Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-11-18
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IlCs
Thomas Shepperd. who was, a few
years ago an acceptable member Of the
Methodist Church in this place, and an
Industrious and useful mechanic, has
abandoned his family, leaving them in a
most destitutc situation. This is but
one Of many evils resulting from the
traffic in intoxicating liquor. And now
shall we be silent as to this cursel To
US il seems but yesterday that he led TO
the altar one Of the most omiable and
lovely, girls Of our town. Few young
men were more promising, and for sea-
son, few were more prosperous. But
the destroyer came. We will not at
tempt his history. But we will say that
had the midnight assassin plunged his
knife to his heart, while yet he was I'M
polluted by drunkenness and ere his
wife had wept those bitter tears that at
one time deprived her entirely Of her
reson, he would have conferred favor
upon the family and friends.
On our first page is brief account OF
most horrid murder committed in LOU
isville, on the person Of the amiable
Butler. One paper reporting the details,
saws, that Us Butler fell he exclaimed,
"I'm killed, o, my poor wife and chill
dren.' In death he remembered and
loved them, and we know enough Of
woman's love to know, that there is a
rich legacy in that short sentence.
But the Liquor seller not only MUIR
ders his victim, but, before the final
blow, he worse than kills him. He first
destroys the affections Of the husband
and father, and sends him either to abuse
or abandon the objects Of his earlier love.
And yet all this is tolerated in our Chris
tian country. Nay more, II is licensed.
Men Of good moral character-what lie!
men, certified to have a good moral
character, are specially permitted to do
this work OF death. Worse still: men
who have pledged themselves most SOL
EMMY before God and man to protect
brothers wife will 90 on the bond Of
such men, and thus give them some re-
spectablity, when they know that moth
ing but ruin can follow in the train OF
liquor selling. And yet worse. There
is npon the bond Of some Of our liquor
sellers, at least one man who is in good
standing in Christian Church.
But we did not design to say this much
when we began, though we feel now
that we have scarcely begun to speak.
Does any one ask why not prosecute
the liquor sellersl Such question is
insulting. There Is an organization
here in which $500 could be raised in
two hours IL any good could be done by
il. The makers Of our laws never in
tended that It should restrain the traffic.
Nor does il matter whit, so far as we
have seen, whether licenses are granted
or not. Except for the moral force Of a
no license vote, there is no advantage
derived from Il.
But-shall Il always be sol Our judy
ment says mol Our hope says mol
Our love Of country says mol Our abb
ding faith in the God Of the widow, and
the Protector OF the fatherless says no.
mol! no.!! And II we mistake not, the
sovereign people, when they meet at
the ballot box next October will say NO
In terms that will be heard and obeyed'
We cannot believe that the free voters
Of Indiana will be led by that party that
opposes the best interests Of the State
in opposing law that will protect the
wives ind children of the land.