The Placer herald., 1874-07-18
LOCAL OPTION.

Willie other sections have l( en- warming
up their blood on this question, we, in Pa-
cer, have, from the good sense displayed W
to the present, by the friends of the law
been allowed to rest at ease We had Sc.
riousy hoped this rest would not be dis
turbed, until the Superior Court had de-
cided whether the law was constitutional oil
not. But it 'eems the people of township
Nine have allowed their impatience to gel
the best Of their judgment, and have sent in
a petition to the Supervisors, containing the
requisite number of sgners, praying that
they order an election in that township, fol
the purpose of deciding whether. or not,
license shall 3e granted to retail liquor
dealers in said township. This brings the
matter hone TO the people Of that section,
and, we understand, they are very much
excited over it. Why this should be, we
are unable to say. but it seems there has
nothing transpired, since the Revouionar,
war, unless we except the Great Rebellion,
that has created such intense feeling among
the people, where its enforcement has been
attempted, as the Local Option Law
Wherever agitated, it seems to take preced-
ence of all other questions. Men and wo
men, who have been lifelong friends, agree
ing on every other issue, often divide on
this, and GOODNESS springs up on that ac-
count which, in come instances, time will
never eradicate That cid feeling seems to
spring at once into fe, that "who is not for
us is against us, and to this they cling, a-
hough the question was one involving life
or death. This, in our judgment, is wrong.
The question, it il true, is one Of much i'm
portance, but this very fact, alone, should
prompt neighbors to he cool, con-iderate,
and impissonate in their decision. Don't,
f you favor the enforcement Of the law,
Jump at the conclusion that your neghbor
who opposes it, is an adorer of iniemper-
.,nce, and, like satan, delights in the evils,
and gloais over the misery which follows j.
its train, because nearly, if not qui'e twelvt
times out Of oozen. such IL conclusion
would be wrong. There may be many who
have gone so far that they are no Longer
'ble TO control their appetite as they would
wish, but we opne that no mortal yet, ever
became so depraved as to take pleasure III
The evils which often follow excessive in
dulsence. The question is not, as man,
would cons.rue il, for or against intemper-
nce If it were, there would he but little
opposition to the temperance side. For we
1olemnly believe the rational Amor;e.." eili-
zens, who would oppose measure whicl,
they were convinced would strike death IT,
the evil Of mtemperance, would, indeed, b.
few and far between. Many among til,
best men, believe the emf rcement of the Local
Option Law will accomplish this end 9TH
Of sentiment comes in. 1t is ON the power
IF tie law to accomplish the end, IN no
on the end to be accomplished This is -
'imp'e question, on which the most CON
1cientious men may differ. And we see II,
reason why different opinions may not Le
entertained on this, as well as other subjects
without creating that intense excitement
md even prejudice, which, thus far, has
characterized the contests involving its set
element. Let us, in Placer county, meet
the question, pro and con. coolly, deliber
.'ely und imp'ssionately. Let each man
think aud act independently, at the same
time awarding to all others the same priv-
.ege, without, for a moment, entertaining
he thought that his opponent is necessari,
MS enemy.