The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-10-31
{ OF EVANSVILLE.
Violations of the Liquor Law,

Violations of the Liquor Law
The drkining houses in this city are again
opening. An open defiance of the law is thus
thrown out and it remains to be seen whether
the friends of the law will permit it to pass
unnoticed. There is Prohibitoyy Liquor
Law now on our State statutes, That law
strictly forbids, and under heavy penalties, the
retailing of liquor within the borders OF lndl-
ana Right or wrong, it is law of the State
right or wrong, being law of the State, it
becomes every good citizen to lend it implicit
obedience so long as it remains on our statutes
and right or wrong, it is the duty of the
officers of the law, to see the law is obeyed
We are perfectly well aware of jvst how this
interference on our part will be regarded by
the liquor sellers and by many of the liquor
drinkers but if they care half as little for our
remarks as we care for their objections to them,
neither of us will be much troubled. We are
well aware too, that with many it is regarded
as greater vice to sustain law not popular
with all classes than to violate it, but long as
we hold position as public journalist; that
long shall we advocate strict obedience to laws,
though we may be opposed to one Of the very
laws for which we plead obedience. Just so
far as a man violates the laws, that far all the
customs of society, and the rules by which So
cety are held together, declare him bad citi-
zen, and just that far should he labor under the
condemnation of all good citizens. We elect
our own law makers, our own law interpre-
tiers, and the instruments for the execution of
the laws. If laws in the formation of which
every citizen has therefore voice, are to be
openly violated without punishment, there
may as well be an end to all law If citizens
are to determine for themselves, just how far
they will lend obedience to the laws and ut
terly contemn in their actions those they do
not like, and yet escape the penalties--what
are our laws worth?-what is society worth?
what value at all is there in our institutions?
Better for us to be at once under sterndespot-
ism where law, though it be severe and wick
ed, is still la,0 and order.
Now here are men in our midst openly bid
ding defiance to laW-openly sayingin the face
of this community, no matter what you think
of law and order, here is a law which conflicts
with our pockets, and with our business, and
though that business may drag men to prema-
ture graves and make homes desolate, yet not
liking the law which interferes with it, we
will not obey the law. And what is it your
duty to say to them, and saying it, to as en-
phatically endeayor to carry OUT as they are
seeking to carry out their views? Why sim
ply this-Here is a law on our statute book;
there placed BY the representatives Of the peo-
pie-whatever your opinions or your interests
are, you are called upon to lend it the obedi-
ence of good citizens. If you disobey this law,
intended as it is to lessen crime and stop an
iniquitous traffic, if you are determined you
iOiH not act the part of good citizens, yea shall
suffer hepenaHtes, and the law shall be sustain
ed so long as it is a law. If these men will
not listen to reason is the law not as efficient
in its penalties now as it was few months
ago? Are there not men in the community
who dare make the charges and ferret out and
bring up the evidence to convict these yiolat5fs
of the law? We shall see. We shall under
stand whether certain low classes backed by
the dregs Of certain party, are to defy with
impunity all law, order and decency, for the
bssest selfish motives