The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-10
Editor Palladium:

Concerning the great prohibition
movement, allow me space to say: 1t
is my firm conviction after much can
did study, that we are now entering
on the threshold of world wide epoch
of spiritual uplife towards a moral bet
terment In all branches of civic right
eousness; a moral upheaval that will
demand definite and clear-cut align
ment under one or the other stand
ard; either with the forces that make
for evil, or rally round the standard of
the cross, and like the hosts of Con-
stantine, say. by this sign we con-
quer. Gentleman may cry peace.
peace, but there is no peace In the
dark days of 81 and '65 that tried
mems SOULS" the peacemaker was
much in evidence, and the let-a-loners
were numerous, saying. "let them
alone, have they not personal liberties
and rights to go out of the union, as
much as we have to stay in it?'' And
when Fort Sumter was fired upon, the
dogs of war let loose, and the battle
fray broke with all It's fury, even then,
there were they who, like the bat in
the tabled war of beasts and birds,
lowered above and out of danger, sid
ing as victory wavered; but in the end
they found fellowship with neither
side. and we're forced to abide with the
things of darkness. Such were call
ed "butternuts,'' rebel sympathizers,"
and were asked to go to the rebel
army and have the manhood to fight
as they talked: they were held in great
er contempt than the confederates on
the firing line. Why was Jeff Da-
Wis" held in greater adherence by all
loyal people than the common soldiery
of the entire confederate army: The
answer is self-evident, because of his
position and influence as president of
the confederacy. So also. we are to-
day in a warfare with the whisky in
terests, that brooks no compromise,
and a mans vote counts exactly pro-
portionate to his position and influ-
ence.
My contention is. that the preacher
in the pulpit, teacher in a college or
from the forum, cannot have the spir-
itual uplift of humanity at heart who
will, by word or deed, give aid, abet-
ment, and comfort to the whisky In
terests: such persons. because of Their
position and influence, in the sight OF
God, must be held more reprehensible
than the saloonist, who works and
votes according to the dictates of his
own business interests. This Is a
hard saying to some, so was the say
ings of Jesus to the chief priests and
pharisees.
After thirty years of candid study OF
alcoholism. nicotinism and other phys
iologic sins. the writer is convinced
that these evils can never be lawed
out of existence: that education which
begins and ends at home. offers the
only redemption: bring up a child in
the way he should go. and even when
he is old he will not depart therefrom.
If everybody went barefooted, how
many shoe stores would there be in
Richmond? Yet. notwithstanding
his belief, the writer voted .'dry.r II
he had been employed in a wholesale
liquor mandatory. holding this be-
lief. he would have resigned, or not
voted at all. A conscientious employe
will not use his influence to the detri-
ment of his employer. On the other
hand, had he voted wet" holding the
same, he certainly would not object to
being classed with the "wets.''
JOSEPH NJ. THURSTON.