The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-02-27
Tothe Editor ofthe yefrersonlar,

caster HtettlgenceT, at lhe same Tune comhheHu
ing it. to the readers of the Democrat, as a true
view of the question of local option.
The writer of the article alluded 10 would
have us believe that he is a friend of Tenn
perance.
Instead of boldly facing the question and
openly a~vwoing himself an advocate OF whis-
kew. he coward like, sneaks into the Temper
ande camp, and from that standpoint, hopes to
deal the Temperance cause a more effective
blow.
We have fought too long with the devil not
to know some of his tricks. We are not thus
easily deceived. The cloven foot is too mani
fest, and the horns will stick out.
In dealing with this writer therefore we will
assume that he is not a friend of Temperance,
as he asserts himself to be, but that he is a fiat
footed friend of whiskey.
The Inconsistency of Tempcrance men, which
he speaks of, in the use of tobacco, and in
eating, has nothing whatever to do with the
question. Its introduction is solely for the
purpose of bringing in a side issue, to draw the
attention of the true friends of Temperance
from the real question. We do not propose to
be thus diycsted, and shall not therefore enter
into an argument over that part of the article.
He says further 'the great trouble in this
matter is that the laws we have now is not en-
forced, and yet our Temperance friends want
still more stringent ones enacted, to still more'
bring the administration of the law into con-
tempt and disrepute."
To which we reply that the present laws are
whiskey laws, not Temperance laws. They
were concoted by whiskey men, and are car
ried ont by them for their benefit. 1t was
never intended that they should be executed,
for the reason that they are full of bubbles,
that always have, and always viii, prevent
their execution. All of which the writer
knows, and the reader of this, also knows.
Instead of prating about the friends of ITEM
perance'' and wanting 10 know why they do
no; enforce the present license laws, why does
not this Scion, see to their execution himself
If he thinks they are what is needed 10
eradicate the evil of intemperance land he says
he wants it eradicated) why don't he try them?
Does he think it consistent ~ for temperance
men to execute whlskey laws!
We have known some pc pie to try to en-
force them in our town, and we know how sue
cessful they mere too.
We know that just so long as the law winks
at crime, crime wills talk rampant drought our
country-so long as law licenses the sale Of
liquor at all, SO long, will licenses be violated
witty impurity. For will the law (Which is a
greater crime) punish a violation (which is a
less crime?)
Having tried whiskey laws to our full and
entire satisfaction, the advocates of Temperance
now propose to try other measures TO get rid Of
the Infamous traffic.
We do know, the Lancaster In~teIligeucer'
TO the contrary notwithstanding, that in States
where prohibitory laws are in force the decrease
in crime and pauperism and drunkenness is
wonderful, and if this is the result in other
States we have every reason to believe it will
be So here in Penns lvania.
And we do belieye-honestly and truly,
that if Pennsylvania refuses to license the sale
of liquor by a popular vote in March next, it
will very much decrease drunkenness in the
State, or in any county that adopts it.
We do not expect to eradicate the evil of
intemperance entirely, any more th1n by judi
cions laws we expect to stop the people from
stealing. So long as there are men mean
enough to make liquor, and men mean enough
to sell it, and newspapers mean enough TO advo-
cate that the manufacture and sale of such an
Infamous article are right and proper, so long
will there be found unfortunate victims to
drink it, and so long therefore will the traffic
continue.
But we can mitigate the eval by prohibi-
ton. We can make the traffic in liquor dis
graceful and criminal, by the enactment oflaws
to that effect, where it is now made hopeful
and respectable.
What liquor is then sold will be sold clan
destinely. The man who deals in il will hunt
some obscure place to keep it and sell it, as the
man who now deals in counterfeit money seeks
some obscure and out of the way place to
manufacture it.
Instead of having our streets lined with
whiskey shops Haunting their invitations to
drink in the faces of our unwary sons and
hSAShNO4p We SAd nave ilOlC Oi llem. lie
traffic will cease TO have the sanction of the
state, and the rum-seller will seek some dark
and observe dungeon, and guard it we'll, in
order that he may carry on his nefarious
business.
The local option law is a wise and just one
1t is purely Democratic in its nature. and
ought to commend itself to every American. 1t
simply gives to the people of every county the
privilege Of deciding, whether liquor shall be
sold in that county or not. This is eminently
proper. lfa majority Of the citizens of Mon
roe, believe that the sale of liquor is an evil,
that 1t is injuring themselves, their fami
lies, their neighbors, and the prospects of their
county, then certainly they ought to have the
privilege and the power of stopping the traffic
within their borders. There is nothing more