Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1877-12-12
TINE TEMPERANCE novtsEHT.

Il II contended by the leaders Of the tenn
pernnee movement, whish hes attained
considerable prominence IN this and some
other parts of the State, that it 10 free from
that ephemersl character which has been
. distinguishing Characteristic Of reforms
Of this kind.
We believe II TO be true TINT the organi-
ration n now constituted has existed with
out material change for years, except In a
slow and steady increase Of membership,
and that much good has been done in quiet
work. The number Of United Friends of
Temperance is rather larger than those out
side are aware Of; yet they are composed
we may say chiefly Of church members, al
ready we believe vowed ~ temperance by
reason Of their religious obligations. We
observe no perceptible diminution In the
habits Of communities generally, 70 far rs
the support Of liquor selling establishments
are concerned. But many parties promin-
ent as reformers feel that the time has come
for more active work, and are beginning to
sgitate, by means Of petitions to town
councils and police juries, the question of
sale or no sale Of Intoxicating li9uors-tle
local option law which prevails in this
State furnishing the means Of testing by
vote Of the people their inclinations as to
the licensing Of houses to retail liquor in
incorporated towns and in wards. There
Of course can be but one opinion among
the best class Of people as 10 the main
question involvcd-that is, the regulation
Of the Manufacture, use, and traffic in in
toxicating beverages in such a manner as
to prevent the disastrous effects Of intcm.
perance. But as Ia the how, there NAV
reasonably he much honest difference of
opinion. One man is Of opinion that q very
large license should De imposed and the
matter regulated in this manner. Another |
thinks that drunkenness should he made o
crime. Still another that tho drinking man |
should procure license, and yet another
thinks that the seller should be held respon-
,ibfe in damages for the loss, the poverty
md dcstitution which attach to the drunk.
'rds family by reason Of his habits Amid
III these views none yet have been found
o he 80 practicable, if We have read the
acts closely, as the imposition OF large
license in conjunction with the additional
cqnireinent that saloon nccpers shall be
csponsible IN damages for the acts of the
drunken men made so AT their houses. Blu,
'e AL thai as IL may, hate; or DC the right
curse We shall advucatc it-not ~ TEN
'crahcc Journal, but as n representative of
he people, bound by our position 10 guard
heir rights AS best We may. We must he
crmittcd, however, io do our work accord
ng to the dictates Of our conscience and I
Judgment, and not To- he driven to any ,
curse hy riamors and threats from tenn. .
crancr men nor by abuse from those Who ,
o not strongly favor the temperate, :
iovemcut
IN conclusion we present for the con.
Iteration of the fanatics in the movement
II temprrhncc-to those oraturs who. like 4;
"ancrg"s, the s0n of thunder. have nothing
ut abuse for the drnnkard-the startling
ct which may escape their narrow ob,rr.
anon. thai there is u large class of drunk.
di Those " lio are cursed with n Jis,,..l
W. for drink-N ho will ever be found IA :.
iir't III support of all movements which
III place beyond thrir reach the curse of
't HE They VIII i" =" without fear, !.
! indeed they Ar" SONS of sorrow cursed
they feel and CRYING for relief. Let us
these movements have less abuse of IA.
unkard, and more Of that love and con. -,
ling relief which prevails when threat, -
II powcrlcss, III