The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-12-06
CorupuIsorY Morality

We hear the epithet compulsory morality
affixed with a sheer to orr ProhIo'bory Liquor
Law. The whisky men say. - gu eAn not
make men reform their morals by tieing them,
BIZ claiming them 10 cold water. or 10 any
other good thing. They must 90 voluntarily"
Such statement would do were il not counter
to all experience Prohibition is a preventive,
which is mightier agent than remedy So
ciety Is preserved pure, youth IS not eontsmi-
mated, femal- innocence Is not bCuta.ized, the
mean 81 culture and refinement are not .9uan-
dered. hope IS not blasted, nor character weak
enei By prohibition. The youth becomes a
vigorous, sober, intellectual man; he does not
prefer his swirl to his soul, his drunken dream
to active, earnest thinking.
The law wisely says that no man shall
pour GU, f,;h whose fumes shall damage his
nei,hbor. that he shall keep clean his own
premises. Wha. is the effect OF this compul
sorv cleanliness IL cities here such regulations
are enforced Why of course good heal h
and good order. comparatively How IS il
in country where the roads are, under the
law, thoroughly improved by the people?
The farms are better improved, more produc
tive. moro beautiful an Improvement in one
thing bege;s it III another
Cleanliness of person Is Intimately connec-
ted with purity 81 character As men and
nations rise from filth they rise II dignity.
As they divest themselves OF british habits
in eating. drinking, s.eeping and dwelling.
they put on noble habits of thinking. acting,
talking and feeling. They become, from saw
age. supers;i ious. feroclous beings, patriotic,
loving. gentle, religious men. And they do
this, not because they are not compelled to
become so. but Just because they are compelled
Men are the creatures of circumstances. Give
md
not go far wrong
The doctrine Of the enemies of compulsory
morality. Of legal suasion, would blow out
all the lights Of experience and leave the
wayfsrcr to choose his path in tie dark for fear
he could not do it independently and freely.
If he bad lamp TO guide him. Our doctrine
is set up lights everywhere; send out guides;
build up walls around the pitfalls; tear down
the snares, DESTROY them utterly, contscate the
tempter's tools; clear the way for at least the
next generation, while you save rs many OF
this As YOU can. II you can drive men from
the bri, of ruin by the flaming sword Of law,
for Heavens sake do it, You are well Paid
if you save them Don't sand off and mock
when your neighbor IS rushing down,
when your father is topping on the verge.
when your son IS swinging out over the wild
abyss. Don't ask for liberty TO stab your
own peace, TO sbregate the law that would
chain the Destroyer.
Else abolish your punishment for ali crimes.
Compulsory morality should be stripped from
theft. arson. rape, murder. treason Let them
all run free. The prison wall will not make
them innocent, the rope will not purify them.
the grave will not hide their shame. True
enough But who denies the efficiency OF
the most particular enforcement of the Grim
inal code in purifying society? 1t does clear
the atmosphere. it does elevate it, it does re-
form. So let it be with liquor, make 1t the
companion Of the felon. of infamy, and while
SO it cannot injure.-Indianapol' Republican