North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-04-10

discussion is by no means improbable,
however, and We take up the pen to talk
about it with as much pleasure as to de-
scribe boat-ride. Really it is getting to
be the main question Of the country, and
the man who could patent an invention
that would effectually graduate the practice
of drinking spirits would be public ben
efactor. "There's the rub" Who can
invent it! But we do not wish to suggest
anything further than we have already
published. .Etf. .1.s3tk8
Our thanks are most specially rendered
to number Of exchanges for the compli-
mentary language used in noticing the
Temperance Address which, few weeks
ago, we read and published TO McGregor
audience. The Fayetse Co. Onion, the
Elkader Journal, the New Oregon Plain
dealer, the Clermont Leader, and the Win
nesheik Register will accept bow of graf
itude for the courtesy which they have ex-
tended to us in this decidedly ne~ role Of
essaying on our part.
We copy the argument of the Register !:
The ground taken by the 7lmes that it is
easier to persuade than TO drive Americans
is correct. We have observed the opera
tons and workings Of the prohibitory liq-
uor law to the extent that We are compelled
to acknowledge disbelief in its practica-
biiity. But" says an anxious and fan
atlcai advocate of this prohibitory doctrine,
I" would you Liccsse men to do wrong here
on earth and to be damned hereafter -
No, say wei but I" between two evils.n
common sense would dictate to /" choose
the least" We have seen the utter failure
OF prohibitory system to accomplish the
desired result. Men riH sell grog and peo-
pie will use it in the face of stringent
law and in the presence Of officers whose
stcorn duty it is to enforce prohibition. We
see this every day, and every intelligent
man knows this fact. What shall we do
Make a License Law which will force a
large portion Of the dealers in rum to
abandon the traffic? or keep upon our stat
ute books law which is disregarded, void
in every sense, and impossible to enforce
This is a question which men of mind
must decide; aquestion Of vital interest to
US as o people, State and q nation.
Judge EDxoNDs, of the Clermont Leader,
had written two-column outside article
for his paper prior to the reception Of our
TINES: we read that article with great
deal of interest and admit the argumentative
force of many of its points. Its general
drift is embodied by constant Reader"
in last weeks issue of this paper, i. 9.
D6rmake no laws Mt all unless you aro
sure of their effectiveness radicalize to
the extent of perfection in result or you
fall short Of protecting society! Several
years ago there was man named DRAcc,
known to the elder students of history
we think he was a Grecian-Draco made
death penalties for all violations of legal
or social order; he thus cultivated dis
position to revolt at cruelty and handed his
name down to infamy, where it will forever
remain.
The Judge properly observes:
The great evil Of intemperance is not
the injury of health, but the mental and
moral degradation, the poverty and crime
which it causes.
This is fact beyond dispute, and if the
small streams which tend to this degrade
ton can be dried up by license, why not cut
of those sources which are known to be
conducive to much the larger share Of this
" mental and moral degradation, the pow
erty and crime which it causes? ?"
In referring to the present liquor i'm
broglio in Boston he says:
The committee have examined the most
eminent scholars, divines, physicians, and
scientific men of New England, and the
general tenor of their opinions is, that such
laws do no good but ON the contrary,
much harm that they demoralize public
sentiment, cause perjury, hypocrisy, and
q general adulteration Of liquors; and that
the laws cannot be enforced. The current
Of the medical testimony is that alcoholic
liquors are not poison, and that under
some circumstances their moderate use is
beneficial.
This is a full admission of the situa-
tion," and it tells loud story against
continuance of the imperative system.
The Leader parties it sdriotly, but we
think not conclusively. One actual DEM
onstration is worth half dozen theories,
and here demonstration is admitted. Is
IT NOT so EVERYWHERE? We are not par
tial to this discussion, though the interest
recently taken in it hereabouts prompts us
to furnish something for weekly perusal.
Let Us conclude by copying from the
Leader nice reference to our poor effort
before the public: we would not quote it,
but so much has been said heretofore about
the habits y of one of the editors of this
paper (''that's ns'') that it is excusable,
perhaps, to prove, in newspaper court, that
l can rritc soberly at least.
The last issue of the N. l. T.ses con-
tains an ably written temperance lecture
by one of its editors, Col. A. p. Richard
son. 1t may appear strange to good many
that man who il known to " smile &C.
casionally, should lecture on temperance
we confess to have been little startled
ourself-and yet it should not appear
strange. If the only advocates Of right
were those who are perfect in their daily
walk and conversation, the right would
have few advocates. Very few in practice
come up to their ideal standard of right.
There is good deal of truth in the lee
turcrs assertion that those who sell liquor
are more generous toward public enterprise
than the strict and rigid opponents Of
spirituous indulgence but it should be re-
membered, says the lecturer, that there is
an under-current Of selfishness in their acts
which il not commendable. They who OBJ
serve the rule of ethics, which requires a
man to be just before he is generous will
often be unable to exhibit the latter virtue
when tho less conscientious are making a
l:.nl.w &c What octo. oil - on1v q anu,