Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-12
Correspondence.

Mr.. Editor With your PERMISSION,
will show VINDEx that most questions
have two sides. If his article in the last
JOURNAL is a fair index of his temper
ance ideas and practice, we might sup
pose that he was q II an Of some back
bone, mau of nerve, and one, perhaps,
who acts and teaches from principle. To
such | can write, feeling, at the same
time, that my opponent is man OF
sons stamina, one who thinks, talks, and
votes as bis conscience dictates. For
such, [ must confess as reckless as | am,
| always did have the profoundest res
pect. But hypocrte, one whose robe
of church-membership, or temperance
resolves, is left at home on election day;
one who, when among temperance men,
will denounce the rum traffic as the chief
of all evils, and then vote to grant IL
cense.-such weak kneed timber backed,
and easy-yirtued men I abhor. | like
man who, in these times Of secession,
will show his colors and stand by them,
even to death. A man who processes
one thing and acts the opposite is a
worthless drone in society.
Why is it that the temperance ques-
ton is being agitated at this particular
time? If | mistake not, it would indi-
cate that the spring election was near at
hand. Did not these sane temperance
men run man for Mayor last spring
who was a thorough anti-Iiccnse man,
and was he not distanced IN fair fight
Do they presume that they can meet
with any better success now! Why
agitate and work against n measure
which places several hundred dollars in
the city treasury annually! Would it
be economy in a financial point of view!
Why did our Legislature, who were
elected by moral and religious people,
pass law authorizing each city and
town in the State to grant license to per-
sons, on the payment of a sum of mon
ey, to sell rum, unless that intelligent
and wise body were convinced that it
would be beneficial to the cities, towns,
and State at large? Can any one doubt
that we have civil and religious COM
munity in tie city of Prescotts and has
not this city voted for men, ami elected
them, time after time, who have granted
license to sell rum? As long as rum is
made it will be drank and is it not better
to sell the privilege or right to few,
thus restraining the abuse to some OK
tent, and replenishing a needy treasury?
The license law is calculated to restrain
intemperance. Would it not be better
to use moral suasion, and by that means
convince those who love rum to use it
with moderation? Do you propose to
stop the sale altogether, and by that
means destroy the vast amount of money
invested in the trade? Such a course
would almost paralyze the trade of this
city. Destroy the rum business, and the
rum-scller would have no advantage over
those who have not sold it. AS it now
stands, when farmer comes to town,
we that sell rum can take him one side
and give him little to take, and warm
him up, which is sure to secure his trade
for that day, at least, l want you to
understand that we are in favor Of tenn
perance, that is, the moderate use of liq
uor. We keep the article for sale, and
ask no one to buy, nor do we sell to any
one after he has made glutton Of him
self. l will say, in conclusion, that we
are only doing what you, the citizens of
this city. have authorized us to do, and
we profess to nothing that would be In
consistent for us to sell rum.
The OTHER SIDE.
Prescott March 10Th. 1862,