The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-05-16

last. BY unanimous vote of the
lodge assembled, Mr.. Burton was re-
quested to furnish cory of the same
to the FOREST REPUBLIcAN.-ED.1
Where wrong exists, there exists
also disposition TO avoid responsible.
ity.
The fact has an existence, that men
become intoxicated, and very few can
be found who will not admit that
drunkenness is wrong; but who is to
be blamed2 Some say the answer is
easy the drunkard himself Let us
follow him in his feelings and acts, and
see if we cannot pity, as well as cen
sure. Do you see him leaving his
home with that appetite already form
ed which has now become his master.
He despises himself for being slave
to the cup; despises the cup with all
the influences it possesses for evil; and
yet his appetite is so strong, he must
take one glass where the opportunity
presents itself, and then, who does not
kEow that second glass must be ta-
ken to keep the company of the first,
and then a third, and so on, until the
man loses his selfcontrol entirely.
Now, when we remember the potency
Of d bad habit, and the impotency of
resolution in the presence Of exciting
causes, shall We not pity instead of
blame
May we not ask if the vendor of the
enchanting, enslaving, and captivating
drink is not entitled to a share of the
responsibility
But be not too severe in your cen
sure. First take his place; look at
family, breadless, unless the father fol.
lows that business which he has paid
for the privilege of following, by pro-
curing license Of the proper authority,
and investing his all in public house,
so that by refusing TO let the man who
drinks have his accustomed dram, he
cuts off his means of support, not only
for himself, but for his family,-and
what father can see his children suffer
for bread when he can, in a legal way,
provide means to prevent it?
Shall not the responsibility of selling
the soul-and-b0dy destroying beverage
he divided between the vendor aud the
Judge who signed his license to fill
drunkards' graves, and people the re-
gion Of darkness?
Though the judge, Pilate-like, may
wash his hands in innoceney, and may
hope to be acquitted at the bar of God
and public sentiment, yet, he, Plate
like, did dreadful deed simply for
position. He dare not stand up like a
man, and refuse all liquor bribes and
the influence of all whiskey men, and
of all anti-whiskey men who are ready
to kick any man whom they may
chance TO see some one else kicking
no. says the pusilanimons judge,
"puhlic sentiment would be against
me" Men are feN who will stand by
men who stand by sentiment.
None of Gods true noblemen have
ever lived, who cannot attest to the
truth of the assertion just made; so we
must admit the fact, t,-and it changes
OR bitter reproaeh to "A kind pity for
the specimen Of humanity who holds
an office by sacrifice Of his true man.
hood
Aud He may be permittei to ask,
shall not the responsibility be divided
between the Judge and those very re-
spectacle citizens who signed the peti
ton for license?
They surely had no money to make
by the operation, unless by brides
which they would blush TO make pub
lie; for who would wish to advertise
that he had sold himself and and his
fellow men for money, and that, too,
trihing sum? l fancy | see these
sneaking, low-liveI specimens Of hu-
manity asking to share the responsible
ity with all Good Templars, and other
good temperance men, who will see the
law broken, men ruined, and God dis
honored from day to day, by the sale
of the beverage to minors and men Of
incorporate habits, and who will soothe
their guilty conseiences by meeting
weekly and engaging in a routine of
forms and ceremonies, all meaningless,
unless it means it means salvation to
the drunkard. Among these may be
found officers of justice, whose duties
officially performed, would lead them
to investigate these matters; also law
yers who knew the law and how TO en-