Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-08-25

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neglected and destitute families--and from
whom has not the tear of Sympathy been wrung
as he has entered the abodes Of poverty and az
Fiction?
And what, let me ask, is the cause Of this
disorder, cruelty, poverty and misery2 Nine
cases out of every ten Of them, dare say, are
brought about by the use of intoxicating drinks
Ten years ago was acquainted, perhaps,
with every man in the then torn of Hannibal
Among them were many noble spirits, with
whom enjoyed friendly and pleasant inter
course. look around me tonight, and see but
few of that cherished band. Where are they ?
Some that were driving lucrative business,
surrounded by happy and lovely families, are
now bankrupts, and others, stung by the same
accursed "worm of the STILL" now sleep in the
drunkard's grave l knew some of them well.
They were noble and generous men, and when,
by the ruthless spirit of alcohol, they were torn
from their sorrow.stricken families and friends,
sad, chilling vacuum was created, which
pains the soul of the philanthropist TO behold,
and which can never never again be filled.
We say that large proportion Of this dis
order and vice, poverty and ailliction-this in
dividual, social and political loss and suffering
is attributable TO the use of spirituous liquors.
"Oh," says one, /" these establishments are
disadvantage to Hannibal, but am not TO
blame for it l can't help it,"
Not so fast, my good friend; it is your fault,
because you can help ii. Do you ask me how !?
| answer, by cooperating with us, and using
your influence TO procure the passage of an or
dinance which shall prohibit the sale of spirit
uous liquors in the city Of Hannibal, and voting
for such men as will faithfully and rigidly en-
force such an ordinance, if elected.
1t has been said that we have a secret docu.
ment, which we require the candidates TO sub
scribe but this is not true. We are ready to
submit our most secret regulation TO all the
world.
am not member of any secret society my
self, nor do | expect ever to be.
IT'S true we are acting upon one grand idea
Gas the political parties do upon platform of
and that grand idea is the prohibit
ton Of the sale of spiriuous liquors in the city
in accordance with the existing law upon the
subject; and we shall expect, of course, that
every candidate will endorse this platform
What is there wrong in this?
But, it has been said, we have "no right to
pass such an ordinance and that the Legislature
had no right TO grant us the power; that a man
10, 10 ,,.l.t lo IL, IL;
own"
answer, that the Legislature had the right
o grant The city authority TO protect the rights
IF al! her citizens.
No man has the right to rob my brother Of
his innocency, his health and his fortune, and
o pay him poverty, disgrace and death in re-
urn. No man has the right TO rob his wife and
children of his love and protection, and the city
and country of his valuable services and upright
example. No man has the right to burn his
own house down, if by SO doing he may ieop-
lrdize the property Of another. And if his own
sense 0! propriety will nat do it, the laws of
our land should protect the community from the
reckless course Of the man who pursues a call
ing merely for the sake of money which does
infinitely more harm than good to the commu-
nifty in which he lives.
But again, it has been said, that {" if we stop
these rectilying establishments we will impo-
verish those who are engaged in the business,
and beggar their families"
| have too much confidence in their good
sense to believe they originated this objection.
VIII any one say TO me that these men have
only sense enough to stew, TO boil, TO strain, TO
barrel and sell whisky? that they are simple
tons upon all other subjects, and are not men
enough to compete with our other citizens in a
thousand useful, profitable and honorable en-
Payments Such an imputatiOn is a foul SLAM
der upon as sprightly and competent men as our
city affords.
And what are the great benefits conferred
upon our city by these liquor-selling establish
ments, that are TO counterbalance and compen-
safe for all the unhappy effects which they oc-
cusion?
know Of no benefit they are to Hannibal,
Yes, there is one advantage they are TO our city.
/ must not forget that, as 1t " the only one
ever heard claimed for them. Render to all
their DUE is an oracle from heaven. there
fore freely admit that they swell the receipts of
our city treasury, by paying directly, in the
shape of licenses, about 5000, and indHeciLy, in
the shape Of fines, perhaps as much per year.
So that, if these establishments do bclch forth a
herd Of bowling desperadoes, to prowl our
streets by night; if they do convert few kind
and prOvident fathers into prohgate and abusive