The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-10-18
ADDRESS

the application made by the sage who ut
tered it, but is the embodiment of a grea
principle never to be lost sight of by ths
true friends of progress. No more suit
able motto can the friends of temperance
employ to give inspiration TO their efforts
10 the vocabulary of Bacchus it has
long held 8 prominent place, and as a
practical axiom, has been so constantly
and ingenIoHsly used that the foes of al
cohol have often failed in their attempts
to pierce the enemy's line. And it is not
strange that such failure has sometimes
been experienced. A gigantic evil, like
the liquor traffic, roofing SO rdeep-
" and tirmly 10 the cupidiiy and lusts of
human nature is, able to erect for its pro-
lection the most formidable intrench-
ments.
It should not surprise US, in view of
the supposed interest involved, if, after
spikiDg some Of his heaviest guns, the
enemy should open new and masked bat
teries upon the temperance army, with
such celebrity as sometimes to throw it into
confusion, and cast doubt over the ques-
ton whether the frowning Sumter of the
liquor coniederacy can ever be taken.
But most of all have we suffered from
compromise, coWardice and desertion in
our own ranks.
This has often led to disgraceful arm
istice, always to the advantage of the en-
envy and disastrous TO ourselves.
But though often discouraged. some
times almost on the verge of despair, yet,
trusting in the eternal right and Omuipo,
tence of truth, which, by the practical
application of our motto, will become
effective, We may advance, RoUT. CON,
aUERl
Ksnsans, above all others in any cause
of right. may loudly proclaim, "There is
no such a word as failI'' If single handed
and alone, with no other than moral sup
port, Spartan they held at bay the en-,
ragged and sworn enemies of their civil
rights and liberties, who were backed by
an institution that had for generations
dictated the policy of the General Gov
eminent, then for moment they should
never shrink from this contest nor fear for
it's result.
Buff We would maintain our proud
reputation, if We would march on to GER
tain victory, We must watch and resist eV-
cry effort, both of our determined foes
and misguided friends, to distract and di-
vide our ranks.
We must wisely turn to our advantage
any of the peculiar incidents of the times,
which are liable to be used as a make
weight in the scale against US. Especial
ly must we expose the subtle sophisms
put forth by the Swans of the rum craft,
which are being echoed and reiterated
with every roll of the tOddy-stick, through
all the liquor saloons of the land, and are
deceiVing many.
The idea that alcohol, in any of it's
forms, is demanded by the human sys-
tenn, in a healthful condition, has long
since been proved absurd, by both obser-
walton aud medical science; many doubt
whether it is ever necessary. The prop
osition so long urged, sometimes by the
timid friends Of temperance even, that
''sUPTUARY LAWS" cannot be sustained,
has nearly spent itself, but in some To-
calities may need to be openly tested in
the crucibls of Judicial experience and
history.
The grand rallying cry of this great
army, bearing as it's true ensign the cross
bones aud skull, to-day, is the REVENUE
ARGUMENT.
1t assumes about this form, viz: "The
license of the making and vending of in
toxicating liquors is financial necessity,
to prevent excessive taxation for the sup
port cf the general governments" But
this argument proves too much, and is
calculated to start queries which this class
of political enconomists may not wish to
pursue.
The report Of the Commissioners of In
ternal Revenue for the last year, shows
that the annual income from this source
was nearly thirty-four millions FIVE hun
dred thousand dollarsl 1854, 500, OooD
A larger sum by far than was produced
by any other branch of business.
It would have been much larger had
not the men engaged in it sWiadled the
Government. 1t is notorious that the
officers of the Revenue Department have
detected more frauds in the whisky fra
ternity than among all other classes who
contribute to the national income. Sig
nIhcant index, this, of the character of
such men aud their callingl Given, how
much the Treasury of the United States,
or Of any city OF township derives from
such asoarce, and you have a gauge to
measure the evil and crime, which placed
IN the Opposite scale, will cause the item
Of revenue with all its seeming sdVauta-
gss to kick the beam, as mou ntain would
send up mole hill. By this instrument
you may know how much the intellect Of
the nation has been weakened, its proper
ty wasted, iGs conscience debauched, and
its vitality sspped; how many paapers
and criminals have been made, and the
amount of tax increased thereby; the mum
Der Of wives made widows; children or
phans; youth seduced; moderate drinkers
manufactured, and drunkards sent to
ruin!
And yet there are untold sorrows,
pangs and woes in domestic and social
life. from the self same cause, which de-
fly ali computation. Will men confront
all these facts and fruits and still clamor
for WHISKY REvEEUEs
Let neither selfish, timid, nor bypar-
cautious politicians longer restrain the
political action of the people, through
fear that it viii damage the party. or I'M
portant public measures.
This policy rulsd duriv,oe a.. La -