Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-08-10
grou Guunty gegister.
INTEMPERANCE.
Opinions and Reflections.

There are some facts connected will
this subject that are admitted by near
ly everybody. One is that drunken
ness is a great evil that Injuries society
not only the individuals, but other
directly and indirectly, rendering life
person and property insecure. This
premise being admitted, the unavoida
BILE corollary follows, viz: tits the duty
of the State-the law authorities to at
tend to it, the only question being the
method of treating it-whether by law
regulating it or prohibiting it. There
is a great diversity of opinion among
good and honest people on this subject
"of the best manner of treating the
evil"
Public sentiment has been so exas-
perated by the infinite troubles, the
"woes unnumbered," originating in
this evil that there is danger of run
ming to the opposite extreme OF using
means that are dangerous, and thus
Of "fiying to ills" greater still.
1t is the duty of all statesmen, patri-
OTIS and philanthropists to find and fol-
low the golden medium. But" says
one, "is there golden medium in
drunkenness" No; but there is in the
means of regulating it.
Some are in favor of passing laws on
ly to punish the wrongs committed by
drunkards; others say prohibit even
the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
ing drinks. One says we ought to at
tend to the effects; the other says we
ought to remove the cause. One says,
"You can't infringe upon my personal
liberty" the other says, " When pub
lie welfare demands it, my duty COM
pels Inc to attend to it," One says,
"You shall not pass sunptuary laws
regulating my. morals;" the other re-
plies, "When your conduct Injuries me,
by violence or taxation, then 1 claim
the right of legal protection"
Now we know government is consti-
tuted by each individual surrendering
a portion of his personal rights for the
public good; and its motto is, or should
be, "the greatest good to the greatest
number" And the golden medium
will be found in this, as in all the sub
jects of legislation, in following this
rule.
But how shall we ascertain the
truth? What will result in the great
est good to the greatest number? Who
shall decide?
Some say the majority of the people
shall rule; others say majorities may
be tyrsnical as well as individuals.
One party says, Man is created with
an appetit. for intoxicants, and you
can't eradicate it by legislation-all
you can do is to regulate it's effects"
The other party says, 1--WE have tried
that by laws granting licenses and reg
ulating them. Still the evil continues"
"Yes," says the other; land they have
tried prohibition, too, in Maine, Kansas
and other States, and even that doesn't
better it, according to reports. In fact,
they say it has only demoralized the
people by compelling them to evade
the law-to lie, cheat and stealth Or
der to get strong drink, and crafty
this natural appetite" "But," says
the other, "there are two sides to this
report-while it is q failure in some
places, chiefly where the people were
opposed to its enactment, still where 1t
has been observed, obeyed and execut-
ed it is a success, according to the best
information. And its partial failure
only shows the necessity of first con-
yineing them that it is injurious to the
public as we'll as to individuals, and
our present laws on the subject have
proven Intellectual in remedying the
evil.n
"Stop-stop dot, mine frents BOTH"
says the good-natured Teuton. "Come,
you all drinks beer nit me; dot is all
time goot. Stop dot fuss, and stop Wis
ky, doc; we all drunken beer, kase beer
is all time goot." ''So!" says the 9TH
er; shut beer is not strong enough for
some"
ayes" says the Brewerymen's Asso-
citation; Substitution is the doctrine.
Substitute light drinks for stronger
ones-malted and brewed for distilled
that's it. More especially as the for
mer are healthy and do not intoxicate;
besides they constitute an immense
revenue, whilst prohibition would de-
stroy all the wealth that is invested in
these things, and deprive all engaged
in their employment. But" restorts
Mr.. B., 81 say it isn't strong enough.
/ wouldn'tgive you cent for your beer
and ale; it is good only SO far as it has
alcohol in it. l want mine straight
genuine or not at ALL"
ave all know" says A, that beer
and ale, and even wines, are less injur-
ious than whisky; still they will intox-
icate If you take enough of them.
Moraover the use of these all create n