The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-10-20
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
REPLY TO Liberal OPTION"

Messrs. Editors Your correspondent, "Liberal
OPTION, in your issue of the 9th instant, to
be person of intelligence and in his way pleas
ant and easy. But he is very evidently unac-
quainted with the great subject of temperance
it has appeared before the public for the past
twenty years. His arguments against popular
local option old stale and have been refuted
over and over again. For the sake of some who
may read his statements, and like him may not
have seen their refutation, allow very brief reply
He contends that we have no right to egislate
on the subject of prohibition. Does he mean that
because man may 60 to great cost in the pur-
chase of property, and fitting it up, he follow
what business he pleases and anywhere? 1t seems
so from his argument Suppose fit up proper
ty at great cost Washington's Monument to
open slaughter house. Will not the law stop
me? Meat is more necessary than whisky or rum.
If then open soap and candle factory | am
quickly informed that it cannot be allowed. Soap
and candles are really necessity and of great
good. Beer and rum are not. If next attempt
a powder mill, the neighborhood grows mad and
stops Powder is useful thing, but wine and
brandy far destructive of health and life.
To stop the manufacture and sale of liquors he
contends would be loss, great loss to many
True. But if destructive to health life prosperi-
ty, it must be done. The abolition of slavery was
great loss to many, but the life Of the Nation de-
manded it and it done.
He tells us that to abolish the manufacture of
liquors would increase taxation. Here he is ter
ribly at fault. The testimony of judges of crimi-
nal courts, of sherfs, jailors, and all others best
qualified to judge, is that nine tenths of crime,
paupersm and the like are caused by intemper-
Suppress liquors and the cost of our courts,
jails, poor houses, insane asyums, &C., would so
greatly lessen that taxpayers would soon feel the
benefit in their meagre taxes. This has been
tried. Facts prove it.
He tells us to suppress intemperance "by per-
sons learning how to govern, restrain and control
themselves" He don't seem to know that this
plan has been tried for many long years and has
proved failure. There are thousands who have
tried in every way to control themselves, but could
not. Nothing short of local option, which puts it
away from them, can cure save them. Even
them so terrible is the hold drunkenness has upon
them that some will have it, even if they must get
it by stealth and the evasion of the law.
We don't expect local option law to cure all.
The best laws against stealing, gambling, murder,
&C., will be eyaded by some. But they do pre-
vent crime, Notwithstanding.
While all other occupations, allowed by law, may
is of no benefit whatever. 1t has not one redeem
ing quality. 1t is evil, only evil, and that con-
tinually. Where local option prevails the facts
are apparent that the moral and social condition
of the people is greatly enhanced. Crime is less
ened to great extent.
The aim of the local option advocates is to keep
it out of politics. Thus far they have succeeded.
But if it cannot be had in any other way then
politics or any other lawful thing to secure it.
OCCASIONAL.