Freeman's champion., 1858-08-26
The Liquor Traffic.

streets. We had hoped, for the sake
Of preserving the good reputation of
our town, to never be compelled to
mention that drunkenness was ever
witnessed here; but forbearance has
long since ceased to be a virtue, and
it is now our imperative duty, and
that of every other person interested
in the prosperity, honor and reputa-
tion of Prairie City, to work in the
best manner to rid our community Of
the evil that causes this deplorable
state Of things.
Liquor-selling has been tolerated
altogether too long. upwards Of
eighteen months ago the Prairie City
Association, with view of discour-
aging the traffic in Intoxicating Ii
quors, inserted clause in their Con-
stitution prohibiting the Trustees Of
the town from making out deeds for
lots on which liquor had been sold,
which was done as much for the
moral effect it would have, as for any
other purpose. However, some Of
our merchants, at that time, were
engaged ii. the traffic, alleging, as
they did, that they "kept good whole-
some liquor on hand strictly for medi-
cinal and mechanical purposes % and
the good nature Of our people was
suffered to be imposed upon enough
to tolerate its sale on this plea, and
the consequence was, our tolerating
spirit, having been exercised upon a
little too severely in one instance,
was pressed into further elasticity,
and finally liquor was and is now
being brought in here and sold for
purposes Of a somewhat different ma
ture. This traffic is being conducted
in our midst against the wishes Of
-tenths of the people of this COM
munity for we know, and have often
heard the fact remarked by strangers,
that the temperance sentiment is
commercially prevalent here, and we
need only point to the vote in this
township on the dram shop question
at the last October election, to sus-
tain this assertion. Out Of about
two hundred and fifty votes which
were polled on that occasion, less
than dozen were recorded in favor
of dram shops, Now, if for no other
reason than to respect the sentiments
of the people of the township, the
sale Of liquor ought to be prohibited
butthis is Of insignificant considera'
ton in comparison to other reasons
which may be urged against the
traffic. 1t is for our moral, social
and pecuniary interests, that we
should discountenance the business
No one is safe from the a!lurementt
of Alcohols potent charms where
tho hydra-monster holds undisputec
sway, and many young man, un
fortunately within its embrace, who
would gladly release himself from iti
calling fetters were it within hi
power, is compelled, with repugnance
10 all his noble feelings and his con
conscience, to succumb to its power
where it prevails, and this is likewise
the case with many old dram drink
ers. They would feel rejoiced to b.
free. from its influences, and they alb
solutely at heart detest the people
who encourage its existence, but theil
apetites absorb their moral courage
and they cannot help asSociating with
Alcohol's trafickers and abettorS with
apparent friendliness. With the
tempter out Of the way they would be
safe. In behalf Of that class Of indi-
viduals the friends Of humanity
should put down the traffic. And
boys and young men, who have never
yet tainted their lips with the touch
Of the rum cup, frequently inhabit
the tippling house for tho sociabiIity
which usually prevails there, and
with the corupting Influences which
there surround them, in an unguarded