The wonder is
that instead of one hatchet slashing away among the decanters there
are not ten thousand of them all over the land. To stand by the grave
of a husband or son ruined by drink is enough to drive a woman crazy.
Instead of criticising Mrs. Nation, let us turn on those heartless saloon-
keepers and the negligent and responsible judiciary and that indifferent
and callous community. They are the ones who put the edge on Mrs.
Nation's hatchet. The Master said: 'If these should hold their peace
immediately the stones would cry out.' It is because those pledged to
public order hold their peace that Mrs. Nation's hatchet is flying about."
A Catholic Priest. Mendota, Minn.--"Mrs. Carry Nation. Dear
Sister:--These days back the season's routine duties of a Catholic priest
have prevented me from expressing to you my sympathy and my admiration
for your pluck. You are the John Brown of the temperance cause.
Your smashing of saloon fixtures has been but a very little thing beside
the effect it had, and was bound to have, all over the country, and the
world, in building up backbone and courage and holy emulation in hundreds
of thousands of those reading of it. You are a credit to womankind
and humanity; you are infinitely more deserving of the gratitude
of the country than are the men at the head of our armies and fleets
in needless and demoralizing war. I want to send you $2.00 but have
some fears it may not reach you safely if I enclosed it herein.
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