The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-12-31
ADVANCEMENT OF
The STANDARDS
A PROMINENT CITIZEN OF Me-
RRAsKA WRITES OF THE AD-
afANcEMENT or THE MORAL
gARDs AMONG THE COM
s--eERcIAL TRAVELLING MEN.

In the following extract from an adj
dress by William E. Reed, prominent
citizen OF Nebraska, he sets forth the
advancement of moral standard
among commercial travellers and the
great truth OF individual self control
and education as opposed to restrictive
legislation in the development OF NOR
al character. 5, In the course Of his adj
dress at Emerson, Neb., Mr.. Reed said:
ITO my personal knowledge, within
the last quarter OF century tho
standing and cheracter Of the travel
ing salesman has Increased wonder
fully, indeed. The dictates of his own
conscience, his high moral character
and standing, and the desire in this
commercial age aid business atmos-
phere tolbe profcieRt LAS induced him
in.a suarked degreeN,to dispense with
The use Of liquors. INhe old idea that
Ebefore he could sell his customer any
goods, he must take Snim to saloon
'A2nd treat him, has BEEN found not ONLY
unnecessary, bat detrimental as well.
or late years one frequently hears
travelling statesmen sayt, eff. cannot
sell, any merchandise without first
taking customer to saloon to give
him drink, I prefer tot make no sale
at all" and the Wholesale house sus-
tains him in his position,I These sales
men, now, as Q. class ARD a band OF
teachers of a higher typa Of character
and standing than ever Nbefore; they
have raised the standard of good
citizenship; they have demonstrated
that they have the power to resist
temptation; they are settling good ex-
amples; they are doing a good work,
and, like one who u bconsciensly
builds the best reputation 4 as the citi-
zen, they are doing 1t bE their daily
habits. Quietly, yet Armfy and with a
steadfast purpose in vieJv- keen, alert,
honorable and yet ma5re exposed to
Vice and infamy Throughout the land
Gan any other class OF citizens. they
asreiyaing examples Of broad, fair, up
right, bnest. INTELLECTUAL men, and the
fact thai they haTFe a higher standing
than everbefore shows what each in
dividual ca do for himself; and it Is
our duty to u tend to them the right
hand OF fellowship, because they be-
came their own master first: and he
who conquereth himself first Is great
er than he who taketh a city.
'eThe economic conditions OF the age
require clear headed business men
The closer the competition the more
rigid the requirements Of the employer,
until now, slowly, surely yet certainly
the excessive use of liquor is becoming
q thing Of the past. When a man sees,
understands, and believes in the abb
solute necessity of resisting temptation
in the mad struggle for acquiring
wealth In the land, less intoxication
VIII occur, and 1t would matter not,
under such conditions, whether he had
en- opportunity to procure it under the
sanction of law or not.
Il am willing to go as far in the In
terests of temperance as anyone, but
do not think 1t is our duty to become
as sensitive on that subject as mem
i Der of the Peace society was recently
who declared that he did not like to
live upon this earth because 1t was
such q revolver.
"Great reforms have never been
known to come quickly Radical
changes do not take place suddenly
The greatest tidal wave upon our
ocean's shores, of which history has
any record. is known to have come
from beneath the surface. The great
and mighty surging OF the waters
Ahave first to come from below and are
known as the undercurrent. 1t Is not
he first gust Of wind that sweeps |