Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-12-21
WHO MAS TO BLAME

The following article i copied from
The Temperance Uuion and Canada Pro-
hbitionist" such an event IS as likely to
happen IN this latitude a ia that. The mar
ra,iye is worthy OF perasal and reflection
Sharbot Lake was. on SATURDAY., 18Th
inst, the scene OF a most revolving murder.
instgaied and perpetrated solely through
the accused traffic In strong drink. Four
young men employed on the X. & p K r.
had lately arrived there, and on the Satur-
day subsequent to their pay day were iu-
dhlging h. q somewhat protracted spree.
Coming TO the house OF a Mr. Garratt Ia
their drunken revelry. they ordered their
supper which. being prepared. they sat
down 10 eat. During the meal, they en-
gagged In very unbecoming and indecent
language TO Mrs. CARAT and her daupht.
er. aud became very noisy and disordcrly
On being requested ia behave. OF leave the
house, they continued their unb.coming
conduct. until the arrival OF Mr.. CARAT
who, with the all OF another man present.
endeayored TO put them out. Two OF them
were put ont tnally, Mr.. CARAT following
ing them out. 4 few minutes after, he was
! found by his daughter. lying upon his face
with outstretched hands, and mortal
wound in the back OF his head. 4 heavy
cldb lay near bv, with which IL is suppos ed
the deceased met his death. He fingered
nearly day In a state of uucons ciou ,nrs,
and died. leaving a widow and seven chill
! dren 10 mourn his un,imely end
And now while the four prisoners now
/ in custody are recovering from their drum
ken spree. ard the inquest Is being held
over the dead body,-would It not be well
/ for Canadians To call a general conference
! NJ IA AMI rntappffinrz al a
boards. aud leg ,lat1f,, ta decide the Qurs-
ton Who Is to blame for the death OF
! CARAT?
Let such a gathering be held. Let Mr.
| Mackenzie. AS the Prime Minister Of the
| nation, and the one. therefore most inter
I esied IN the well-being Of the people. pre-
| side. Let the corpse OF the murdered man
/ bc brought into the midst, still reeking Ia
! gore. and while silence deep a. death per-
| yades this vast assembly, let the children
OF the murdered man gage for the last time
upon their murdered parent, and one by
| one propose the question.
who murdered my fsthers' Let the
widow in iher terrible grief stand by the
/ bier aud pointing TO the mangled corpse
ask In the name OF her bereaved family and
| desolate household. who murdered my
! busbandI' Each one of the four prisoners
! profess 10 know nothing OF it. They can
not. they argue, possibly be TO blame. RI
/ one OF them committed the crime he was
maddened by drink and was not therefore
! responsible. Such ilimsy reasoning can
never free the blood-stained prisoners from
the crime of murder. Act are they the
only guilty ones. All must admit that
/ without the drink the deed would never
have been committed.
Let the liquor seller come and stand by
! the dead victim OF his traffic and answer
the widows question. True Il is, he must
confess U at without the liquor sold (and
sold In this case according TO law) no muir
der would have been committed. Yet he
answers, but am not responsible for the
! Legitimate outflow of the traffic, am lie.
| eHsed to carry il on and license means
full permission to do everything necessary
TO the success OF my trade, leaving all re-
sponsbi!ity with the licensing authority.
| Tbi, will not free him from bloodguiltiness
vet be is not alone guilty. Let the License
Inspector who signed his license come for
ward and he will point TO the Government
| WHICH appointed him. Last Of all, the Pre-
mier disclaims all responsibility. The
country has not shown itself ready tor pro-
hibition. He Is but a representative and
servant OF the people, and can only make
and enforce laws according to their wishes
| AASiS We nav" uioohy ptTpTtld-
ted. widow and seven children left desc
late by the shocking tragedy, and yet no
one is responsible.
There Is blood upon the skirts Of some
one. All parties disclaim the responsible
| ity, yet In the sight Of Heaven the ,uan
who did the deed, the man who sold the
| liquor, the legislators who enacted the Ii.
cense. and the voters that supported it are
all guilty of the murder OF poor CARAT.