North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-04-03

Lectures.
did not expect the subject of Tempe
rance would be N. Y. Ledger-ized by
in the TINES, but it seems to
be unavoidable. In the Ne,cs of last week
there is an invitation to o. McCraney to
lecture in favor of Prohibition, because
the Address of A. P. Richardson did not
the views of the Temperance men
Of this city McCraney consents to sup
port the prohibitory idea, and on Monday
evening next he will deliver An address at
the Brick Church. The request is sign.
ed by number Of citizens, among whom
arc Messrs. Bally, Grant, Calkins, and
others. The proceeds of the lecture will
be devoted to the poor fund. We under
stood that Hon. D. Hammer would reply,
extemporaneously, but his business engage
ments positively prevent.
In accepting my proposition to prite an
Address ON Temperance (Mr. McCraney
agreeing to read it for me) those at the
head of the Relief snovemcnt knew l was
in favor Of License Law. BY their &C.
ceptance they guaranteed me immunity
from personal censure, at least-I am not
fearful Of argumentative criticism. sta
ted the antiquity of "the abis"-notori-
ously and historically incontrovertible-
its universal prevalsnce-of itseyil effects,
and l endeavored to prove by testimony
supposed TO be adverse to my o,cn desires,
that radical probibitory Legislation had
thus far been non-eHeetive. I did not
quite please liquor-sellers, nor did l ex-
empt the mass Of mankind from ordinary
selishness. 1t was q lecture for thu poor,
and what else could it be but "poor"
lecture?
/ am in receipt of . communication ex-
oepting to anti-prohibitory opinions. The
first few sentences carry with them spice
Of personal reflection - good-naturedly
mixed-but as they are not german to the
general subject they are omitted. Person.
alities would not be profitable in this little
controversy. If space and time permitted
it would be an easy task-a pleasure even
to show our correspondent that he
proves entirely too much, but for the pres
emit let it pass. We give the argumenta-
tive part of the communication in doing
so we do not wish to destroy the interest
of Mr.. McCraney's lecture. If men and
women can be made moral by legislation
it is certainly cheap mode, but if prohi-
ton seems to have failed las our friend
admits) in capital crimes, is it not folly to
introduce "the remedy in smaller cases
of moral dereliction? Castles in the air,
both of a financial and moral character,
look pretty, but to reach them is another
hing. One grain of the practical is worth
abushel of the ideal. Hoping for LOAF
of bread cheers the heart for time, but
the loaf itself is what gives strength to
the system. You can give strength to pub
lie morals from strict license law You
hare no, yet obtained that thing on the green
earth by =" Prohibition"
! do not wish in this matter to be OBJ
stinate, to sustain prejudice or to win the
good opinion Of men who are almost uni.
versally ashamed of their "trade," but it
is written with that sincere belief which
observation Il think has taught me, that
restraint will be more effectual than an
effort to 0bliterate. / ask a small credit
not for ability, but for the sincerest SINGER.
ity on this very important question: those
who do not choose to accord it can "pitch
in" APR.
Here is the essential part of our cores
pondent's article:
II was particularly struck with the ar.
gument in favor Of license law, which is
simply this: that liquor is of very ancient
origin, and Notwithstanding the fulmina.
tons and prohibitions of law, both Divine
and civil, the use and sale of it has in
creased to immense magnitude, and there
fore it cannot be stopped So, consequent
ly, a compromise had better be made and
license some good moral men, who can give
good recommendations, to sell the vile
stuff to fools who have more loose ten cent
scrip than they can control, and thus &c,
a small fund towards supporting liquor.
made paupers and tax the people for the
balance.
This may be the better way, and it hat
given rise in my >sAsAao 70 Q question
whether some more compromises had no
better be made. There is the "Socia
Evil" the result of unbridled passion
which is in some persons nature. There
has been combined opposition to it fo'
thousands of years. Divine law, coupled
with natural law, has prohibited it, and
the punishment has been perhaps more Sc
we're than for any other infraction, for il
addition to lifelong sentences it has beer
extended from father to son, sometimes tt
three generations, for the crime of thu
first. Civil law has added the weight O.
its prohibition in heavy punishments, and
the social law has often inflicted summary
vengeance, which all decisions Of civil Law
have confirmed. Yet this thipg has lived
increased and grown to greater magnitude
than ever before would it not'be better tt
license it? Allow such as can give re
spectacle references, to open bagnios, pub
licly, under the protection of county Ii
cense, and thus legalize the crime. True
families may be lacerated, good, sount
men and women may be scarce, and thu
whole race of men be dwarfed and enfee
bled; but what is the use Of law prohib
iting thing you can't PREVENT
Murder is an awful thing, syet it com