Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-23

LOCAL OPTIoN.-The question OF
local option Is now exciting this COM
munity t, some extent. A united Ell
tort upon the part OF the churches TO
stop the uquor business in the town oil
Woodstock will be made this sprlug.
Tue subjec, is exciting great attention
! both in town and in the country. Many
persons not living in town feel deepl,
Interested in the subject and are giving
encouragement to the movement. As
Sith All public questions, there is a
,reat difference Of opinion upon the
8 lbiect aud the community is divided
in,o several different classes. Oae
class is opposed TO the whisky business
in every torn. aud are in favor OF fight
ing 1t in every possible way. They are
opposed to its manufacture and are
heartily in favor of prohibition through
ont the county State aud country. They
f,vor local option aud will use their to-
dIeuce to oppose the sale in the town.
A second class are prohbihonists, bnl
hold that unless the manufacture Is
stopped, it Is useless to try to effect an,
good by local measures and oppose To-
Cal option.
A third class are opposed to any re-
strictions except the license law, and
hold that it Is one of those evils that
cannot he regulated by Law,
The necessity for action upon the sub
iect was fully demonstrated on our last
county Court day. That drinking aud
drunkenness are on the increase III this
community there is no doubt. That 1t
is an evil which is doing great injury to
our county no one can deny. That com
munities have the right aud ought to
protect themselves against injurious
Influences Of all kinds, is certainly true
aud no one we suppose will deny that
it is true. The question which in tereSt'
every one concerned in the welfare o.
all, and especially ofthat OF their own
families is. how Can the most good br
accomplished ? Every parent, we take
it for granted, dislres to protect his or
her children, from the curse ofdrunken
ess. So long as blinking is opeulN
done and the Child sees those whom he
h S been taught TO respect drinking pub
licly at the bar, there is an Influence 10
favor of the use of intoxicating drinks
exerled upon hun.
The idea is entertained by soma tha'
all opposition to license is opposl'i'"
10 the welfare of those engaged In this
business. We do not believe it. W.
honestly believe that there is no cla's
of men so much injured by the liquor
traffic as the men. aud the families o.
the men, that engage in the business
1t Ia true they may realize fine pren's
upon theIr money, but we are OF th'
opinion that money made in this wa,
is curse, instead Of blessing, to the
men who make ii. We honestly believe
that the man who deterS his neighbof
from engaging in the liquor business
does that neighbor a greater good than
does the man who encourages hin
this business. Ii is true that so Ion
as the Inv licenses men to sell liquor
they have the legal right to do so, bu
the Law, as we think, wisely, gives the
Town cOuac:l a discretionary power
upon this subject. If the town council
are Of opinion that the sale OF intoxi st.
ing liquors is al injury to the commune
ty Of which they are the legal represent
talives, we hold that they are bound 10
exercise the power placed IN their hande
Tor the protection Of the community
They are the legal representatives OF
The interests of the entire community
we are willing 10 submit the whole
matter 10 them aud abide by their
decision.