The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-06-05
vindication of Legislation.
To the Editor of the Standard:

To the Editor of the Standard:
Intemperance is unquestionably the
crime, the torment, and the reproaeh of
our free, and would be, were it not for
the loathsome curse of the still, happy
and prosperous people. Among all moral
questions, intemperance is paramount,
and its eradication is uppermost in the
minds and hearts of all true and noble
persons. Moral suasion has been bring
ing its force to bear upon the subject
during the rev olution of many suns with
out seemingly accomplishing much; the
trouble is it is too local in its power and
does not remove the temptation. We
may preach to the poor inebriate in Vain
but when we obliterate the cause of his
sin, then, and only then he ceases to
transgress. Nevertheless, we toll with
the Persuasionist, bid him Gods speed
and are glad we belong to the suasive
body. But we go further and not
only make it a moral, but a political
question. Legislation is the only effect
i've remedy. The people realize the fact
and have organized the Prohibition par
ty, which is accumulating strength every
day. To look for effectual prohibition
without the succor of a party, is to look
| for results without the use of appropriate
means. The suppression Of the liquor
traffic is not the only issue on which
we build our party. Our National Plat
| form is in advance of the propositions of
other parties. The contemplative mind
| takes cognizance of the fact, that pros
porous and beneficial parties never at
tach special Importance to more than one
question at a time. Opposition to slavery
alone was the origin of the Republican
party. But few good brothers say that
| prohibitery legislation is failure and
| am glad they are few. Very recently
La denouncer of legislation, 1--WE forbear
giving his name, while speaking of the
evil, with great complaeency made the
| following assertion: II believe the enc
my is not to be crushed so much by leg
islative acts as by moral force" The
| brother has a perfect right to his belief
but we think it is based upon poor
foundation, if he believes SO simply be-
cause A. l.. Waddle, Mayor of Chillicothe
says Legislation cannot prevent the CON
sumption of ardent spirits"
To counteract what the Mayor of Chill
licothe said, we will give what Judge
Davis, of the Supreme Court of Maine
said
| mo observing man who has ever lived
in this State for. twenty years, and has
had an opportunity to know the facts,
can doubt that the Maine law has pro-
duced hundred times more visible i'm
provement in the character, condition
and prosperity of our people, than any
| law that ever was enacted"
Judge ye who has the greater opportu-
nifty to know the truth tie Mayor or the
Judge. And furthermore the report of
1867 of Mr.. Welles shows that not quite
one-hfth as much liquor was sold in
Maine to the head as in Ohio. Listen to
the statements of Horace Greeley:
Maine has fewer paupers, criminals
vagabonds, than she formerly had. and
that her people are steadily increasing
in thrift and wealth are inevitable. Very
rarely do we hear of great crime or out
rage perpetrated on her soil
| "These truths ought to impress them
selves on the minds of the legislation of
| this and other States Law in general
seeks such ends as the Maine law has
achieved.
THE pretense that as much liquor is
sold now in Maine as in former years, is
| impudently false. We spent three days
in travelling through the State, without
seeing glass of it, or an individual who
appeared under its influence"
We thank God that Indiana, West
Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts,, and
Others are initiating Maine by enacting
good prohibitory laws. My friend, Per-
suasionist, of whom l spoke AYERS that
legislation has been attempted without
success. He would make it appear O fail
ure without one instance of proof, only
because the Mayor of the enormous city
of Chilliccthe said so.
However, he does in speaking of the
present law, say: ~ believe if it was en-
forced strictly that our dram-shop-k keep
ers would soon have to quit their bust
ness,
Then, brother we want endorsements