Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-03-22
Wednesday. march 22 1882
WOODSTOCK. VIRGINIA.

We publish an article npon general
prohibition in this issue. We can agree
with the writer in part, fJr we are IN
favor of any and of ali means which
may be adopted TO restrict or preven,
the sale of Intoxicating liquors. In
favoring them, we think we are acting
for the interest OF every class of our
people, ever for that Of TIE rumseller,
who is selling his soul to the devil IN
very minute atoms, at the rate of ten
cents apiece, for a few years use OF
money which will prove a curae TO
himself and greater one TO his chill
dren. Our people who favor local OPP
ton are we believe in favor of pro- ibi-
ton. We however differ from our cor
respondent IN bis opinion that those
who do approve local option would favor
prohibition. 1t may be tue of some,
but we believe that tins is only one OF
the ways by which many of the friends
of the whisky traffic oppose every
measure calculated 10 restric; the sale
of intoxicating liquors.
THAT is local option Il Is nicely
giving the people of any county, dis
trlct or corporation, the privilege of
saying whether liquor shall be sold in
their respective counties. districts or
corporations. 1t is light that every
community should have. We can pro-
tect ourselves against smallpox or
other diseases. but is 1t light to deny
the people The power 10 protect Them
selves ard their families from an evil
that destroys more lives, and produces
more misery and suffering than the
smallpox: Arc we 10 Hesitate because
tie discontiuuance Of the quor traffic
would dtpreciate the value OF properly
whose present value is dependent upon
the amount of liquor sold? As well
might we license the sale Of goods i'm
fec,cd With smallpox or other fatal
diseases, because the destruction Of tie
goods would destroy property. Local
option. 1t is tvue, is mild remedy,
but it has done much good in other
counties and it will accomplish good
here. Ii throws the ponsibilny upon
the people. If the majority Of tie
people If this county vote for tie pro-
hib.iOn Of the liquor traffic in the
county, we do not fear that people from
the country will bring it to town and
give 1t away in order TO make drunk
ards. re may not be able TO prevent
drunkenness, but We can imit The
amount used. AS well say that we
shall not have laws against murder,
because people are murdered in spite
OF the law. Let us have the law and
then let US have officers WHO will faith.
fully enforce lie law, and The people
can judge for themselves, whether it is
COOL or evil.
We do not oppose prohibition, We
are 10 favor Of it, and at The same time
We favor every measure calculated to
resnict tie tiaAic. Let tie voice oil the
people lie Eeard If they say the
Traffic shall 60 on, We must submit. II
they say that it mast stop, We are 10
favor Of using every means which the
law gives US 10 enfoice their decision.
1t can be done. We are in favor of
accomplishing The work without making
it political question, but if we cannot
get the law without eloc'ing our rcp-
resentalile' upon this issue. we are in
favor OF nakirg ii the issue and OF
voting for only such men as will use
their II huence 10 protect their consti-
tuents from the curse % whisky selling.
TIL pr Op!e ale aroused upou this ques,
ton as they have never been bef re.
and they intend to n>hi 10 The butter
end. If whlsky-selhng gain The victory
in Virginia it will only sc sfter ever,
means 70 prevent it have been OK.
h usttd by t'le people. Let lie voice
o? tn people prevail. We ore willing
to alb de- by tie decisi0u.