The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-01-08
CORRESI O.NDENC'E.
.AY, JANUARY 8. 1870.

CORREiSI ONDELN %.
Mr. EprToR AS items ofloco news
seem to be rather scarce, perhaps your read
ers would like to hear something about the
temperance movement in Ridgway, where,
unless appearances are very deceitful, some
temperance movement is sorely needed
The Good Templars of our :own begin to
feel that they must act as well as talk, and
are following advice to tlat effect They
are very modest, however, and | hope you
will encourage them by judicious commen-
datiop. You will be pleased to know that
they are trying to do something, and that
their proposed action is so eminently "sen-
sible." So long as they did nothing out
side of their secret meetings, except to pro-
cure an occasional temperance lecture, there
was reson at least-in the opinion of many
to question the dcbth and sincerity of
their temperance professions. When reo-
pie are sincere and in earnest about any
thing, they are apt to show it in their con
duct as well as in their words. Therefore,
for the sake Of the Good Templers them.
solves, aside from the qustion Of public ad"
vantage, I am glad to hear that they pro
pose to do what their principals seem evil
dently to 1eqlire of them, and what per-
haps is the best as we'll as the least thing
they can do, to show that they mean what
they say. They are circulating fer 6iena
ures. "a petition, to, the court against hquor
license, which startling as its. language
may appear-no doubt expresses the hon
est conviction of every member of their so
ciety aud of many beside. it.sets forth. the
opinion that the sale Of Intoxicating liquors
as beverage is destructive of the morals,
peace and business interests Of the cCmmu
nifty, fostering idleness, inciting crime, in
creaseing taxation, perpotua. snare to,the
young standing temptation before which
goes down every resolution Of the inebrate
for reform. To lcensegthis .iniquity on
the plea that it is necessary. is to do violence
to common sense, and adds insult 20 injury.
"Surely those who hold this opinion can do
no less thah earnestly praJ the Court that
no such license be granted in this town.
ship" They would hardly deserve the re-
spect eff honest men if they allowed the
Court to ''license this iaquity' year after
year, without a word OF objection or remon.
STRANGE And it must be allowed that if
the natural tendency aud effect Of "the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors as beverage
is such as here described, then the peti-
tioners are perfectly right in calling it
"iuiquity;" and it would be as absurd to
license such sale as it would be to grant
indulgence to any and every kind Of sin,
in order to raise money for building
churches and supporting ministers Of the
Gospel
But large. majority Of the citizens Of
Ridgway, so far as I can judge, will
dissent from the opinion expressed In the
petition; and of course they must be allowed
TO act according to their oEn conviction:
of duty.
l do not propose to argue the question
either way. But the matter is Of sufficient
Importance to demand the careful considera
tion Of every citizen; and l write merely Z
call attention to it, and to point out wha
seems to me the real'qucstion at issue.
Allssagree that intemperancc is an evil
and only euH continually. If it be granted
that "the sale of intoxicating liquors as bev
erage" tends to promote intempervnce, then
of course, such sale ought not to be licensed
For in tha. case the drunkard's crime woult
be shared not only by the seller, and thos
who endorsed his application for license
but by the Court which granted the license
and by all citizens who saw the iniquit
and made no objection.
Therefore. all who advocate: (and a
uho see no reason to object againsO th
granting Of such license, must take tn
ground thaat liquor selling does not ten
to promote intempsrance. On this poll
think it is not difficult for any honest ma
to form a correct opinion.
Ridgway Jan 9. 1870.