Omaha daily bee., 1882-09-23
A Mischieyous Movement,

N. Y. Times
The prohibition movement 10 GER
tainly fonded on misconception of the
proper mean Of promoting moral aud
social reform. No intelligent and up
right citizen denies or depreciates the
evils of iutemperance or the need OF
re strictiug them, but there is a wide
difference of opinion, may be it il u
question that cannot be settled by law
or by pollt,bB. Each citizen has n
right to bis individual conviction and
his personal practice until his opinion
has changed or his habits interfere
with tho rights of Others or the gem
ersl good Of the community. Unbe-
lievers in total abstinence, and they
are many and for the most part re-
spectacle, will never admit the right
of others, though a majority, to con-
troll their opinions or practices. Laws
which have not this sanction will not
be respected and cannot be generally
enforced.
The greatest evil wrought by pro.
hibitory laws is the dlsrespect which
they tend &c foster for law generally.
They are evaded, and their operation
Ia defeated by mon ordinarily disposed
to be peaceable and law-abiding. The
consequence il lessering of respect
for authority and u teaching of tho
pernicious Lesson that laws arc to
be obeyed only under compul-
sion. The evil effect is pro-
duced not only on tho aubiects of
the law but on its ministers and
agests. They find their attempts to
enforce q statute futile, and they boz
come lax in their efforts, and the eli.
tire administration of law IL demoral.
lied. No prohibltory liquor law has
ever been enforced in a populous COM
munity, or even cal be, but these
enectments foster deceit and unworthy
tricks, and gave an evil aspect to prao.
tees that withoet them would ba
harmless. 1t is doubtful If they di.
minish the manufacture and consump-
ton of liquoIs except in restricted To-
calities, aud II 10 certain that they do
not materially lessen intemperauCe in
cities, where It's evils are chiefly felt
Experience and reason both tell u'
That attenp ts 10 suppress tho traffic
in Intoxicating liquors viii not only
DO futile, but wal entail upon thu
community evils Of which 40 adequat>
compensation Il wrought,
II prOhibllory laws tend to weaken
the popular regard for law, prohibi'
tory constitutions will tend 30 weaken
the popular respect for the very baslt
Of government. IL rs a perllOus thing
To bring constitutions IN cOEtempI
with people who have no purpose ol
wish at variance With the security anc
well being Of tho state, The law abid
ing pplrlt can be fostered only by thu
maintenance of laws which oOmman(
the reppecr AMI ready allegiance o
tho great body Of citizens. IL 10 Thu
spiriV OF the people rather than tn
machinery Of administration tina
must be relied ON TO maize Legislation
Elective, Hence this movement il
the west for embodying pro
hibitory amendments in the stat
constitutions can only be- re-
earded as mischisyous. IL has brough
y disturbing element into polite
which Yili do.snge the position {
p2rJle5 on more imp,r5aut quest ons
Doubtless il will havs TO work itse!
out with s1oh consequences as . ma
IjuiIy OF tns people mag sec lit TO in
vi q.
WouLp nc be with ut ~Itediing's Eussi
L q ~ - ~ -.-ltnL IL I'll mLa ~ 4