The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-08-06
EDITOR TRUE NoRTHERNER

According to the oh servaton of some of
our oldest and best townsmen, we have not had
such day in Decatur as was Saturday last for
sixteen years. Two fights, six in the lookup,
and the streets swarming with drunken men.
Such are the fruits Of regulated whisky
traffic"
Did our wise legislators, while operating
against the prohlbitory law, fatter themselves
that the paying of tax by the hquor-seller
would in any way lessen the number OF drinks,
or gauge the degrees OF drunkenness or the
thousands Of women OF our State who petit
toned our lawmakers last winter TO hold on to
the prohibltory law and strengthen it, ID there
one who will suffer less anguish, or whose
poverty will be less bitter to bear, because
father, husband, son or brother comes home
drunken with whisky upon which the tax has
been paid ? How long must women Of this
commonwealth bear this whitening indignity
The legislation OF last winters session with
reference to the whisky traffic was more unjust
and heartless toward woman than any former
legislation that has taken place in these United
States, of which we have any knowledge
Utterly powerless in the matter Of making law,
when we petition by thousands that the law
shall sternly and unflinchinglysay to the wretch,
" You shall not sell my husband strong drink, "
we get the moch1ng return. "You may go and
tell him yourself" Will the command Of any
woman to the rum-seller, " Beware how you
cell my son strong drink, be obeyed?
All over the State the liquor traffic is quick
ening. Said a wholesale dealer to US some
weeks since: while that law was going
through, trade was dull and we sent out no
men and took few orders, but it is better now
we have legitimate business All over the
State homes are being desecrated, little chill
dren are being debauched and hardened by the
sight OF drunken fends, and thus in contact
withth profanity and obscenty that accompany
it. What schooling for the coming genera
ton All over the State women are suffering
anguish that cannot be told, because the heel
of the law is upon them and there is no re-
dress.
Regulate tue whisky traffic! Indeed Let
every woman in the land cry aloud and spare
not. Let us resent with unmeasured indgna
ton and scorn this cowardly ignoring Of oil oul
rlghts,-thls slaughter OF the Innocents before
the moloch of whisky and whisky power. We
have been told here by one who stands before
the people in the sacred desk that he had never
been in favor of 80 msLy prosecutions. Would
he not make use Of the law against thief
who should take from his stable vsluabl,
horse? Would he not, as loyal citizen, fee
that he had perfect right to defend himsel
aud property with the law against all such Of
tenders Why not give the woman who il
being robbed day by day Of her own life, am
of treasures dearer than life, the same defense
When whsky-selling is held by the law to b
the heinous crime that it is. and punished &C
co rdingly, and not till then, shall we dare L
hope for it's suppression. When men shall b
sent to legislate for US who can tell right fror
wrong in bill, and dare to vote for it, and nc
: till then, shall we have just law in this mat
D ter. Hoping and praying for the day, / remain
{ Yours truly.
Decatur Aupust Cd