Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-09
LOCAL OPTION.
A Small but Determined Gathering Of
Tennessee RefOrmers.

W. G. Iumau, on whose motion DR.. ]. B.
Lindsey took the chair.
DR.. Lindsey said that the object of the
meeting was to take steps toward memori-
alizing the Legislature to pass a law that
would have some practical results in sup
pressing the evils resulting from the exces-
siYe use of alcoholic liquors.
n. j. Gibson, Secretary Of the Grand
Lodge Of Gosd Templars, was appointed
Secretaryo of the meeting.
DR.. w. Perkins, Grand Lecturer of the
same order, readth following memorial:
To the Honorable General Assembly of
Tennessee: Petitions for relief from the
desolating evils of tippling houses lave
been partially circulated, and with but a
1.-THE of the names which might be had,
will, in due time, be laid before you.
These we are constrained TO supplement
by asking you to consider a few of the
prominent features Of these evils.
That the retail and common use Of ar
dent spirits are doing more to embitter life
throughout our State than any other, not
to say all other vices, is too obvious to need
proof. FIOm the most reliable statistics,
the conviction is forced upon us that the
direct waste Of money and time, to say
nothing Of crime, costs, prosecutions and
prisons, all resulting from strong drink,
exceeds the amount spent for all our schools
and churches. The entire revenue, thus
worse than wasted, would meet, not only
these educational and religious expenses,
but those needed for all our food aud raj
meDt. To this we are panied to add the
crushed hopes and the shameful abuses
suffered BIZ thousands Of innocent mothers,
cfzFnr1 Hf-ac an1 nhf11ra, H., kIs. d.,
Of troubles" as Shakespeare would phrase it,
is there no relief? Since the law opens
these ruinOus tippling-houses cannot the
law regulate them into some decency and
justice, or close them up?
Other States Of this Union have tried,
with much success, three classes Of RENE
dies-absolute prohibition, local option, and
strict accountability for all damages result
ing from tile retailers sales. While the
first, and especially the last, were a blessing
to any community, we now urge you to
give US the benefit Of the lOcai option law.
This simply protects a sober people from
the imposition Of the tippling nuisance.
Democratic and anti-coercive as it is in its
nature, we feel confident that yOd will pass
II. Indeed il is no more than giving back
10 the citizens Of districts their natural
and GOd-given right Of selfprOtectiOn.
Opposed as large msjorities Of them may
be to the demOralizing influences Of dram
shops, what justice or democracy can there
be in forcing these upon them? Let the
wisdom chsracterizing your legislation up
TO this hour, pass this Just and good law,
and the moral sense or the present and the
future citizens Of Tennessee will proclaim
it the best deed Of the best Legislature of
our noble State. J. BERRIEN LINDSEY,
y. J. GIBSON, Sec'y. Chairman.
Senator Hodges, Of Hamblen county,
was introduced by the chairman, and said
be doubted very much that what be sug-
gested would have the effect of convincing
any q that the use Of intoxicating bever-
ages was an unmitigated evil. He would
not be led to believe by the limited attend
snce that no interest was felt in the matter
by the citizens Of Nashville, but attribute
their absence to the inclemency Of the
weather. He was Of the opinion
that the people Of the State de-
sired this demon driven from the
country. The Legislature ought TO do this,
and he thOu2ht it would. He did not sup
pose the people here or elsewhere hoped by
temperance legislation to reform the man
who was so far gone that ruin stared him
in the face, but that they might so regulate
the sale and use Of intoxicating beverages
as 10 remove the temptation from the path
way Of those growing up into manhood.
This subject ought 10 be agitated and the
monster, -intemperance, checked in his on
ward march.
Rev. DR.. Hamilton, Of Atlanta, Ga, was
next introduced. He said il was painful
to see so many empty benches in the hail;
that there perhaps was never a period in
the history Of Tennessee when Il was more
necessary for men Of thought 10 ask for
legislation touching the evils Of intemper-
ance than now. The ministers Of the va
rious churches ought to have been
there with their congregations; the
venerable fa.hers and mothers, whose
perhaps were at that
moment Keeling and staggering along the
streets should have been there. With so
many ~trap-dOors to hell all over the city, it
was truly a marvel that there was a sober
man in it. a young man Of active brain
and cheerful spirit could not grow up in
the city without falling in love with
liquor, because it met him at every turn
and at every corner. be seriously doubted
the piety Of a man that sold liquor
in any shape or form, and as far as the
were concerned he thought
they would be in 4 better and more pros
condition if they would get nd Of
their liquOT-selli1g members. The idea of
a man protesting TO be a Christian dealing
in an article that had more hell in it than
any other agency Of his Satanic Majesty, |
truly prepOSterOus. The local option
law was the law, and could more readily
root out the evils Of intemperance than any
other; and the Legislature should be i'm
Dortuned, button-hOled and begged to pass
law thas would do so much good, wher-
ever put in force.
DR.. Lindsey remarked that the temper
cause wa stronger in the country
than in the cities, and he had no doubt
that, if the local option question was put
10 q popular vote, it would be carried by a
majority.
Judge E. l.. Gardenhire, Representative
rom White county, was then introduced.
He said that, after a careful and critical
examination Of the legal authorities, he
mad come to the conclusion that
Inc local option law was cOnsti-
1t was considered to be
1nly a police regulation, and hence it could
not be declared unconstitutional. Four
ifths Of the crime committed was the re-
8ult Of the use Of Intoxicating liquors. He
mad been practicing law about thirty-fve
reaTs and had defended over fige Hundred
criminals, aud h had never defended one
nan charged with having committed a
but that whisky was the cause. a
member Of the Legislature had remarked
% him that T. would not do to pass
/ local option law, as it would deprive the
State Treasury Of large amCnnt of money
collected from liquor dealers; but when it
vas stated that out of $4,000 paid by the
State for criminal prosecutions 100000
vas the result Of the use of strong drink.
md that only $4,000 vas collected annual
Y from these men, such an opinion could
lot have much weight. He hoped that the
legislature would come to the relief. of
peOple in this matter; and, 50 far as he
vas concerned, he intended to do all he
,ould to suppress the evil. He would vote
or the local option law if the finger Of
corn should be pointed at him by his con
tituents the balance Of his life.
Rev. Mr.. Ellis was the next speaker. he
,ould not see how any set Of human beings
,ould object to the local option law, when
IS passage would accomplish so much
,Cod. liza man knew he was selling one
II his fellow creatures a thing that would
his constitution and reduce his family
o becgary and starvation, he ought to be
.-7, r,o4 tba hill and nav al damaraz