The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-01-13
A Good Law Def1ed.

|
| A Good Law Defied. .-
From the Castroviile Quill.
We opposed the Sunday law, and
fought it; we opposed the Bell Punch
law and fought it; we doubt the ex-
pediency and efficacy of absolute pro-
hibitory laws; but such enactments as
look to the protection of society and
the fixing criminal responsibility where
it belongs, we have always supported,
and we ever shall support. .a
There is one. law on our statute
books that should be vigorously en-
forced, and yet it is openly defed, and
shamelessly trampled under foot. Off
GERS of the law who are brave to face
death upon the field, and unrelenting
IN the pursuit of murderers, stand
abashed when urged to execute this
law, though the violation Of it is breed
ing murderers and thieves every day,
and bringing shame, disgrace and sor-
row in thousands of households.
1t is hardly necessary for US to say
that we refer to the law forbidding the
sale of intoxicating liquors to minors.
1t will not suffice for the good men
and women to cry out against and for
the press to denounce the moral enor-
nifty of the ohfense, for the man who is
so far lost to all sense ofmoral obliga-
ton, as for the sake of a few paltry
dimes, to start young boy on career
of damnation-steal his senses with a
portion of the damnable stuff, and then
steal his money to pay for twill
never be influenced to the good except
as he is forced to do so. Nothing but
the strong arm of the law, the never
let-go grip of justice will stay such
creatures from breaking the law and
robbing parents oftheir richest treasures
far greater than gold or silver-their
children and their children's purity and
their honor. , -. 49,
When one arrives at mans estate,
| when boyhood is passed, then one be-
comes responsible, or is supposed to,
Though it is often a violent suppose
tion) and such persons are presumed
to be able to take care of themselves.
But the law wisely throws a guard
around the youth of the land and tries
to shield them from the gilded hells
which contain so many traps for the
unwary, and it is the duty of every
good citizen, and pre-eminently so of
every good officer, to see that such a
righteous law is vigorously enforced.
The sale of intoxicating liquors to
minors is crime: it is more fruitful
of murder, theft and all offences known
to the law than any other one thing,
for it is those who commence young
that prove to be the worst.
1t is the boy, the youth, who
are attracted to the saloon,
spurred on by a false sense of man.
hood; oftentimes the noble son of a
prayerful mother and faithful father,
who commence thus to absorb crime
at every pore, and are fast educated in
all the ways of crime. And disgrace
to the boy always deals death to the
mothers heart and frosts the fathers
head with sorrow. ... d e.
Let the men drink if they will; let
them beat their wives and make home
miserable; let them SOW the wind and
reap the whirlwind; let them suffer and
die-the laws which men enact allow
and license all this. But do protect
and save the youth; do stand by the
boys. They are the hope of the coun-
try, the foundation of the superstruc-
ture. l......
| The law upon this subject in Texas
is a good one. All it needs is en-
forcing. Why is it not done? -- "
i Because the saloons control too
many votes, and you can hardly ever
see an officer but what uses his office
to electioneer for the next race.
Shame upon such cowardice! En-.
force the law protecting the boys, of
ficers; they will live to bless you for it.
i We call upon all district judges to
charge the grand juries strongly upon
this law, and we call upon the grand
juries and prosecuting attorneys to dc
their duty.