The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-08-23

longer deprive his family OF suitable food.
clothing and other comforts OF life wholly
for self-grstincation. He has never touch
ed intoxicants from that day. nearly
generation ago. to this. IT never before
that night said my friend. had any
good idea OF what a contemptfbly selfish
wretch had become through rum and
beer" The stun with which our friend
used to irrigate his physical domain how
ever. was not consecrated: II was utterly
devoid OF that pious sanctim oniousnees
which clusters around and permeates the
rum and gin blessed and devoted 10 mans
welfare by men in holy vestments. The
Jersey lightning surgling down the throat
OF our friend was sold amid the sound OF
worldly SONG wholly uninfiuenced by tho
doxology chanted by melodious voices and
the harmonious blending OF treble, tenor
and bass. Herean. Il will readily be seen.
was the secret OF our friends misfortunee.
True, the frequenter OF the oonseorated
Gin mill and the drinker OF dedicated
brandy: Missouri rotgut and Kentucky
whiskey, leaves his wife at home. and II
II also a serious fact that half or even
quarter OF the cash left at the holy
rumshop would create JOY and gladness
among wife and children; but what is the
happinenss OF the balance Of the fam
lily compared with induiging passions and
appetites by the lord OF the household7
II r. also true that alchohol is the pol
sonous excrete OF an animal engendered
by fermentation and that while years
ago adulterations we're far more poisonous
than alcohol, yet In these days. In all
enlightened countries. the adulterations
Of alcoholic beverages are almost invaria-
bly, far less deeterious than the intoxi-
cants adulterated, and because OF this
fact we no longer view with 30 much
alarm the fact that not one glass OF liquor
in the hundred sold In Rhode Island Is
pure liquor. Is the adulteration OF poi
sonous beverages a serious menace TO
the people? IL this adulteration not
real benefit I'm reducing the evil effects OF
pure liquors on the physical system? In
fact. brethren, Is not this hue and cry
for pure liquor fully nine-tenths humbug
and the remainder nearly all delusion?
What is needed most of all Is to pour
upon both sdulterated and unadulterated
lntoxicants a benediction food followed
by the doxology and prayer equal 10
that offered about 60 years ago at
Fanuel hall pro-slavery gathering, well
described ty Wendell Phillips. as The
most eloquent prayer ever offered 20
Bostol audience"
But. says some ore with a sad ex-
perience through imhibing overdoses OF
undxologized liquor I'm drinking rum
there Is a divinity that that shapes our
ends rough. IIew them how we will.
The unfortunate quoter. however mere
ly lacked the benefit and protection or
having his toddy consecrated, and any
man who puts himself outside OF Jersey
lightning has only himself 10 blame II
he does not obtain the benefit OF the
clergy 10 render the beverages harmless
and eminently beneficial.
OF course the ungodly will naturally
scof at consecrated gin mills and devout
drunkard manufacturers. they may even
endorse the benevolent but erring priest
who seemed 10 have far more faith in
practical charity than long prayers. and
therefore spent many precious hours go
ing about doing good. The priest was be-
sought 10 bless a sterile field incapable
OF raising white beans: but looking the
ground over carefully he replied. Pray
ers are of no avail here. What the land
needs most is manure. and IN | am any
Judge in this case ] should say that ~
cords to the acre would just about meet
the requirements"
In conclusion. have no doubt OF the
sincere motives OF the bishop who conse-
rum. brandy and Jersey lightning. any
more than | question the right of James
A. Williams TO turn his back upon the
Prohibition party and join the Democratic
party to which he has always rightfully
belonged Nevertheless. there is way
that seemth right unto man. vet the
ways thereof are the ways OF death 10
good citizenship and the welfare OF the
needy wage Garner.
ALEX. s. ARNOLD,
Lifelong Jeffersonian Wage Earners Ad-
vocate.