The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-11

ful action. Our officers. barring some
d~epiorable exceptions, are temperance
men, favorable to the enforcement of
the pr%ohibitory law. While in many in
stances official remissness merits the
unqualified disapproval OF all good citi-
zens, in numerous other cases the off,
GERS are battling heroically to enforce
our temperance statutes in the face of
grave difficulties. Our legislators are a
body of men from whom we may look
for a fair treatment of the temperance
question, n effective opposition 10 any
measure for the overthrow or weaken
ing of our prohibition policy.
In some quarters an argument against
the success OF Our p~rohibitOry law is
drawn from its frequent violations. But
Notwithstanding h doleful assertions
OF failure, prohibition is a success in
Kansas, and its still greater success in
the future is almost certain. A year
and a half ago an investigation IN
Quoted from the office of the State
Temperance union bowed that activity
in the enforcement of the Drohfbitory
law prevailed in three-quarters of the
state. An Investigation made by the
office after last falls election showed
that the enforcement of this law was an
issue in at least So counties OF the state,
and that the result was hObefuI in 81
and discouraging in only six counties.
The conflict is not by any means
over, but to the forces of reform the
prospect is bright. Only the pessimist,
with vinegar aspect" can view the
field otherwise. No n VINO has been
identified with the work pretends to
deny that it encounters distressing n
depressing episodes, but this has been
true OF every moral and uplifting
movement of which history gives rec
ord. These, however, shOul only unite
sobriety's forces the more closely and
incite them to greater determination,
vigilance and activity
But we view the future hopefully
only because we trust to the continued
faithfulness of those who are trying
to make the present and the future bet
ter If they who long and struggle for
the worlds reform should give UP the
struggle, the star of our hope
would set and leave but the dark
ness of despair. But we know that
this will not be. The heroic toilers will
continue to toll. inspired with a divine
faith in the triumphant power of right
And SO in spite of OCCASION
al and gloomy reyerses, we may CON
hdently make "conQuering and to con7
quer' our inspiring motto.
Then let the smile of hope keep our
faces bright and our hearts young.
We are living in the best g of the
world and working for one that shall
excel it, and itself be the best. until it.
in turn be eNcelled. Compared with
any golden age in the foggy past, to-
day is more golden, and today's re-
forms are preparatory to a still richer
and more glorious tomorrow. Our path
toward sue & contamination leads
through the permanent elimination by
every wholesome influence of the
liquor traffic, the saloon. and its at
tendant bar.
A bar to heaven. a door to hell.
Whoever named it. named it well.
A bar to m~anliness and wealth.
A door to want and broken health;
A bar to honor, pride and fame.
A door to sin and grief and shame;
A bar TO hone. a bar to PRAYER.
A door to darkness and despair;
A bar to honored, useful life,
A door to brawling, senseless strife;
A bar to all that's true and brave,
A door to every drunkard's grave.
A bar to joys that home imparts.
A door to tears and aching hearts;
A bar to heaven. a door to hell,
Whoever named it. named it well.