Carry Nation's misguided motives led to violence

Whether you're a teetotaler, a casual drinker, or a tippler, you probably agree that marching into a saloon with a hatchet and destroying the inventory is not the best strategy for ridding a community of strong drink.

Carry A. Nation believed strongly in the hatchet approach. At the end of the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th Century, that was her literal plan of attack. 

Her newsletter was called “The Smasher's Mail.” Her first husband, a physician, was an alcoholic who died two years after they married. She was living in Kansas in the small town of Medicine Lodge near the Oklahoma line when she began her crusade. She started in Medicine Lodge, but she went on to the cities of Wichita and Topeka and then on to other states.

Nation initially used softer approaches, including personal persuasion with saloon owners. When this was not effective, she escalated her efforts by conducting unasked-for prayer meetings on the premises. When prayer did not stop the flow of liquor, she used such implements as stones and bricks wrapped in newspaper and an iron rod strapped to her cane. She sold pewter hatchet pins to pay her way out of jail where she was frequently sent.

“Mother Nation,” as she came to be known, rallied many women to her cause through the Women’s Christian Temperance League, though not all members of the national WCTU endorsed her violence. She led local WCTU members in closing seven saloons, using non-violent actions before she resorted to more drastic measures.

Her second husband, David Nation, was a lawyer, minister, and editor. They lived together 14 years, but they divorced after her crusades turned violent. 

Nation also rallied women in the interest of voting rights. With women in the state, she lobbied the Kansas legislature, telling them, "You refused me the vote and I had to use a rock." They responded by passing the first significant temperance legislation in almost 15 years. 

The exact date when Nation started her hatchet work is in debate, along with the town where she trashed the first saloon. One source places it in Medicine Lodge on this date, December 27, in 1889; another exactly a year later in Wichita. Even so, there is no debate about her actions.

We admire Nation’s spunk, but her actions are Exhibit A in showing that the end does not justify the means. In the season of the birth of the Prince of Peace, we know he rarely used physical force, usually preferring a reasoned, loving approach.

A Verse for Today

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of ll” (Romans 12:17).

Each day through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, inspirational thoughts will appear, in keeping with Christmas and New Year’s Day.  These are from my book, Reflections for the Festive Seasons.  © 2002.  All rights reserved.