The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1891-12-17 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

OPEN LETTER. TO THE CARLISLE PUBLICANS.  In selecting the Goat Inn for your place of meeting to prepare for the coming struggle with the Temperance party, you showed the wisdom of the serpent. for no more appropriate place could be found for men who are qualifying to stand among the goats in the next world. Your position is indeed a trying one, what with Sir Wilfrid Lawson bafore you, and Lady Carlisle behind you, it is only a matter of time as to when you will bo, ground between the upper and nether millstone. But neither your smiles or frowns will make the leaders in the cause of righteousness halt for one moment in their t-iumphant march to spike your guns and destroy your vile traffic. The Chairman at your meeting spoke of the dislike you entertain for drunkards. But, don't forget in your simulated virtue that you make all the drunkards. As Rev. Joseph Parker said, you murder men by selling poison, and then throw a crust to the fatherless children. What a pity you make men who were respectable into "nuisances," and then they drive others out of your houses. Why not stop the manufacture? The Chairman advocated united action irrespective of party, but we know you will vote Tory in the future as in the past. You are publicans, and patriots, and will support what Mr T. W. Russell called the Tory Government—the Drink Party. Your £5OO per annum paid agent, Mr Henry Jackson, gave Lady Carlisle some kind advice, to spend her money in getting better houses for the poor, but who makes the people poor but you drinksellers who employ Mr Jackson to defend your interests ? Mr Jackson said your opponents would never cease attacking you as long as the funds of the United Kingdom Alliance lasted. If that is so, you will be attacked until routed and driven out of your dreadful trade, because the friends of the Alliance at their last annual meetiag expressed in a very practical way that the sinews of war should not be wanting Mr Jackson's remarks about Lady Carlisle wishing to prohibit football, &c., &c., is utter nonsense, but worthy of the position he holds as your adviser and defender. But, although you are calling your troops together, in preparation for the coming general election, I fear it will be a forlorn hope and that you are fifty years too late in taking the field. By the way, how is it Mr Jackson does not hold public meetings and place your claims as public benefactors before the people? Is it because the only time he tried his hand in public debate with the local representative of the Alliance, he got a terrible licking and that when the vote was taken he only had six in his favour? Your well-paid man should do more than talk to liquor sellers in public houses. Trot him out some night at the City Hall and make him lay your case before the electors, and then we shall see what we shall see. You are displeased because all the members of the Watch Committee are not goats and take your drink, but some folk think there are more than enough drinkers and intend to send abstainers to take their places. Wishing you joy in your visit to ask police assistance to carry on your trade, which assistance no respectable business requires,—Yours, &c.,