The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-05-20
The Liquor Traffic.

- - Il \
Our brief remarks last week on the
subject of licensing dramshop caused |
some futering. While we do not wish |
to do, harm to any one or to wound The |
feelings of any in this matter. we DO
desire and intend to speak plainly-toI
give the truth - it is. hoping tlAt i'll
will hit wherever it belongs. and MAKE
all our citizen think; and. if possible.
think right. re e'@ no 4
No man who regards truth or. the
interests sf society will contend s.hat
the selling of Intoxicating liquors is
right. In this day of light no man
who has any, regard for his reputation
will defend the esil. II is universally
acknowledged to be wrong. The whole
question resolves itself at once into this
shape: Has any man right 10 do
~ronge Here. again. every one will
answer no at once and unhcsitatingly.
Then comes another inquiry, which il
seem almost prepos.erous to ask, and
yet il needs to be asked. strange as it
may appear: Has any man or set Of
men a right to license another to do
wrongs Every one must respond with
an emphatic no. What then?
II is said the evil exist, and uiH exist.
Friend. that is begging the question at
the start. Will it exist if you and
every other man frowns upon and OPP
poses i.? Certainly not. Why does
it exist at all. then? Because you and
others have Helped it to exit If the
opposition of every man viii end the
evil. then every man who joins the op
position brings the end Of the wrong
just as much nearer as his influence
goes; while every sne who upholds it.
puts away the end of the evil by the
amount of his influence. Hii9
These are plain and self-eviden, pro-
positions; and it places the responsible
lity Of the continuance of this huge
and devastating evil just where it be-
longs. on the shoulders Of those who
give aid, comfort snd countenance to
the crime.
We might leave, the subject here, but
We wish 10 admonish our readers in
The spirit Of season and kindness. and
awaken a proper feeling in the public
mind onihe subject. Cool men are
sometimes led into erroneous views OF
matters. when they desire to do that
which is right and for the best. lie.
US reason together"
Take away from the liquor traffic all
responsibility, and it will soon die. 1.
is the counsenance, directly or Indirect
ly. Of good citizens, which sustains the
evil. 7ke name of one respectable man
or irfuential citizen on petition for a
dram shop. wiU do more to Sustain the
traffic than the names Of forty drunk
ardso or d;ssipoted men. We were told
the other day that Mr.. -'s name was
on the petition for dram shop. and
he Was prominent Temperance mani
Look att See how far one mans in
fluence goes This one name was re.
garded more than thirty others who
were known to favor the traffic.. What
Wills such Temperance (e) men have ,c
answer for +? Heaven saveus from the
weight Of responsibility they carry.
Licensing dram shop gives respecta
bili,y to the crime Of selling liquor
This history has proved. The dram
seller. takes refuge behind legality. and
makes all the people responsible for hi.
wickedness. Make the calling disre
pu,ab!e, and as already stated. it viii
cease 10 be followed r %
: Blu, liquor viii be drank anyhow
1t may be BY old iopers; but If scornet
by y.all orderly and good men, it vii
soon be drank only in ldsrkness. if a
all. Drive it into the shades Of mid
night BY just and righteous course
and in q little Time il, will cease. Bu
even il there is no hops for the confirm
ed inebris.e or dran-drinker. s.ill there
IS lope Of saving those who have no
tet formed the habit Of drinking. bu
who wiz be sxposed soishs danger il
,i,e traffic is legalized. And this be-
comes double duty. sincei, will NO
enIy save tho yonth Of the land, bu
take, from the dramseller Of the mex
generation the potent argument BY
rl.iei. hssnow hopes 10 conquer-tl,a'
Eqaor win be sid and drank any how
If,ever the sale is stopped. il n,nst b
by saving she young from the curse.
Some say they do not fear for fisil
children. This is saying much; for !
is we'll kno~o q that chitFen Of the fines