils of his party
who have declared themselves in favor
of reform. One of the most influential
newspapers of the State has given it's
hearty support to the same plan.
The Anti Saloon forces have formulat-
ed their platform as was published in
last weeks Standard. And all we need
is the backing of the good people of the
State to carry the plans through even
against the utmost efforts of the Liquor
Dealers Association and their corrup-
ton fund and their lobbyists
We suggest that every minister who
reads these lines write to his representa-
tives in both Senate and House and to
any others known to him. asking fer their
support to be given to the Atni- Saloon
measures. We suggest that every church
officer and every private member of the
church do the same thing. Where a local
fight is needed and the Legislature can
help, exercise the sacred and immemorial
right of petition and send the petitions in
They will be read to the House or Senate
as the case may be- and will make their
own impression. Where it is possible,
let local delegations back up their petit
tions. We have half of the counties of
North Carolina already free from the sa-
loon. Every other one helps to free
more.
And then there is a disagreeable duty
that may have to be performed, and yc.
a very necessary one if we are ever to
rid our public men of the old and now
basele5s fear OF the saloon. Let them be
taught to fear the awakened wrath OF
he people whose representatives they
are, if their votes and their conduct prove
heir subserviency to the saloon.
Let them understand that they can
mover hold any office again in the gift
OF their present constituency The lesson
niay be hard to teach but it is a most
effective one. And let their successors
ID the years to come read the names upon
ne political tombstones and the inscrip-
lons that tell what manner of death they
lied
The times are ripe for united and ag-
sressive action by the moral and Chris
Ian forces of this ancient and honora BILE
commonwealth to wipe out forever that
not upon our Christian civilization, the
saloon.