Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-03-15
Correspondence.
CENTRALIA, Wood Co. Wis. !
March 10th, 1883. {

connection with it. Much has already
been said on the subject, still the ter
rible curse goes on. The effects of
which have very forcibly been shown
by Mr.. A. B.. Richmond, a prominent
criminal lawyer, of Meadville, Pa,
in publication of his, the title of
which is ''Leaves taken from the diary
of an old Lawyer" This work tho
small contains more to advance the
cause of temperance than any have
ever read on the subject 1t shows so
clearly what the sale of intoxicating
drink is doing all over the country.
This is but the experience of one, no
doubt but that of all lawyers have
been much the same in this respect.
Mr.. Richmond is man with whom
| was personally acquainted in my
younger days, we both being raised in
the same city. And [ know him to
be man of superior abilities as a
lawyer and one Of moral worth and
integrity. [ have confidence in what
he says. In this he narrates what he
has witnessed in our court rooms and
prisons, also what prisoners have said
TO him. The narratives [ will not
repeat, but using his own words tell
you what he considers the direct cause
of nearly all the crimes committed in
our country. He says:
"My experience satisfies me that
liquor selling is the direct cause Of
nearly all the crimes committed in our
country. [ have been at the bar for
over 80 years, have been engaged in
nearly 1000 criminal cases, and on
mature reflection, am satisfied that
nearly 5000 of those cases have origi-
mated from the liquor traffic alone, and
that great proportion of the remain
der could be traced directly or
indirectly to the same great source Of
crime. That out of Sc cases of homi-
eide 43 were caused by the maddening
influence of strong drink, showing
that this traffic alone is productive Of
more crimes than all other causes put
together"
Men what think you Of this? You
who have taken the whole responsible
ity upon yourselves from its commence
ment, ought to hang your heads with
shame and remorse at the ruinous
work you have been doing, and the
heart aches and misery which you
have caused. The case is too plain to
admit Of controversy that all the
crimes committed by those under the
influence of liquor is chargeable to
you, you have licensed the sale of
them year after year, with all the evil
consequences staring you in the face.
What must the feelings Of fathers be
when the pitifnl and tear-stained faces
? of their children are turned toward
them, and in pleading tones hear them
begging to save them from the dread
full doom of a felons cell. Hearing
the words from their young lips. |
did not know what I was doing, | was
under the influence Of liquor. Yes
fathers under the influence of what
your votes placed in the hand Of
saloon keepers to sell to your children
when you are taking the farewell look
into the sorrowful eyes, and clasping
E the hands that you have so often
pressed to your lips with love and
; care. now stained with human blood.
, How must you feel when the part
which you have taken in their ruin
comes up before you. Poor victim Of
this accursed traffic, who, had it not
been for this, would no doubt be limo
cent of crime, and honored and
J respected members Of society, but
now with felons brand upon THEN
brow they must be left to spend, if not
the whole remainder of their life
enough of it to forever ruin and dis
v grace them in State Prison. This i!
V not mere picture, every newspaper
e nearly that we take up, contains The
: murder of wives by husbands, childrci
q by parents, and parents by childrea
all by the influence of strong drink
g Oh that the burning tears of shame
q and remorse might burn their wa,
. through to the hearts of men, tina
. they might be brought to a realizin!
4 sense Of what they have been, ant
d still are doing, in regard to this matter
# Is it any wonder that women ar
n getting their eyes open to the wrong
% they are suffering at your hands
) Shorn of the power to protect. the
+bo1r b,,r h. Il