The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-04-29
Answer to Saw Dust.
Moss PoINr. Miss. AnriI .,

The author OF tue article beaded,
"Whiskey Selling" in your last
issue, is evidently in earnest and
very emphatic. Well, We like both
qualities, aud il he or she as the
case may be, will only strike at the
root of the evil, there will be no
lack Of earnest coadjutOrs.
surmise we shall differ very
widely With the aforesaid authority
as where to strike to find the root.
| weula drst claim for myself and
the supporters of my views, as deep
an interest in the morals of our
town aud State as he, she or they.
We acknowledge no peer in that
respect, and we invite tair, candid
and friendly discussion upon the
various points presented in connec-
tion With this subject. We would
first casually remark the despon.
dent tone OF the aforesaid authorl.
ty, who seemingly has lost faith in
legal remedies, aud looks forward
now ouly to social ostraeism to
frown down II legalized business
pursuit. A species of bulldoze.
Well, we are willing to give it a
trial-it it is efiicacious we will
have Increased reasons for believ.
ing that the popular theory of bull.
doing people to Heaven is not al.
together unfeasable.
Now, | would ask, does he au-
thor referred to really believe that
the retail liquor dealer is possessed
with a peculiar demon, urging him
to destroy tue bodies, souls and
minds OF his fellow man. Is 1t not
more rational to think that he is
actuated by the superior judgment
TO make money, In common with
others And who are for the su.
perior Judgments, unless it be those
who trantically but ioolishly advo.
cate a high duty on the production
aud sale OF spurious liquors. Laws
cannot change, much less eradicate,
even the smallest atom OF matter,
aud by the simplest rules ct politi.
,al economy, that which is scarcest
Or most valuable, is most sought
Tor. During our late unpleasant.
ness they made a good article of
out OF China berries, and
I superior one out of pine tops. II
IS possible that ii the idea should
strike the inventive brain of our
ocal genius, he would get out
No. | drink from sac dist. II he
,uly succeeded in extricatiug the
lcetic properties. he would cUnfer
asting obligations.
Under the prctense OF enforcing |
/ remedy tor a great evil, our Fed.
raj congress has levied "a tax ex.
,eeding manifold the productive
,ost of spurious liquors, and as IA
necessary consequence, both the |
aud the consumption
las increased in about as many |
old proportions. This is u patent
assertion proven by statistical
igures. Now were our congress
nen honest in the specification OF
heir object, and having done their
10 in euacting law, stand indiffer.
MT to its consequences, and shift |
he curses upon the shoulders OF
heir besotten constituency, it
rould seem rather that they have
fulfilled their object, and have |
mt on a sanctimonious disguise in
rider to raise q superintendent
evenue.
This illustrious example found
eady imitators with our State law
Makers, who under the same dis
uise, nave offered still greater in-
entives to specially endowed mon
polists, to go in and make for
une selling whiskey. Now | claim
hat such special taxation is an in
aston of the natural and inherent
lights aud liberties of man-uncon-
and pernicious in its eff
.cts, as eviuced by statistical
eview of the increased consunp-
ion since the passage of these acts.
Iuman nature as well as common
revolt at all such re
and u vigorous enforce
ient of these bad laws are the
,ost efiectual methods to remedy. |
Perhaps there are patriotic mo.
ives actuating great many. They
nowingly drink fifteen cent whis-
ey, and pay from one to three
per cent. in order to sup
ort the government. Perhaps
hose pious proprietors are ilnpelled
" similar motives, for they pay
evenue tax about equivalent in
mount to that levied Oh real es.
ate.
Now if the special tax on spirit
Gus liquors were removed, there
rould be a general tumble OF the
rticlc, and its productive cost re-
need TO fifteen cents per gallon,
D that it would not he worth
rinkimg much less selling, and the
ian who would deliberately kill
imselt on fifteen cent whlskey,
ould hardly pain the tender heart
either wife or mother. 1t would
Q a decidedly good riddance, and I
lleaper than hanging.
In closing these remarks | would
arnestly implore all good citizens
Mississippi in the noble endea-
or to reach "a high (moral stand
rdl to take a common sense view