The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-19


For the Central Presbyterian
Legislation Against Intemper-
ance.
1st. Such legislation is allowable. The
objection that it interferes with individ-
ual liberty is not sound. All legislation
against crime interferes with individual
liberty. Liberty to do right is precious
boon, but the liberty which leads to in
temperance ought to be restricted as
much as possible. To be allowed to in
Jure either oneself or others, is something
which no man can claim as a right. It
is intemperance which interferes with
liberty, as every drunkards wife knows
to her cost. Away with that statesman
ship which has more regard for itself as
science, than for the welfare and protec-
ton of the people. Any legislation
which will diminish intemperance, is al
lowable, and consistent with American
liberty.
End. Such legislation is necessary.
Many an island in the South Pacific has
been desolated by the introduction of
liquor-the simple inhabitants in brief
time-llterally drinking themselves into
extinction. Who would not in such a
case, have been In favor of absolute pro-
hlbltlon, no matter how many pretended
rights were trampled upon And yet
we have people among us, Just as help>
less and in need of protection, as such
poor and degraded islanders The young,
the low whites, and the ignorant negroes,
constitute a large part of every com
munlty, and we are bound to take care
of them.
3rd, Such legislation is practicable.
Public sentiment approves of it as
means against intemperance and is call
ing for 1T. Our legislation on this sub
Jectis far behind public sentiment. Fifty
persons IN community interested in the
profits of some vice, can make more noise
and stir on its behalf, than five thousand
good citizens, who want it restrained, but
who do not know how to 90 to work to
have the laws enforced. But there is a
remedy; let these citizens-many of them
ladies OF wealth-act through an organi-
zatlon, raise funds, and keep half dozen
able lawyers in constant employment, to
watch and prosecute transgressors, and
they will soon secure the enforcement of
the laws. This plan has been tried, and
it has succeeded
4th. Such legislation is effective The
tax upon liquor, during the past year, in
the country at large, amounted to one
dollar and half per head of the popula-
ton; in the State of Maine it amounted
to only three cents per head. This un-
doubtedly represents the falling off pro-
duced by legislation. The idea that men
will find liquor when they want it-that
If they cannot get it at one place, they
will get 1t at another-is misleading.
Nine-tenths of the intemperance is the
result of impulse rather than of delibera-
ton. Most persons who become intoxi-
Gated owe their fall to the temptations
placed Immediately in their way-to the
company of the drinking friends-and
the convenience of the drinking place.
Few prepare for excess, by sending to a
distance and buying at wholesale none
begin in this way. A bar-room generates
intemperance, just as the gathering of
scattered Goals generates fire The peo-
pie who come to the bar-room encourage
and increase the drinking, just as the
people who come to the church, encour-
age and increase the piety. If an addi-
tional bar-room will do no additional
harm, then an additional Christian will
do no additional good If it be asked,
why not establish another, since people
can get all they want from the places
already established, it may also be asked
why have any more Christians, since peo-
pie can see the gospel adorned by those
we already have? The truth is, that
every check upon the manufacture and
sale diminishes consumption. Every ad-
ditional Christian, like every additional
candle, increases the light; and every ad-
ditional bar-room increases the drinking.
These things being So we move that
there be Legislation against intemperance.
w. E. B.