The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-07-06
For the Palladium

For the faiiadlum
Mr.. Editor-The little query sent
you last week, asking why prominent
temperance men do not assist the officers
in trying to put down the liquor traffic,
if they are so sanguine that law will do
it, seems to have aroused 'Veritas' to
an over. exercise of his thinking apara-
tus, that may weaken his physical frame
by the straining he has undergone! His
idea is, that, society, having employed
a FEW individuals. to care for its inter-
ests, and paid them well for it. therefore
these guardians are expected by their
employers to keep every thing straight,
and ward off every evil, and especially
thoee flowing from the liquor traffic. IT.
he says (no doubt designing to clinch
his argument) the number chosen be not
enough, it is increased, and society pays
the bill for the work it does not expect
itself to do, and cannot dc! This. GER
tainly, is one of the ways to suppress
an acknowledged monster evil the rea
ders Of the Telegram have read about!
have always been taught to believe that
the law that was backed-up by public
sentiment, and received the countenance
and encouragement ofthe people, always
proved efficacious and was always sure
. W U0 eElOICcu, W uCA CAO ACSCloC woo al
ways the case if the people failed to
interest themselves in its enforcement.
can imagine good, easy Mr.. Veri-
tas going home late at night, and that
he sees a neighbor house in third ward
being set on fire by an incendiary-or
neighbours store or house entered by
burglar; by raising the alarm, he might
by his assistance given to Maj. Lacey,
Jo Fleming, or other police officers. Sc
cure the scoundrels snd save his neigh
boris property. But that isn't just the
thing for Mr.. Veritas that would place
him, as one of 'society's' members in
the low and terribly degrading attitude
of spy! Why, says he, society has
deemed il best to select a few and
charge them with the protection of the
interests of society," I'll not compro>
mise my dignity by interfering; for has
not the City Council selected a Chief of.
Police and ga few" Policemen to attend
to these violators of law! If there isn't
enough Policemen, let the Council in
crease the number-and-[g gaping and
stretehing]-Ill-go home-and-go-
to-sleep!'
The consequence of Mr. VS. red
tape action, in this imaginary instance,
results in the destruction of his nei Oh
bor's house, and the theft of his neigh
boris goods, but, through him, society
preserves its reputation!-the imputa-
ton of s'spy' cannot attach to ''socie-
ty'' on bis account mo indeed.
Mr. Editor, have tried to illustrate
the meaning of my query. you were so
good as to publish last week, and l
again urge every temperance man, who
NAV have a full or only partial belief
in the efficacy OF law 20 suppress or nit
igate the evils flowing from the liquor
traffic, TO assist the officers in every way
that cosnmon sense and honesty of pur
pose points out to be TO the TRUE inter
est Of and protection to SOCIETY, in
furnishing all who violate the law under
which they secure the fright to dole
trouble, sin, shame, crime, misery, ruin
to the body here, and damnation to the
soul hereafter. Back up your officers
and you can do this thoro'ly without
acting the role Of the spy around the
doygeries.' l exhort you to show your
faith in the laws power, 'by works
FACT.