A DEVILISH BUSINESS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1898

A DEVILISH BUSINESS.

In the liquor business, we believe, are many as good unconverted men as may be found in other lines of business. They are sober, honest in deal, neighborly, generous. These are in the business, licensed by law, to get a living, with but little thought or realization of the evil. And yet, measured by the result, there is no more evil, legitimately evil, business in the world. It is not only evil in its results, but in its operation. It hardens the hearts of those who engage in it. The following from the address of the presiding officer of the Ohio Liquor League, at its annual meeting, quoted by John G. Woolley in his speech at the recent Neal Dow banquet in Boston, is horrible, and yet literally true; but how could a man who loves or cares for humanity, utter such sentiments?

The success of our business is dependent largely upon the creation of appetite for drink.

Men who drink liquor, like others, will die, and if there is no new appetite created, our counters will be empty, as will be our coffers. Our children will go hungry, or we must change our business to some other more remunerative.

The open field for the creation of this appetite is among the boys. After men have grown and their habits are formed, they rarely ever change in this regard. It will be needful, therefore, that missionary work be done among the boys, and I make the suggestion, gentlemen, that nickels expended in treats to the boys now will return in dollars to your tills after the appetite has been formed.

Above all things, create appetite.

Such sentiments should make every lover of humanity in the world a prohibitionist.