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Alcohol and Men in Responsible Positions
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When Government Men Betray Their Trust
—Men who
make laws to control the people should above all others be obedient
to the higher laws which are the foundation of all rule in nations and
in families. How important that men who have a controlling power
should themselves feel they are under a higher control. They will
never feel thus while their minds are weakened by indulgence in
narcotics, and strong drink. Those to whom it is entrusted to make
and execute laws should have all their powers in vigorous action.
They may, by practicing temperance in all things, preserve the clear
discrimination between the sacred and common, and have wisdom to
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deal with that justice and integrity which God enjoined upon ancient
Israel....
Many who are elevated to the highest positions of trust in serv-
ing the public are the opposite of this. They are self-serving, and
generally indulge in the use of narcotics, and wine and strong drink.
Lawyers, jurors, senators, judges, and representative men have for-
gotten that they cannot dream themselves into a character. They are
deteriorating their powers through sinful indulgences. They stoop
from their high position to defile themselves with intemperance,
licentiousness, and every form of evil. Their powers prostituted by
vice open their path for every evil....
Intemperate men should not by vote of the people be placed
in positions of trust. Their influence corrupts others, and grave
responsibilities are involved. With brain and nerve narcotized by
tobacco and stimulus they make a law of their nature, and when
the immediate influence is gone there is a collapse. Frequently
human life is hanging in the balance; on the decision of men in these
positions of trust depends life and liberty, or bondage and despair.
How necessary that all who take part in these transactions should be
men proved, men of self-culture, men of honesty and truth, of stanch
integrity, who will spurn a bribe, who will not allow their judgment
or convictions of right to be swerved by partiality or prejudice. Thus
saith the Lord, “Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in
his cause. Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and
righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. And thou
shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the
words of the righteous.”—
The Signs of the Times, July 8, 1880
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