Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1855-03-07
Tho Prohibitory Liquor Law.

The late Legislature passed an "Act for the
Suppression Of Intemrerauce," which is TO
be submitted to the voice Of the people at our
April election. Many Of the friends OF the
measure. generally those Of opposite political
views to our own. seem to think that the Press,
particu arly the Democratic Press, is under
some sort OF an obligation to take decided
stand for or against. its provisions but We
are really unable to perceive why purely po.
li,ical organ 10 under any necessity OF showing
its colors, upon what We have been so vehe
hemently informed, in recent campaigns, is
merely a moral issue. We will not bubble
about it, however, and il our friends or enemies
would learn our position, We have no objection
to stating that fan from being hostile to the
Law, we are disposed to favor it, shall vote for
it and hope il uia carry
Our rea7ons are these the erpedieney of the
measure is at bes, but doubtful, and trial alone
can settle this uncertainty. fit possesses vir.
tues and merits, calculated to mitigate the hor.
rors Of in,emperance. it's practical success will
prove 10 all, q source Of qualification to the
skeptic, a source OF surprise. If unconsti.
,utioual in any OF it's provisions. we have a
tribunal whose business it will be to pass dc
cision accordingly.
II it's merits are found but trivial or it's pom.
derous provisions clumsy and ineffective snd
it's design impraclicable community 10 not
sensibly injured and the abortive engine of re
form, is thrown aside to decay, as crumbling
memorial of legislative shortsigh:cdness a
convincing proof Of its injudieious policy and
inadequate powers. From our observation OF
other liquor laws, we predict the latter result
and that the law will be bu. spasmodically en-
forced. 10 here and there locality. and finally
become dead letter upon the Statute. This
can never occur. however, if the provisions are
tound to be generally agreeable to public sen.
timent, and an efficient sgency in public re-
form.
Again, and we here invite the especial a..
tention Of our Democratic friends by the ad.
option Of this measure, rhaterer it's nerits may
be-, our party will thus lie rid at once and in
the only possible way, OF a source of Intestine
discord and hostile coali ion that Yields dis
tracing influence over it's efficien. organiza.
tion. 1t will no longer be an ism to confuse the
ranks Of either political party: it will no longer
be an issue, before which to make al, other con-
side. atoms but secondary:no longer the chimera
after which to chase. to the abandonment Of
principle and party no longer the test and only
test disqualification for1igh Office: longer the
rock upon which to split our support of states.
mauship, 10 the exalta.on Of mediocri!y and
who, that retains pride Of party, beleaguered
as We are by hostile factions of every shade
and character, would hesitate to adopt salu.
,.ary and protective step.. provided it involved
no detriment to public interests, bui is set in
motion. with the single purpose. Of advancing
public good and the cause OF humanity
On the contrary. il the Ae. 10 rejected even
BY considerable majority, it's ardent friends
will still prolong the cry of"Agitation, J" with
similar results, until another. and another, and
q successful attempt is made.