The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. Nation
Dear Madam:--I see you have purchased property to make a home for
drunkard's wives. I send you five dollars to aid you.
Yours very truly,
Oakwood, Ills. JACOB F. ILER.
I hope thousands will follow the example of this man. Oh! how
the cry comes in: "I want a place in your Home. My husband or son
is a drunkard." Help the poor innocent results of the licensed curse.
Persons have often remarked, "How did you feel, when you went
in these places?" Imagine a burning house, a frantic mother, for her heart
treasures, her babes, are in that building. She hears their cries, she sees
their little arms, waving behind the closed window, amid the smoke
that soon will be a flame. She seizes an axe or hatchet near at hand,
with which she breaks open door or window to let her darlings escape.
Is there a mother in all the land that would not act thus? The mighty
ocean, in its anger is lashing a frail vessel, storm tossed, the captain
orders the cannon to boom! boom! boom! arousing and calling for help
to save the crew. We amputate the diseased limb with a knife, we pull
the aching tooth with an instrument of steel. Why? In order to save.
Just so, the people are asleep, while our precious ones are in danger of
being engulfed in ruin. The smashing is a danger signal, and I kept
it up, to prevent the people from relaxing into indifference, just as a
frantic, living mother would think only of the salvation of those she
loved.
AN APPEAL TO THE NATIONAL PROHIBITION COMMITTEE TO CONCENTRATE THE
FORCES IN KANSAS.
(Emmett L. Nichols, Wilkesbarre, Pa.)
It is a fact beyond dispute, that wherever prohibition is carried in a
state, the liquor dealers' association of the nation in a menacing manner
demands the dominant party in such state that she sees to it that liquor
is allowed to be sold in enough places, at least, to make it appear that
prohibition is a failure, they knowing that the people once made to see
the beneficial effects of prohibition will adopt it generally, as the true
solution of the liquor question, as it really is, all other methods having
been proven to be absolute failures. The politicians fearing the influence
of the power of rum, organized as it is, for self defense yield to the
demands of liquorocracy. Mrs. Carrie Nation has shown this to be the
true state of affairs in Kansas in her hatchet raid upon the joints of that
state. She has shown up to public ridicule the officials of that state, in
different places, in demonstrating the fact that they not only refuse to
enforce the prohibition law, but screen and protect the violators thereof,
and arrest any citizen who attempts to perform the duty which they were
sworn to perform. This state of affairs is most exasperating to every
lover of country. I contend that Mrs. Nation's hatchet has been the
means of bringing about the most critical period of the prohibition reform
movement in its history. It has laid open before the world the fact that
prohibition does not prohibit in certain portions of Kansas, simply because
public officials in violation of their oath of office will to have it so. Now
I further contend that unless these officials are forced to prohibit in
Kansas, prohibition will eventually be repealed in that state, and the way
thereby made all the more difficult for the triumph of the truth if the
officials of Kansas are allowed to continue their work of perfidy in refusing
to enforce the prohibition laws there, prohibition will not only be
repealed in that state, but the securing of national prohibition by peaceful
means will be an impossibility. Viewing the conditions in Kansas
as I do, I am moved to make this appeal to the National Committee of
the prohibition party to concentrate its forces in that state, with the view
of arousing sufficient sentiment among the people there to drive every
"joint" from within her borders. "On to Kansas" should be the battle
cry of the prohibitionists of the nation. It is more important that
the will of the sovereign power in Kansas be enforced in the matter of
prohibition than it was on the principle of the squatter sovereignty there
during the days of slavery. It seems to me that it is the bounden duty
of the National Prohibition Committee to make this fight. I fail to see
any work within its grasp comparing in importance to it. The agitation
which Mrs. Nation created with her hatchet is bound to subside unless
some organization, having the cause at heart will take the matter in hand
and add fuel to the fire of righteous indignation which has been sweeping
the state. The National Prohibition Committee can not afford to
look on letting matters take their course. The time has arrived for action
on its part, that it may set the example before the world what the party
it represents will do if placed in power. The very soul of every
prohibitionist in the nation ought to be on fire in a determined fight
for the triumph of prohibition in bleeding Kansas. I believe the struggle
being had there now means more, either for the weal or woe of this country,
than did the struggle against slavery on the same soil by John Brown
and his followers.
National Prohibition Committee, I repeat, "On to bleeding Kansas!"
A CO-LABORER IN TEXAS WRITES.
Columbia, Texas, February 23, 1901. Mrs. Carrie Nation, Topeka,
Kansas.--Dear Madame and Co- Laborer in the Cause of Humanity--I
have thought for some time that I would write to you, but knowing that
you were burdened with correspondence I have put it off from time to
time, but at last I venture to consume a little of your valuable time in
reading a letter from me. I have been fighting the liquor devil going
on nine years. Constantly have been called here by the citizens of this
place to deliver a series of lectures. I learn that you once lived here
and I see from today's Houston Post that you once lived at Richmond,
Texas. I find that the lady with whom I am stopping while here knows
you (Mrs. G. W. Gayle). Now Dear Mrs. Nation, I wish to say to you
that I believe that God has called you to a great work--a work that is
much needed, and that is calling the attention of the people of the United
States to the magnitude of the liquor traffic--the devil's great agent in
peopling hell--and I believe you commenced at the right place, the capital
of Kansas--the battlefield. Kansas being somewhat the center of the
United States, the eyes of every state in the union is fixed on it as a
guiding star relative to prohibition. If prohibition could be proven to
be a success in Kansas it would not be long until other states would follow
in its steps and on and on until our nation would be free from ruin,
but I doubt whether that will ever come, short of a great war such as we
have not seen or read of. If it is God's will, let it come, for there is
greater cause for war on this line than there was for the liberation of the
Cubans from the Spaniards. Now we see published in the papers down
here that you have gone into a newspaper enterprise to defend the Negro
race. I don't believe this for I know that there will be many things reported
by the liquor traffic to destroy your influence. I shall deny this
report as far as I can until I hear from you, for I know that the liquor
traffic is as wise as serpents and as harmless as the devil, and will do
anything they can to sidetrack you from the main issue, and that through
your supposed friends, so keep both eyes wide open. Then when they
fail in that they will lie on you. God, give you wisdom and may you
stick to your bush is my prayer. Oh, pray much and look out for enemies
in the guise of friends. They will fool you if you don't look out, for you
are doing more good than all the temperance workers combined. God
bless you; keep at it, and nothing else, for your work is only the beginning
of the greatest temperance and prohibition reform that has ever
been. Now it all depends on your not being sidetracked by supposed
temperance reformers. Don't allow any mortal person to stop you, but
push the battle to a finish. I have known of so many reformers making
a good start but about the time the thing begins to boil right well and
a prospect of doing something, some supposed helpers come in and capture
the whole outfit and put a stop to the move. But I trust in the Lord
that this is not a case of that kind. If you have time I would appreciate
a reply from you. Write me here as I will be here for about ten days,
after that my mail will be forwarded. My permanent address is Fort
Worth, Texas, care Polytechnic College.
Yours for liberty from rum,
J. G. ADAMS.
AN OLD SOLDIERS APPEAL.
Old Soldier's Home, Leavenworth, Kan., February 14, 1901.--Mrs.
Carrie Nation:--As I have read of your grand success in Topeka, and
elsewhere I wish to congratulate. For God's sake come to the Soldier's
Home and save the Old Veterans. Bring your hatchet along and clear
out the Canteen in the Home. Congress recently passed a law for all
Canteens to be closed on United States reservations, the officials of the
Home claim the law does not apply to the Old Soldiers' Home. Last
year the officials of the Home were very anxious to have the saloons
closed in the Klondike near the Home, for the protection of the Veterans;
as it did not bring the revenue into the Home, we are to be paid in one
week. Come at once and close the joint in the Home. Over 70 half-
barrels of beer are sold in on day at the Home after Pension day.
Respectfully, OLD SOLDIER.
A TRAVELING MAN'S LETTER.
Indianapolis, Ind.--"Mrs. Carrie Nation, Wichita, Kan:--As a preface
I feel it my duty to extend to you my sincere apology for encroaching
these lines for your consideration during the trying hours of your
incarceration, but as the purport of my letter undoubtedly differs, materially
in text, from the countless hundreds you have received, I feel assured
that the sentiment involved, originated as it has, solely from the spirit
and intrepid aggressiveness you have exploited in the suppression of that
paramount curse of mankind, Drink! will, in a measure, justify you in
condoning these lines.
For years the writer has been a traveling salesman, occupying positions
of trust and responsibility. As is the universal trait among the
larger element of my class, I contracted the indulgence of liquor. From
its inception and social intercourse, it gradually developed until I became
an irresistible slave to those base affinities--lewd women and whiskey. The
result, inevitable as death, produced its dregs; shattered health, separation
of family, and social and business ostracism. Prior to a month ago,
reparation and redemption from medical arid spiritual aid, had proven
valueless; with no alternative, I became resigned to the results of a mis-
spent life, when, from the West came the voice and heroic deeds of a
woman. Simple yet fervent, intrepid yet unique. You aroused the press
and the people. Your mission was born. Thousands, you may have
"influenced," but me you have "redeemed." I have read your words with
intenseness. Your forcible acts have impressed me. I resolved and have
conquered. God bless you! I am now organizing a temperance league
among my brother traveling men, paradoxical as it may sound, and am
meeting with a fair support, yet I believe an impetus and a stronger
influential lever can be extended through the expression of your well wishes
and any timely topics you care to extend in furtherance of the cause.
Asking your kind indulgence, and with best wishes for your ultimate
welfare, believe me. Your loyal supporter, W. S. SANFORD.. Care Terre
Haute House, Terre Haute, Ind.
FROM A HEART-BROKEN MOTHER.