More than one man has been hanged for doing what he did not mean to do. When anyone under the influence of liquor commits a crime it is no longer an extenuation or defense to say that he was not responsible. This is so because it is a matter of human experience that if one sets a match to gunpowder it will explode and if one pours liquor down his throat he is filling his brain with the seeds of malice, hate and murder. Many a man has scoffed at such a statement at twelve o’clock at night, but has seen awful proof of its truth, when, awakening at nine in the morning he recovers from a fatal debauch and sees the work of his own drunken and murderous hand. At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. _Prov. 23:32._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. A NIGHT’S WORK.] [Illustration] UNDER THE CLOAK OF THE LAW. Concerning the work of the saloon there is but one verdict which can be rendered by intelligence and patriotism. Ten thousand times ten thousand times it has been brought before the bar of Justice and there charged and proved with being responsible for the vast majority of poverty, crime and disease which infest the race. Nevertheless, so deeply is this blighting curse intrenched in our laws and government that our courts are compelled, even if unwilling, to protect a traffic which by common agreement is a universal bane. Knowing this, the saloonist seeks refuge under the cloak of the law, and there insolently defies us to assail him. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. _Prov. 17:14._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. UNDER THE CLOAK OF THE LAW.] [Illustration] SPIKE THAT GUN! “Spike that gun,” was an order bravely executed by a young English officer and his command, at the battle of Inkerman, which gallant feat probably decided the fate of the day. Satan has planted his batteries for the destruction of the American home, and from every saloon in the land the wicked bombardment goes on, day and night, year after year, and every hour of every day some new house is sighted for destruction. Shall this cruel and desolating fire upon the American home forever continue? God forbid! “Spike that gun!” is the word of command that has gone forth to the great temperance host. “Spike that gun!” is the shout that rings out all along the lines of the great home protection army as they rush to the final charge. “Spike that gun!” shall be our battle cry until the last battery of hell has been silenced and every home in our land is safe from this desolating fire. “Spike quickly that gun,” is the word of command, It is battering down the homes of our land, Its work of destruction will lose us the day, If no one the order to spike it obey. [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. SPIKE THAT GUN.] [Illustration]