The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-09-08
SECOND AAIENDMENr ONLY

I'VE give worthy citizen hearing on
the second amendmenG, without endOrs-
ing or being espOnsible.-ED. DEM.
The second amendment convention
held in Canton on Saturday, Sept. 1st,
was represented by upwards of ninety
delegates, from all parts of the county,
composed of some of our best, most in
dustriOus and enterprising citizens
from all the political parties in the
county, The business was transacted
with perfect harmony, not a jaTring
word was uttered, and all seemed deter
mined to exert themselves to the extent
of their ability for the success of the
second amendment only, irrespective of
party, and this is just as it should be.
Hon. Mills Gardner, speaking on this
subject, says: THE discussions Of these
questions are, as they ought to be, en-
tlrely free from any connection with
any political party. No man Is asked to
compromise his political preferences,
either as to parties or candidates, in vO-
ting OH these propositions. Each of the
great political parties is divided in sem
tlment on these questions. They are
rlghtfully out of the party contest. There
are men in each of the parties represent
ing all shades of opinion and views on
this question. There are thousands of
Republicans and Democrats who are
firm in their belief that prohibition is
the road to success in suppressing the
evils of the liquor traffic. In this move
ment they are free to vote in accordance
with their desire, without in the least
compromising their party or their ella
lions to 1T. We come to the people not
as partisans, nor in the interest or pref
udice of any party; seeking only to do
that which Will be for the interests of
the whole people, and to relieve political
parties from the embarrassment of a
question which is much more vexatiOus
than pleasant. If all the voters in Ohio
who desire to see the saloon and its
diretul influences abolished, who are
really at heart in favor of the prohibit
tiOn of the drink traffic, will, without
bias or prejudice, follow the dictates of
their judgments and wishes, the second
amendment will be adopted by very
large majority; and ii adopted, so much
Will daily grow in favor and popularity,
that it will forever be the organic out
lawry of this worst of evils, and will be
the means of protecting the generations
to come from the ruinOus influences to
which our young men are now exposed.
No party dares or will combat cOnstitu.
tiOnal law. They all alike try to con-
form their platforms of principles to its
hAohuhNOos hD ACoAobhllCo W
tiOnal law is individual, not party.
Should the second amendment be adopt
Ell there will be no danger of its enforce
ment, no matter what party succeeds to
power. The will of the people, who only
are the constitution makers, will al
ways be respected. The General Assem-
bly,, like constitutions, is elected by the
ballots Of the people; so that Legislators
could not, IL they wished, disregard the
will of those who put them in power.
When it shall have been adopted, each
party will try to be foremost in their
adhesion to it, and be OutspOken in IA
VOr of all that the second amendment
claims. Political parties are wonderful
in their devotion to constitutions, and
are always first to denOunce infractiOns
in other parties.
Does 1t pay?
Does 1t pay to permit one citizen to
sell liquor to another who, under its in
huence, commits crime of every shade,
even to murder, and thus cOmpels the
government to incur the expense of
jails, penitentiaries and gallOws?
Does 1t pay to permit the liquor traffic
to exist for the revenue derived by tax
or license, when we can see that the
houses and penitentiaries with the
wrecks of The traffic?
Does it pay to permit the dram shops
to exist, even though they pay tax or
license of from one Thousand to five
thousand dollars annually, when we see
that the traffic transforms our bright,
active and intelligent boys into lOafers,
sOts aud criminals of desperate char
acterp
Does it pay to permit the liquor
traffic to exist for the sake of ten times
- n
that 1t cOmpels worthy innocent fami-
lies to live on bone soup and half ra-
tiOns, and be but poorly clad, while the
saloOnist fares sumptuously every day
and is clothed in purple and fine
linenp"
Does it pay to have the noble State Of
Ohi0.giving permits to the liquor traffic
in the form of tax or license, be the
amount ever so high, when we see daily
its legitimate work in blasted and ruined
homes, crushed hopes, broken hearts,
disgraced children and the misery of
peTditiOn on earth?
Does it pay to permit the dram shops
to exist, even though they should fur
nish revenue enough to pay ali the ex-
penses Of the government, and our
school system too, when we see that
they corrupt morals, debase politics,
break the Christian Sabbath, defy both
Divine and human laws, defeat justice,
and trample upon everything that is
pure and right in our grand country?
Does it payp This is the serious ques-
tiOn put to every voter this fall, and
must be answered.
Be candid, be honest in giving your
verdict on this question.
Give the liquor traffic credit for all
the good it has and is doing for the pub
lie, then charge the traffic with ali the
damage, expense and ruin it inficts. Be
sure that every entry is made both in
favor and against the traffic. Then
strike the balance, and il honestly you
find the traffic has credit in its favor,
then support it by your votes whether
for tax or license. But if you find that
in posting up the account the liquor
traffic produces more evil than it can
ever overcome by any tax or license, no
difference how high, then, as an honest
man, no difference what party you be-
long to, it is your duty to your home,