The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-06-29
LOCAL OPTION.
EDITOR DsuocRAT-

alive to the above subject which
should interest every man, woman
/ and child who knows the evil al
fready done BY 1ntemperance, all over
| our dear country. It is not only a
duty of the philanthropist which
embraces christianity and her min
isterial forces, but every mother who
knows and feels the paDgs when her
husband comes in after a hard days
work, having spent the day burning
out his throat by pouring down bis
stomach whiskey at the rate of five
and ten cents q glass { as to quantity
it is unknown) the thermometer at
96, think of it.
! Now in our little Town of 1000 in
habitants there are twenty five pla.
ces where whiskey is sold. In the
United States there are 2741 brewers
and II, $40 dealers in mouth liquors.
There are 1888 retail and 4,121
wholesale. I see where Ohio, Indi.
ana, North and South Carolina, Mas.
sachusetts, Vermont and New York,
With other States are contemplating
this subject. The crimes are so
enormous, and it invites men to riot,
Robbery, bloodshed, much less max
ing drunkards, paupers, beggars,
widows and fatherless children.
1t cost the good people of Rapides
thousands of dollars every year;
much more tears for the loving mo-
ther whose son leaves home we'll and
hearty to 60 to horse-race, or some
other sport or pleasure of his, and
is made the victim. Whiskey was
the prime mover, and the very foun-
dation of his misfortune. It sends
annually to the bar 10000 souls
seventeen every hour.
| Hark! can you not hear them pass
ing cursing, whooping, running, and
some Of them taking up the whole
street, and ladies obliged in many
instances to inhale the fume and to
be spectator to those who have "a
ken on too much "tea" as they call
it. Again I have seen some of AL.
exak dria's elite having to shun some
|of the corners. Why is this9 1t
would have been better as you said
for our Police Jury to have decided
the question. Let US try it.
1t corrupts the virtue Of the
church, and it endeavors to corrupt
the ministry; it also causes mothers
to forget their darling babes. 1t is
unchristianlike to give or sell to
those on whom we know twill bring
disgrace. One. half, yes two.thirds
l might say Of the demons drug
that goes down the throats of these
colored people, is Of the very drugs
itself, and they gulch it down freely
as if it was ice-water, thus depriving
their families and going half naked.
In settling up the years accounts,
the liquor items separate, nine cases
out Of ten, their bills are not less
than $25, not including the trouble
and other expenses incurred there.
from.
1t effects communities, and morals |
in society. Go If you please some
Sabbath where it is sold in the coun.
try, around the little groceries where
they wont allow card.playing inside:
there you see them on the outside
brimful Of wkiskey, some around
barrel like 80 many ants to a lump
of sugar; some on the banks, in the
roads, under trees, aud under public
bridges where ladies and gentlemen
and the public generally have to
pass, and very often hear epithets
and words said to you or in the
presence of your wife and daughter,
that is not pleasant. Intemperance
in these localities mentioned is per.
sisted in and practised by a class
who should know better.
Will not the people of old Rapides
come up and say with one voice,
'let US do away With this whiskey
business, for 1t is the cause of nine
'enths OF all crimes committed."-
Look at the last issue of the DEMO
FRAT and add from the Treasurer's
eport, and you will have an idea of
he amount of money the tax-paying :
'eople are paying for its suppress t
ion. Now let US get at the root of 1
his cancer and if successfully &C. =
omplished, we will not have such a r
BAD upon US, but will encourage i'm. a
build churches, school I
ouses, and other improvements a
hen we will be . happy people. <
TAXPAYER,
neutrality-suspicious.