The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-06-04
MISCELLANY.
From the Boston Pilot.
Versus MORAL SU4ST0N


PROHIBITION VERSUS MORAL SU4SION
CONCORD, N. H., May IL, 1878.
To the Editor Of The Pilot:
DEAR SIR--Any vice that becomes general,
no matter how degrading, when its victims
and votaries possess influence and power, cam
not with impunity be effectively assaulted in
this material age with that truthlmlness
and severity that an extraordinary vice in
vites. Hence, in our day. we see so many see
ming virtuous persons assailing that law that
prevents the manufacture ofdrunkarls even
such benefactors of temperance as those who
lead the Total Abstinence movement are eau
tious lest they may insult the worthless behind
the bar. They say, sWe will confine ourselves
to correcting intemperance through moral
suasion alone politics we don't approve of as
a means to eradicate the vice; :" which means,
if means anything, that they are afraid to
confront with the law of the land those wealthy,
influential demoralizers of our race and reli-
gion.
Consistency is a beautiful attribute, it's the
reflection of our pretensions These who
pretend to make war on the demon of ill.,
temperance, and, at the same time, to court
the favor and approval Of the dispenser of rum,
are making n compromise with hell-serving
two maste.s-inconsisten disclaimers and
transparent frauds.
There is not sincere Catholic neither an
Irish patriot in the country, but should work
with all the zeal in his power tc aid the en-
forcement of that obnoxious law--prohibit-
ion. In the success of that law lies the only
hope of the Irish race to regain their lost
| greatness The rum merchant is the curse
that tracks the poor Cclt from his unfortunate
home to the remotest hooks of the earth, and
there like a cannibal riots OH the flesh Of or
phans and widows smiles at the wrctched-
ness, degradation, and shame be inficts on
the race he is commissioned to ruin. All but
we are informed that those brands are all pa
triots, and rs for practical Catholics they can
not be surpassed in their works Of charity and
professions Of picty. Can a man be lover of
his race who will help to place his felow-nan
beneath the level of the brute creation cast
him. after his days toll, into the streets
staggering-a victim for the thief and assas-
sin, or fuel or police courts? Father Burke
speaks of an intoxicated person rs dead cod
fish or an Ohio hog one who usurps the ends
of his creation and forfeits all claims to q life
of heavenly immortality. Can ii be possible
that he is practical Catholic who aids every
day in the destruction of mortal souls? Ac-
cording to divine and human law he who is
an accessory to anothers crime is as culpable
as the transgressor. And yet there are Cath
olics who will say it is wrong to disturb with
this unjust law, those large hearted business
men.
There are divine prohibi.ory laws that con-
denim and cast away him who scandalizes. Is
there scandal greater than the bartering in
hnman souls? In this enlightened age divine
laws are dead letter, and human barriers
against vice are contrary to the spirit of the
times.
Prohibitory laws are legitimate and essen
tial in all good governments to protect the
innocent and prevent vice and crime and
nation that cannot enforce those laws soon be-
comes extinct. Who would wish that those
who circulate obscene publications have per-
mission to inundate the land with such poison
that the Lords day be desecrated? that muir
derers and thieves have unbribled sway
Would moral suasion be effective to protect
us from such state ? And yet the bar-rooms
are making more havoc in the world every day
than all the other crimes together and prohi-
bition Is too heavy dose for this canker we
must keep soothing it with moral suasion
syrup.
In sncering, exultant tone some creature
of the bar will say, "Prohibition has been tri-
ed and failed those who want drink will have
it at all hazards" Yes, he who contracts a
vice will use all possible means to feed his
chronic desires but pray, will the rising gen.
crationsa The unintiate as yet won't expend
either time or honor to enter those outlawed
dens, If the lure is not within easy grasp
Hence the necessity of prohibition, without
which moral suasion would be as swimming
against the tide.
Another nice argument against the system
is that it has become partial and corrupt that
the whole machinery is directed against the
poor man-especially the Irish-American--and
such an atrocious act is so piteously put forth
that it makes a sort of martyr of the Injured
innocent, which induces many to rally to his
standard ON election day and help defeat their
best fiiends.
To our shame, as Catholics, it must be ac-
knowledged that we support fearful proper
ton of liquor shops. Somebody says we are