"I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and sarcasm; but I thank God
that where I live I need no longer endure the insults of the Rum Devil.
(Suppressed applause.) If Mr. Venerable thinks I am the only man present
who comes under his classification of 'deceived persons,' I will
demonstrate to him his folly, for there are many thousands here who
have not yet bowed the knee to Baal."
"Out of order!" "Put him out!" "Away with him!" came from the audience.
"If there is a person here opposed to the Rum Traffic, let him rise,"
fearlessly continued the tall man.
Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader; then another person; then a hundred
from Maine; yea, a thousand more until over seven thousand, from all
parts of the world, stood on their feet.
"Remain standing, I ask you! Let not one of you act the coward! There
are others here today, who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand up! Show
your colors! If you remain seated you will be classed with the enemy.
The time to honor your cause is at hand. I ask you seventy thousand
church-members present to choose this day whom you will serve."
Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced man in these uprisings, whispered
to an excited saloon-keeper: "Let them proceed.
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