The Russellville Democrat., 1882-07-27
Strong Language.

| I v gently announced that it would ops pose the prohibition movement in Missouri, which declaration called forth a letter from Rev. Dr. ". G. Elliott, of St Louis, one of the pur- est christians and most eminent di- vines in the United States. In his letter, Dr. Elliott makes use of the following forcible language, which is applicable to every state in the Union as well as Missouri.
 Strict enforcement of the laws as they now are, with such additional enactments as the police require to secure obedience to them, would in all probability prevent further and what may be called extreme action by the friends of Temperance. But the present seeming impossibility of enforcing the laws, the tremendous power of the dramshop interests and It's arbitrary exercise, in all the cities and towns, are forcing even moderate men to the ultimate appeal. The prevailing curse Of lntemper- ance is not we'll expressed by saying that "some weddings make sots and hogs of themselves. It reaches pulpit, bar and bench; it IS found in hut and palatial mansion; it is un- dermining the moral and physical health of the young and destroying the peace of thousands of homes; it fills our warehouses, jails, peniten- tiaries, aims houses, asylums and hospitals. On week days and Sun days, under the law or in defiance of the law, in every part of every town and city, its terrible records are found. It is the exciting and sus- taining cause of gambling and licen- tiousness and every kind of disor- derly conduct. It gives the chief work to police officers and courts, and is, in one way or another, four fold greater cost to the community by direct outlay than can be offset by all the boasted "industries" it con- tributes to support. The State be- comes poor Tn proportion to the prey alence of the use of intoxicating drinks. The whole community is demoralized by the same cause and in like degree, and is apparently un- conscious of the source from which the evil comes, We need to be reused up from thls fatal indifer- ence, and by some means or other the awakening must come.
 I have myself always doubted the wisdom of absolute prohibition, and partly because it cannot be fully en- forced. But it could be enforced as, easily and as we'll as the present laws are actually enforced, and it is urged that we might be making greater gain on the whole.
 Now, unless I am greatly mistaken the movement has fairly begun in Missouri to try what different kind of legislation will accomplish. It is beginning to be understood that the gain from the manufacture of intoxi eating drinks and from taxation for it's sale is nothing to the losses that come from it's prevalent use. Let the question be fairly brought be- fore the people, and the decision of Iowa may be repeated here,
 I am not seeking, Mir. Editor, to answer your strongly urged argu- ments, but only to call your stten- tion and that of your readers to the facts as they are. am myself in- by nature and education, to all extreme measures, and am an advocate of the largest liberty to the individual consistent with the gen eral welfare. But there comes q point when the legislator is compell ed to interfere. Is it not coming with us? The same right of self-pro tection which justifes the invasion of liberty by law of vaccination, or by the suppression of nelghborhood nuisances. will surely be invoked for the suppression Of all liquor traf- fic unless things are greatly changed for the better and laws of wholesome restraint effectual!y applied.