Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-04-01
TO
The VOTERS

lHE vUlEkS
Prominent Country Citizen Makes
an Appeal To Have Willmar
Remain Dry.
Editor Willmar Tribune:-We
are sorry to see that the saloon
question must come up again at the
next city election in Willmar; we
had hoped that no set of men would
have courage enough to sign petit
ton ter a vote on this matter now,
inasmuch as everybody seems to
think that Wil|mar is an ideal city.
Even some of those who in former
years sided with the saloon have ex-
pressed their satisfaction with the
way the present regime in Willmar
are keeping the much dreaded blind
pigs out Of the city. This which
we have heard, coupled with per-
sonal observations, all giving evil
dence that the city is very orderly,
led us to believe that the old say
ing. "Let we'll enough alone,"
would be lived up to. But, alas!
the saloon must have found a cozy
place very near to the hearts of
some men, and sometimes wonder
at myself that | can be so cold to-
wards this bosom fri: nd of many
other people. If the thing is good,
then there must be something
wrong with me. But if it is bad
and ruinous, then the other fellow
must be off.
Let the gentlemen who fostered,
and those who signed the petition,
come up and tell US some about the
virtues that their friend is in pos
session of. If the saloon and the
fruits we reap thereof be good, then
we should, as good men and citi-
zens, help it along, and entreat our
children to frequent it. But if we
find that it is a detriment and hind
rance to the moral welfare of our
people, then it should go down and
out every time. This is fair, l be-
lieve. When the spring birds
alight on our front porch, hopping
around, chirping their merry tunes,
and little girls and boys clap their
hands with joy, then we should, and
do, step around with care, lets we
may drive them away. Why? Be.
cause they bring a little sunshine
and happiness into our homes. But
if a poisonous reptile, with eyes
and manners telling US that he is
looking for a chance to bury his
fangs into anyone who may come
within his reach, appears on the
scene then it is time to get busy
and strike. 1t would be crime to
let such a beast roam about our
premises unmolested.
In my opinion the saloon is just
such viper. Then why petition
for it? Why use your good names
to such a duplication? Men! STOP
and think a little; consider what
the effects upon your fellow citi.
zens would be if the saloon by hook
or crook should again get a footing
in the city. But l cannot believe
that the residents Of Willmar will
consent to be partners in business
that must bring tears and sorrow
upon care-worn mothers and limo.
cent children; a business that will
in many cases make drunkards out
of our sons and turn a good anc
kind husband and father into a ty.
rannical brute, and throw peace anc
happiness to the winds. No! the
good people of Willmar will not, il
they can help it, allow this monste,
to enter into the city only for the
sake of giving some parties {
chance TO make some dollars. Let
them make an honest living.
Two years ago the writer was tolC
by a couple Of thoughtless men re-
siding in Willmar that we country
people had no business to pry into
city affairs. This is true in gener
al, but the saloon is a thing in ;
class by itself. You cannot run {
number Of saloons in the city anc
keep the effects of them within the
city limits. What kind of being
does the saloon create? l have seer
enough of them to be able to give
you a fairly good description. The
saloon will send out into the worlc
a class Of men stripped of manhood
and virtues, we'll versed in vice
Such men we meet in every com
munity wherever we go, and they
must be taken into account in al
things relative to moral and socia
developments. From where do We
get all those new men so over-wil
ling to vote when ever any town OF
city is to decide for or against the
saloon? They are, as rule, grad
yates from that institution, and Of
ten this class holds the balance oil
power and will decide the matter
in their own fashion.
May God give his people granc
victory over this our common enc
my! Let the ladies take hold with