The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-06-05

TIE Senator be punished for IT, for he was not 10
blame, 1t was his own fanlt. The Senator re-
tired from politics and died in q few years of
broken heart
A quarter Of century ago a gentleman was
elected to the United States from q border South
ern State. He soon took high rank, and was the
only man from the South that could "cope i"
with Douglas in the debate on the LecAmpton
controversy. His speeches electrified the South
and astoDished every one. They were able, bril-
liant and eloquent. He was "treated and toasted !"
by admiring friends, The temptations of the
debauchee and died in a short time drunkard.
About the same time there appeared a Young
man In Congress from one of the Northwestern
States, member of the House. He was able.
learned, brilliant and eloquent, and soon had a
host OF admiring friends His speeches on the
slavery question astonished every one. The anti
slavery papers were loud 10 their praise While
flushed with his brilliant debut in Congress he
was allured by the wine cup, became drunkard.
and in consequence failed TO. secure a re election
He died short time ago an inmate of a poor
house
Such are some of the baleful effects" of in.
toxicating liquors. Can the liquor dealers show
single instance where temperance or temper
ance legislation has had so "balcful effect" on
individuals, a State or nation
The liquor dealer. an their circular say :
More than one-half of those who annually visit
known that their personal liberty in the selection
of beverages is abridged by arbitrary enact
ments."
Maine, for over quarter of century, has had
stringent prohibitory liquor law, and we hear
Of no ." baleful effect" and nobody leaving the
State in consequence The annual flow of sum-
mer visitors there is now greater than ever be-
fore.
In Iowa, since 1856, intoxicating liquors. ex-
cept vine, beer and cider, have been prohibited
from being sold as beverage. They can only
be obtained for medical, mechanical and culinary
purposes person who wishes to purchase has
| 10 register his name and state what purpose the
liquor is to be used for. The State is rapidly in
creasing N wealth and population, beautiful
| towns and cities are springing up churches and
school-bouses erected, railroads being built and
fine farms being made all over the State Kan
sas has a similar law, and we hear of no bale
| ful effects there.
| The liquor dealers say 4" the transitory triumph
of fanatics and bgots will be more far reaching
in their ill-etfects than the authors of the law
intended or supposedY"
Why are men who believe that there should
be restraint by law in the sale of intoxicating
liquors denounced as fanatics and bigots ?'
When men resort to branding with epithets those
who differ with them in opinions, il shows a
weakness in their cause, and that they are desti-
tute of arguments and facts to sustain their opin-
ions or principles
Great physicians tell US that the " use OF in
toxicating liquors weaken the bowels and spoil
the digestion; they destroy the power of the
nerves and occasion paralytic and cOnvulsive dis
orders. Hence distractions, atrophes, dropsies
and consumptions of the lungs" Intoxicating
liquors heat and intiame the blood and tear the
tender vessels of the lungs to pieces" With
these facts before us how can any man truly say
that the restraining of the sale of liquor to be
used as beverage can have any "baleful effect"
on community, State or nation?
What is the law that the liquor dealers are so
much incensed over? Iti briefly this person
wishing to sell liquor in any community in this
State must presenta petition, signed by majority
OF voters in the election precinct where he wishes
to sell, to the Board of County Commissioners
OF his county, in order to obtain license or per
NIT to SELL The petition and names have to be
published in paper in the county, and if none,
then by posting copy at the county site and
one at the election precinct of the district wherein
such license is sought for the space of two weeks
The law provides that no person +" shall sell any
liquors, wines or beer to any minor or any per-
son in a state of intoxicaton." These are the
main features of the law. 1t acknowledges the
great principle of local self-government, taught
by Douglas and other Democratic statesmen
The people OF each election precinct have right
to say whether they want liquor sold ia it or not
and who shall sell it. Can there be any "baleful
effects arising from allowing majority of the
voters in each precinct to govern in this matter!
Then why this hue and cry by the liquor dealers
that personal liberty in the selection of bever-
ages is abrdge by arbitrary enactments?' ~
H c. RIPPEY