Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-10-05

itory law would be dead letter. Lii
cense, with its limitsd prohibition and
reduced number of places of traffic,
might be enforced, because every dealer
would be interested in the pr0si cutiou Of
unlicensed venGerS. 1t is sometimes sup
posed that a license is sanction by law
of the traffic. 1t this be so, there is
universal license by law now. The re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court on
the Pond law says: "At common law
the traffic in Intoxicating liquors was a
lawful business, and there is nothing in
the Federal or State Constitution which
changes the rule. A license law is IA
limitation of the universal license now
existing by common law.
But there need not be any sanction by
statute. / do not want any. The whole
purpose can be accomplished hy sufli-
cient tax to limit and reduce the number
of dealers. The cause of law, order, and
temperance will be promoted by amend
ing the Constitution. Then let the peo-
pie at our spring elections, free from
party politics, select the form of Law
they desire in each county, until there
shall be some one form of opinion in the
State so united and controlling such
majority as to adopt and enforce gell-
eral law in the best possible form, when
ever that shall become practicable.
There is a body of earnest, honest,
conscientious men in the State, who de-
sire the suppression of the liquor traffic.
Some of them insist upon separate parry
action. They have Prohibition ticket
and candidates. This is unwise.
l. This movement in Ohio can accom-
rNlI .nt f,Nr fh.A Of Ton
ance. If it could command 10000 votes
as it can MOTT is unable to elect a
single member of the Legislature at any
election. and can exert no influence OIL
legislation. 1t is pOwerless for good.
2. IL can become a power for good
not by separate political actiOn-but bV
voting for Republican candidates. do
not say this will bring general prOhibi-
tiOn. 1t will not. 1t will render Re-
publican success dOubly assured, and will
secure the taxation of the liquor traffic
This is progress. If this fails. the fault
and the responsibility will be theirs.
To their conscience and to God must
they answer in case of failure. You can
secure not only this, but all that is prac-
ticable in the modes [ have stated.
8. For more than thirty years in Ohio
separate political action has accomplish
ed nothing for temperance: In other
States where temperance men had the
good judgment To maintain no separate
action. they have accomplished much
through the Republican party.
You should learn wisdom from that
source which teaches that a little leaven
leavens the whole lump. To do this you
must getintO the lump; this is duty. He
who Can do gOOd--sOme good, even if not
all he desires, but because he can not do
all he desires will do none-disregards
the duty to leaven the lump. You should
learn wisdom from the history of the
old Anti-Slavery party. 1t maintained a
separate political organization from 1890
to 1856. 1t saw the folly of separate ac-
tion. In 1856 it disbanded-voted for
| Fremont for President. We failed. In
1860 the effort Was renewed, and victory
was ours. The Republicans of 1855 and
1860 did not propose to do all that the
Anti-Slavery party demanded. The Re
publican party then declared that new
State had the right to establish slavery
and be admitted into the Union as a
slave State. But the leaven was in the
lump, and now there is Il total prohibi-
tion of slavery. What can you accom-
plish by separate political action now?
If you will not aid the Republicans you
may drive them to seek aid from other
sources. If you can save the Republi
cans from defeat, but will not, the only
result will be Democratic success, and
that will be the triumph of the $4,000 sa
looms. You will simply play second i'd
die to the saloons What a spectaclei
Earnest temperance men dancing to the
music of the saIoons-performing the
part of trevet Democrats aiding them
| in crusade for untaxed saloons and for
unrestrained saloon orgies on Sunday.
We invite you to cooperate in a grand
er, holier work.
THE SMITH SUNDAY CLOSING LAW.
The Legislature, at its last session,
enacted the Smith law" Let US con-
slider what this law is, what it is not,
some of the reasons in favor of one day
of rest in seven, and some of the O6jec-
tions urged against the law.
This law imposes fine and impriSon-
ment as penalties against the Sunday
traffic in Intoxicating drinks. This is
the whole of it. The prohibition of
trade and traffic on Sunday is nothing
new.
During our whole history as State
we have had Sunday laws. For more
than half century the traffic in intOxi
eating drinks has beeu especially prOyi-
ded against by statute. The Smith law
merely increases the penalties. Through
our whole history the traffic has been
unlawful and has been prOhibiten by
statutes against common labor.
And now let us see what the law Is
not.
1t neither adopts nor enfOrces any re-
ligiOn or religious creed. The COnstitu-
tien forbids this-it establishes univor-
sal toleration of all forms of religion
and of none. The Christian, the He
brew, and the Freethinker all enjoy the
rights of conscience, of Judgment, and
the equal protection of the law. IL
makes no change in the law us to the
right of people to eat and drink what
they choose or where they choose, Ell
ther on week day or Sunday.
Our Sunday laws establish one day in
seven as a day of rest as civil institu-
tiOn. The Smith law makes no changes
| In its character.
Let us consider some of the reasons
for civil Sabbath as a day of rest and
recreation.
1t is a necessity of eur physical ma
ture-it is so regarded by the medical
faculty, and the usages of every civil
lied people. Six days of incessant toll
by people who labor require day of
rest for weary limbs and body. Six
days of bard thought and study require
day of rest for the weary brain and
mind. Six busy days of labor require
one day to read such matter and think
on such subjects as the judgment may
dictate. Six days of reading and study
and close confinement in doors require
recreation, the enjoyment of Gods sun
shine, the invigOration of pure air, and
the rest afforded by the admiration of
| the heantieS of nature. SIX dnYs of Ia