The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-16
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| temperance people of the world, with.
| out distinction of party or creed, come
together on this great issue, purgine
their hearts Of enmity and strife, with
Gods help and guidance, in brotherly
love preferring one another, then in
| temperance, with all it's attendant evils
| will soon be thing of the past. This
| was verified in my own experience
Some years ago | resided in terri
tory which became a state while l was
a resident The Constitutional con
vention decided that tho temperance
section be voted on separately, as II
seemed to be the only article in the
proposed constitution that there was
work began for the temperance section.
1t was the, same old story. of fear
from loss of business and all the other
things we have heard about so often.
Two very serious problems confronted
the town in which lived. 1t hnd a
large Norwegian settlement in one part
of the town. who were not contented to
drink whisky, but drank alcohol
whenever they could get it. which rem
dered some of them fiendish when they
were under it's influence. Then. too.
suspension bridge spanning a river.
was all that separated the little, city
from another state that would well
come the saloons to the little town that
was already established there. Many
argued. that, being SO near. we would
still have our drunkards without any
revenue to the city.
Wise counsel prevailed, however, and
strenuous efforts were made to get
every temperance vote, irrespective OF
party affiliations. The whole state
was looking to our city to cast the de-
Gliding vote Every man was can
vassed: but the day before the election
it was generally conceded by the most
optimistic that the day was lost A
man of God. pastor of one of the
be an all night praycrmeeting, to call
upon God for His help. He said that
he did not want any demonstration
about town. just quiet prayer meet
ing. and waiting upon God. He urg-
ed them to Cast not away therefore
your confidence" Heb 1881 but urg-
ed the people to remember the prom
Uses IF we ask anything according to
his will he heareth u.s. He also ad-
strife out of their hearts and thus be
ready for Gods blessing.
1t was night never to be forgotten.
the saloons and the gambling dens, all
brilliantly lighted, were filled with
men who saw victory for their evil
pursuits on the morrow.
In another part Of the city lighted
church and people coming and going at
all hours of the night. Some went
out of curiosity and remained to pray.
others believing for the first time the
words of that grand old hymn. as it
was sung that night, God Moves in
Mysterious Way, His Wonders to Per-
FORM" and many hearts were comfort
ed and cheered. l firmly believe that
1t was through faith in God. and in His
overruling providence manifested that
night. by that praying company. that
the temperance section OF the constitu-
ton was adopted by a plurality Of over
a thousand votes.
For year or so the papers. or rath-
er some of them, advocated resubmis-
sion. but the people would not hear
of It, Our city became distributing
point for large area and in few
years more than doubled in population.
Do you want to know about the little
town on the other side Of the river?
The saloons and dens OF vice moved
over and made a town which soon be-
came such an object lesson OF wicked
ness that respectable people. or people
who called themselves SO. did not dare
to be seen there, and it is not as large
now as it was ten years ago.
Editor of Palladium:
A few words in answer to article
signed d. r. Y. printed in Fridays
Palladium. Ii the writer could come
with me for just little while and
visit the places called saloons. then
visit the homes wrecked and ruined
by them. see the children made hun
CRY and ragged by them. then visit
the work-houses, asylums. and pris-
ons filled by saloon victims. and last.
but not least visit the grave-yards
filled by them, and while in the grave
yard think OF the souls crying in the
regions of darkness-too late.
You say il the saloon is righteous
institution, the saloon is far from
righteous. 1t is the most degrading
business in the world today. The sa-
loon curses the body and destroys the
soul. Crime is condensed alcohol. It
is a disgrace for SO great govern
ment as ours to license such crime
Nothing good has never, nor never
will come ont of saloon. Just think
OF person that God allows to live