The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-17

as We'll nave Uec0 mace ULOeE one
ring.
That the sale of liquor is a crime nese.
This covers the whole of his argument,
and if this proposition cannot be sus-
tanned his hot house tumbles to the
ground. This important question he
assumes to be an axiom as plain to the
mass of mankind as to an estate reform
er. The world at large appears to be
obstinate enough to differ with Citizen"
and his impractical friends upon this
point. and see nothing criminal in the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors in itself.
Before "Citizen" condemns the law, it
will devolve on him to prove the affirm
alive of this proposition, and show what
the crime consists 10, and just make it
clear to the minds OF about nine-tenths
OF mankind.
Ii there is no crime inherent in the
sale Of liquor itself, the crime can only
b. imputed to it. whenever the privilege
OF sale is abused.
This is the present status in law that
forms The basis OF liquor legislation,
with the recognition OF the further TACT
Of demand and supply.
The great thing to consider is the9 de-
mand, which has always existed; and
what appears to be equally certain this
demand has been greatest in the most
civilized nations. 1t is equally certain.
that the most moral nations of the world
have used the various forms OF inOtxicat-
ing liquors most extensively, and hence
the demand in these moral nations must
have been greater, than among semi
civilized people.
1t is equally certain that where the
demand for alcoholic liquors is greatest
the finest physical specimens Of the race
are to be found. Who can doubt this
when he compares the noble Teuton as
represented by Germany, England and
America, with other races, and are not
those nations above all others, accus-
toned to the use of liquors?
That there is very great existing de-
Mand. is an undOubted fact all prohibit
tory liquor men cannot ignore; and
which will he supplied, law or no law,
because that demand is based upon a
sumptuary craving Of the human appe-
tite.
This demand being inherent in the
human stomach, Legislation cannot ef-
feet it by enactment.
Webster says: ''Sumptuary laws,
are abridgment of liberty and OF very
difficult execution. They can be justi
fed only on the ground OF extreme
necessity
1t then the Legislature cannot legislate
the demand out OF observation-disclosures
execute law that prohibits the supply
there is but one course left for it to do,
and tina: is to regulate the sale thereof
SO as to prevent us far as possible abuse
TO individuals and 10 the community.
This the legislature has Il clear right
to do, and does it, US delegates its
authority to municipal corporations to
do, and from the sale of liquors down
10 the location of slaughter houses, as
the kind OF material Of which building
shall be built. 1t Is sheer nonsense to
argue otherwise.
That the lnebriate Asylum Law is
more than law OF this stamp
cannot Ue claimed.
Tha: some men will sell to men whose
appetites are ungovernable is certain,
and it is equally certain that they will in
time become .mbiciles, as that the chill
dren OF physically weak and scrofulous
parents, will become consumptlyely or
confirmed invalids OF some kind This
law provides simply that the men who
live by wondering liquors shall support
the wrecks, and save society u, large
harmless from the expense. /. seems
to me this is tair and equitable; and a
very strong reason why the law should
be retained upon our statute books.
Tnen too. 1t is the opinion o! our best
medical men that this expressive cray
ing for stimUlants is y disease Il SO the
in -briate is not morally responsible Tor
il, rs drinking any more than he is for a
periodical attack of chronic rheumatism.
Is i, not wise in the legislature 20 pro-
vide for tins unfortunate in u humane
manner AS we de tor the insane rather
than treatiu. him Is criminal and
locking him up? 1t is no; = hundred
years since insane people were thrown
into common jails with criminals Is it
for the state TO be hui
name? Then. whom does the law harm?
Ii the saloon-keeper is pillager on
minister to criminal appet;tes.
he certainly has no right to complain.
because the law takes from him pit
lance, and gives it TO u fund. that has
for its object the saving OF society harm
less from the abuses OF the traffic. Is it
Citizen that is harmed? We cannot
see it, as the traffic, legal right, and the
law in some form existed before his
birth. He cannot be he'd responsible
for the sins Of his fathers or their pro-
genitors even rs far bac OK as the mon
key or old Adam. Society Ut large is
benefited by it, for il it treats ito years
OF the decrepit superanuated drunkards |
Of the state at the expense ofthe saloons
that have lived off ofthem, it will light |
en- the burden OF taxation for the poor |
Jus, so much. The poor inebria:c is the |
recipient OF this charity, kindly trea,- |
ment, aud freed from the vicious int,u-
ences Of the saloon. he certainly is not
harmed. The only class tina, can posi-
bly, be injured. are men who live and
thrive by bowling Tor temperance for a