The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-06-14

radical changes that this first amendment
proposes to make in the powers of the
Legislature are these: First, the repeal
of the no-1icense clause in the present
Constitution, that they may have full
power to license, and second, the limiting
of their power to the regulation" of the
traffic that they may not prohibit. And
from both these points of view we must
contend that this first proposition is
wrong in moral principle, and unworthy
of support.
What now does the second proposition
offer. 1t reads as follows:
1.-THE manufacture and tie traffic in intoxi-
eating liquors to be used as a beverage are for
ever PROHIBITED; and the General Assembly
| shall provide by law for the enforcement of this
| provision" :
Here is something definite and satisfac-
tory, something that satisfies the temper
ance mind, something on which temper
ance men of all parties can agree, some
thing that conforms to divine law and to
gospel teaching. This second amendment
proposes to treat the liquor traffic as a
crime, and to prohibit it forever; so that
| if it is adopted, our Constitution and laws
will be against the entire traffic. If then
any man dares to engage in the manufac-
ture of or traffic in intoxicating liquors as
beverage, he must be treated as a GRIM
lnal, subject to the penalties to be here
| after enacted for the enforcement of this
provision. And the same voice of the
people that votes for constitutional pro-
hibition, will see to it that Legislatures
are elected who will enforce this provis-
ion.
This second amendment proposed to
the Constitution is worthy, and it appeals
to all right-minded and order-loving peo-
pie to support it by their influence their
work, and their votes.
We can afford to repeal the no-license
clause in the Constitution, for the sake of
putting in it's place this second amend
ment which includes all the good in the
no-license clause. and offers more and
better things for temperance-even the
total prohibition Of the traffic forever.
This second proposition, if adopted,
will settle the policy of the
State with reference to rum. 1t will be a
constitutional specific that will define it's
own policy, and Legislatures elected un-
der it, of whatever political party they
may be, will enact laws for the enforce
ment of this provision, simply as part
of the duty of their office under the Con-
stitution, and not as a partisan measure.
The way to get the temperance ques-
ton out of politics, is to get it into the
Constitution in such way that the Con-
stitution itself shall define the policy of
the State on this question-not by passing
such an indefinite clap-trap of measure
as this first proposition, that would put
everything in the hands of the Legisla-
ture, only as it opens up the way to Ii
cense, and blocks up the way to prohibi-
tion, but by passing this second amend
ment, which is a clear-cut prohibitory
measure, defining the policy of the State
for all time, to uproot and prohibit the
| liquor traffic as a criminal and an outlaw
to society. This second amendment is
worthy. Support it. Vote for it; for this
is the way to get the temperance question
out of politics, and to get out ON Gods
side and on heavens side, with benedic-
tions resting upon the State and upon the
| Nation.
Let US unite all our temperance forces
for the carrying of this second PROPOSE
tion. The liquor interests are unit, and
they carry their points by the perfect
union of their forces. Shall not temper
ance men from all political parties be a
unit for this second amendment? 1t is a
matter of thanksgiving that this question
comes before us not as a party measure,
! but as an amendment question by itself
great moral question upon which men
are called to vote their convictions ire
spectiye of party lines. Let men vote
| their political party tickets as.they choose,
but on this second amendment let all tenn
perance men from every party, all men
who love law, order and right, vote q
whole-souled, united Eyes" One hopeful
feature of our cause is this, that however
much men may differ on political opin-
ions, and however much men may differ
on other methods of temperance legisla-
ton, all temperance men of every politi-
cal faith agree in this, that the prohibi-
ton of the liquor traffic is right; and if
we all unite on this basis of the prohibi-
tory amendment, and work hand in hand
for this one thing, ours shall be the vic
tory.
But we must work. Wives and moth
ers must use their influence with those
nearest and dearest to them to persuade
them to vote right on this question.
Young women must make their influence
felt with the young men with whom they
associate to encourage them to vote right
on this question. Men in old age, in mid
die life, and in young manhood, are called
not only to be true to God at the ballot
box, but also to be earnestly at work all
through the campaign to get their neigh
bors and friends to vote for this second
proposition. Even the children may have
a part in this work; for many strong
man will be won to the right by the plea
of little child more than by the argu-
ment of mature age. And if thus we all
work unitedly together throughout the
campaign, with Gods blessing on our Ia
bors, we will succeed.
Let us work in faith, nothing doubling
for no work is worth much without the
the inspiration of faith in it. Let us have
faith in the people. Already twice in our
State with the press mostly on the other
side of the question, have the people
when brought to the test of the ballot
thundered out, mo license to the liquor
truficw And it is very much this same
spirit in the people that will in October
thunder out, prohibition forever" Moth.
ing in our Nation has gained so much
strength within the last five years as the
prohibition sentiment. Five years age
the fem nnrance nueStion scarcely created