Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-03-19
A Friendly Generalization.
CovINGToH, VA,


March Is, 1908.
DEAR Recommendation q reader from
distance, but native OF Shepherds
town, to congratulate you on the brave
stand you take In the matter OF llcens-
ing the saloon in your community.
watched she approaching conflict win
great interest; noted your attitude, and
was not at all surprised, though much
pleased, to see, on the eve OF such NOR
al battle IS was involved in voting Ii
cense or no license, your editorial on the
subject. It was what | should think an
earnest and faithful man would say,
where he was in possession OF the facts
such rs you say were known in your
town. You were impersonal, though
pointed know not even one person to
whom you refer. But | cannot agree
with the very honored citizen who
wrote a "Friendly Criticism" in think
ing such q revelation Of that much OF
gross intemreranee in so small place
as Shepherdstown is q matter that calls
for gratitude that its people are so
temperate and sober"
Shepherdstown il the seat OF Shop
herd College. Every institution OF the
sort in these days il only too glad to
place In the forefront the fact, where
such q fact can be truthfully stated,
that the community In which the In
stitution 10 located has OF it, own vote
declared that where boys come to be ed
ucsted saloons must not be licensed.
Communities are feeling the incongrui-
ty OF asking patronage OF our best peo'
pie, where their children are involved,
and at the same time Licensing the
greatest evil Of our day to stand, with
It's brazsn face, to Seduoe from virtue
the youth sent TO the institution to be
schooled That was my chagrin and
shs n ., therefore, to see In the Baltimore
Sun Of late issue, that my native town,
In spite Of the temperance wave that Is
sweeping the whole country, went
wet" by 10 much a. eighteen majority
Ihad thought 10 write you before this,
desiring to help, If | could, the cause
Of temperance. | was so sure OF VIC
tory for the right, backed by your de-
termined attitude, as editor, that l
thought it not worth while to say any
thing. But when you are criticised, as
you have been, in your issue OF March
18th, even in so kindly way, | know
enough about an editors experiences
to appreciate both now you feel and how
suck criticism will be taken by the
public.
With the kindest feelings towards
your friendly critic, shall say what
you are too modest to say, and yet what
is my judgment: You were entirely
within the bounds Of your jurisdiction
rs editor and had your usual good sense
and kind heart when you wrote your
editorial Of March 5th, in which yeu
stated ia unmistakable terms what in
temperance is doing for Shepherdstown.
As q man, with such power in your con-
troll as the editorshlp Of the communi-
tvs paper involves, how could you be
true to the people and not wave the
flag of warning as you saw the danger!
Extraordinary circumstances require
extraordinary methods and means.
This was no conflict which called for
hair-splitting as to little courtesies.
We have been till now too vague and
general in our attitude to intemperance.
While we have trained our guns on the
stars, the work OF ruin has been going
on in the earth.
Furthermore while all good mon
sympathize with victims, whether Of
saloons, or robbers, yet we all distin-
guish between the man who has been
suddenly pounosd upon and the man
who is a victim" to an evil that 10 sap
ping him physically and morally, but
which he seeks to think Of and call re-
spectacle, while the man who sells the
stuff that ruins is ostracised by society.
The drink habit takes two to run it,
namely, the seller and the drinker. II
the drinker sees where the evil isleAding
him and votes to e1pel the saloon-such
. man demands our sympathy, and ev-
en- praise. But il he who is being "vic-
timized" seeks by his vote to fasten on
the community that which victimized
him and will do the same for others,
see little difference between him who
sells and him who drinks.
%. KNOTT.