Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1908 — THE TEMPERANCE WAVE. [ARTICLE]

THE TEMPERANCE WAVE.

The temperance wave that is now spreading over the country is the moat notable and Important moral movement since the agitation against African slavery a half century ago. It Is not local, but extends from the Gulf to the Lakes and from ocean to ocean. That the cause of temperance la gaining strength is proven by the fact that in two-thirds the terrtiory of the United States the saloon is banished by law. Forty years ago 3,600,000 people in this country lived in what is known as “dry territory.” Today 86,005,000 people live in “dry territory.” During the forty years the popylation increased two-fold. The "dry territory increased ten-fold. In 1900 there were 18,000,000 living in dry territory; today double that amount. This great temperance wave has been spreading more rapidly in the South than in the North, wedded as it has been so long to its morning teddy and mint julep. In the fourteen Southern states there is a population of 20,000,00J. 0f this number 17,000,000 live in “dry territory.” Even in “Old Kentucky,” where $160,000,000 are invested in distilleries, 97 per cent of the people live in “dry territory.” The same movement Is going on in the North. Sevral Btates have prohibition by constitutional amendments and others have banished the saloon by local option and remonstrance laws. What is the cause of this sentiment? At ~the bottom of this temperance upheaval is the revolt of the American conscience against what It considers to be wrong? It is an affirmative answer to Cain’s question, "Am I my brother’s keeper?’' This answer Involves the question of individual liberty and Old Mr. Sumptuary's supremacy. But the best sentiment of the country endorses the theory that it Is no encroachment upon a man’s Individual liberty to save him from himself—from his evil passions, desires and temptations; and that It is not a violation of any -principle of Individual freedom to restrict and curtail the privileges of men who are engaged lh a business that is dangerous to their neighbors and Is inimical to the public welfare. Men are privileged to do as they please so long as they do what Is harmless and does not interfere with the rights, privileges and happiness of their fellow men. When they do Interfere with these rights, then they are fit subjects for the law’s restraining power. And that is just what the temperance wave means. Behind this movement are three propelling forces that might be classed as business, moral and patriotic. First—ln this strenuous age of commercial activity men are demanded who have steady hands, clear brains and sober Judgment The railroads, express and telegraph companies and all the great corporations of the country discriminate against the men who drink. Insurance and society companies are careful in examining the habits of those who apply for Insurance or bonds. At Gary, Ind., the great Steel Corporation will spend SIIO,OOO to establish a plant there. It has 6,000 acres of land to be platted Into lots.* In the deeds for these lots Is this provision: That “the sale of intoxicating liquors Is forever forbidden on these premises.” The planters and business men of the South have led the movement against the saloons because liquor destroys the efficiency of the labor of that section. And all these things are done by our best business men as s business proposition. Second The moral sentiment against the traffic touches the hearts of the people, more deeply than anything else. From a moral viewpoint the traffic is evil and only evil. The ruined lives, the unhappy homes, the neglected wives and children, these things appeal to right-thinking people everywhere. When we recall such crimes s a the murder of the officer In the courthouse at Terre Haute by s saloonlst, and the murder of his own mother by young Blake of Anderson (mad and crazed as he was by whisky), it requires a cold and stony heart that can stand up and defend the evil traffic.

Third—But probably the most potent cause back of the temperance wave at this time fe the patriotism of the people. The -arrogance and disrespect of law by the brewers and saloons and their attempts to dominate the politics of the country have aroused the righteous indignation of the people. The habit of individual drinking Is not so much opposed on patriotic grounds as the debauching of the ballot and the corrupting of the voters and public officials by the modern use of "Boose and Boodle" In politics. For these and many other reasons the saloon is declared an outlaw and a great battle is being waged against It The Republican party, while not fanatical In its tsmperanoe views, has slwsys stood for practical, reasonable temperanoe reform. As with all other reforms for the betterment of mankind, the .Republican party represents the beat sentiment and the best organised public spirit in the nation. It has given this state all the tsmperanoe legislation that Is worth while. The Nicholson and lfoore laws were enacted by Republican legislatures. And now as the conscience of the people is aroused against the orimes of King Aloohol and the arrogant domination of the saloons in politic*, the Republican party meats the demands of the people and promises advanced temperance legislation in the form of oounty local option. The plank an this subject la the Republican platform Is clear and strong It goes to the root of the evil and meets the wishes of the AaMaloon l eague of the stats. What more should tsmperanoe sdvo cates wantt Om PmimiMu Manta easing the haxideefWs* « the wall, tried to get on the “weSer wagon," bet

failed. Tom Taggart and his brewer and saloon 00-workers sidetracked the better element of the party and had the state convention adopt a misleading plank on the question. It Is a straddling, bungling affair and will not meet the demands of the people. Crawford Fairbanks, the big brewer of Terre Haute, says the Democratic plank is all right. The Anti-Saloon League says the Republican plank is the proper thing. Let temperance people take their choice—the choice of the brewers and saloons, or tj&e choice of the Anti-Saloon League.