The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-10-31

should therefore look for 8 cheaper
mode and shorter route to the sea-
board. AS near as il could be as
eertained the actual cost of trans |
portation on railroads was thirteen
mills per ton per mile, while on
canals 1t was but seven mills. This |
difference of nearly one-half would, |
over 8 ronte where millions of tons
were transported, make q great diff.
ference In favor of canals for all the |
heavier and cheaper kinds of freight,
and hence the point in Kansas that |
could secure the terminus of such
canals would be sure to have, in due
time, railroads terminating there
and manufactures OF various kinds
would be built.
We submit, therefore, is il not to
the interest of Lyon counIy,to secure,
as soon as practicable, . canal be.
ginning at EmpOria, aud running
along the Neosho as far as the naVi.
We would thereby reach the gulf,
and the ocean by much shorter
and cheaper route than at present,
and the effect would be greater pro-
fit, cheaper goods, and . greatly in
creased value of the real estate of
the county, while the cost of build
ing and operating such canal
would b. less than that of railroad
for the same distance. For nine
months ia the year it could be used,
aud could certainly draw to this
point eli slow and heavy freight
from aud to Western Kansas, by
way of the Mississippi, for distribu.
hon and shipment.
We would ask your patience
VII lie we speak of q subject of tina
greatest interest to every citizen,
not only of our state, but Of the
United States. We refer to the
question of Temperance. This has
never become q part of any politi.
cal platform, until within g few
years. The prohibition party has Ia
ken this as its prominent plank and
has agitated IL with Increasing pros
poets of success. We see no reason
why this question should be longer
ignored by politicians, especially
by our reform movement, for it is
purely political question, IS well
as reformstory one. Surely that
which creates nine-tenths of our
criminals aud paupers, and casts
thousands ofhelpiess orphans, upon
the charities OF the world! that
question which violates every priv
ilege of citizenship on the part of
many of our female population,
deserves our particular attention.
Leaving out of the question all that
is humane, regarding only the pure.
ly political phase of the quee-
ton, we must be scandalously I'M
just to ignore it; unjust to on rseIveS
for it costs US much to arrest,
support and try the criminals il
produces, and provide for the pau
perisms it entails; unjust to the
criminal, because we lay the snare
that dooms him TO bis cell, or the
gallows; unjust, fearfully unjust, to
the sufferFiDg women and children
who cry day and night to US for
justice aud protection, but yet cry
in vain.
Well, Won ask, what do you pro-
pose to do? There is but one thing
we can do and be just. That is,
prohibit the mauufacture and sale
of intoxicating liquors as bever-
age within our State. The State of
Kansas has pronounced the traffic
criminal, and therefore she dare not
license it. License for good institu-
tiOns, as turnpikes, railroads, banks,
| corporations and the like, but pro-
hibition for ali crime is the only
course State can take and be just
with her citizens. Now, what is
license in this case in its relation 10
the State? Nothing less than the
State entering into q compact with
q criminal aud allowing him to
commit crime under certain condi-
tions. Now, if crime is committed,
it is to the injury of some other
| citizen of the State. Hence the
State permits one person or class of
persons to injure others. Dare she
do this when she solemniy pledges
equal protection to all who pay her
taxes and obey her laws? Dare she
take dollar of tax from those she
refuses equal protection Is not
the State in leagne with crime by
such a course, aud is she not q GRIM
inal herself, therefore? Most as
suredly she is. There is no course
she dare contemplate but prohibit
ton. Every objection urged against
a prOhibitOry liquor law may equal.
ly be urged against the laws prOhib-
iting theft, murder, counterfeitlng,
etc. The State, therefore, has but
one duty to perform in this regard,
and if she ignore that she proves
herself criminal and unworthy the
respect of those of her own citizens
she lends her assistance in crush
ing.
1t would be criminal upon my
part, therefore, il elected, to aid
this crime by my silence or assist
ance. Rather than be guilty of such
q course as a public officer I should
prefer the ordinary walks of life to
one of public trust.
And now, if the reform move.
ment meets with G hearty support
by all int, ested, we shall realize
the most blessed results. Already
its influence has had a good effect in
reducing taxes, in breaking up the
old political cliQues, ousting dema-
gogues, in reducing freight and pas.
senger rates on railroads. It has
yet much to do, but with the
streDg hold the movement
has upon the mass we may, within
less than one year, look for the most
favorable developments. The
whole country Is waking, and the
cry for reform lie heard all over the
land. Old politicians are trembling.
Their old rendezvous are discover.
ed. Their machinery lie coming to
the light, and they now see the i'm
pending revolution in political sf-
fairs.
Let us be bold in our efforts for
reform. Lift high your banners.
Let your songs be loud, your steps
be manly aud resolute, and great
good to all will attend our success.
Let no one ignore politics in this
reform. Political protection sup.
ported and saved the great Reform.
alton, under Martin Luther, and in
every reform of the church and the
nations since that, political protec-
ton mas been necessary to effect It.
Such have been the ways OF Prov
idence in the past, and If we do not
profit by them regarding politics,
we must be content to let corruption
rule the nation aud ultimately sink
her. Politics must be our main de.
pendence. With It We are safe.
Without 1t we are uudone. Away
then with prejudice. Let Us be
men, Let our demands be temper
ate and Just, and let as wrest them
from the depressing power and hurl
it from its lofty Flaaifinn 0f infiu.