The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-28

of our national existence. l still think I
grasp distinction" JOHN Il. CONNER.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec q. ... .. ..,..
Some Phases of the Temperance Reform.
10 che Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
We all know that it is much easier to de-
nounce an evil than it is to correct or remove
it. Wisdom is defined to be the best means
to the best end As to the end to be reached
all can be wise, but as to the best way to that
end, all are not wise. 1t is by long expert
ence that we find the wisest course to be pur-
sued. All reforms move slowly, and perhaps
this is WELL because all reforms gather
around them men who are actuated by sell
fish motives who. in the end, are an injury
to the cause; or men of hasty and precipi-
to+o e .,if fls3uE s4IaeErs,se
.s i action. who are likeiy' -. - society
in greater evils than the one sought to be
removed hence all reformatory movements
must nave time for the wsest and best men
in society to recognize the real merits of the
reform.
1t is my conviction that a majority of the
wisest and best men and women of this nation
have reached the conclusion that the cause
of temperance is just and noble and that it
must not be abandoned, and that they will
not desert it until the whisky power is de-
throned and society made sober and free.
1t is an old aphorism that vigilance is the
price of liberty" if SO, agitation is the price
of reform. have within the last few
months read with very great pleasure and
profit the discussion of the many phases of
the temperance question in the Journal.
have heard of a place called towards
Castle" 1t is defined to be that pulpit or
that platform from which man surrounded
bv his friends in the absence of his oppo-
nents, and secure of applause and safe from
a reply, denounces those who differ from
him" / must congratulate the Journal as
being no 'Coward's Castle" on the question
of temperance, and certainly this Is the
wisest course to be pursued. Let us have
free and full discussion of the many
phases of this question from every
possible standpoint. Let us transfer
this perplexing social problem entirely from
the narrow arena of prejudice, hatred, and
partisan malignity onto the bred field of free
thought, free speech and free ballot Let
the people, all the people be heard from on
this subject. But there are some phases of
| the work to be done to which | may refer
suggestively. This work is manifold and
| complex, giving room for a great variety and
| versatility of agencies and talents, and vet
! it is very essential that the unity and CONT
nuity of the work should be maintained
Hitherto cur work has been spasmodic and
disiointed. At one time our educational
work has in a measure given place to some
great tidal wave of enthusiastic moral and
religious fervor, and this IN time has sub
sided, while all our energies have been de-
voted to prohibition. local option, or some
legal phase of the question, whereas
! 4 ID, ,ol nd
should move abreast, and keep
step throughout the whole campaign. 1t is
grand work to reform the drunkard, but it
is grander work TO so form the characters
of the young men of our country as that
they will never become drunkards. A great
problem will be solved when this great social
evil and national curse is controlled by law
but a greater and much more important
problem will be solved when men control
themselves, and wholly abstain from the use
of intoxicants This formation of character
and supremacy of self-government are not
attained by legal enactments and vet law is
indispensable for the protection, order and
well-being of society. On this question of
intemperance, almost any law is to be pre-
ferred to none | should certainly prefer Ii
cense to free whisky. / should, however
prefer local option to license, but it is my
Judgment that prohibition is greatly prefer
able to either,
Inc SIdlelntHl 10 uliNS Ie DChuSdlF tudI liO'
hibition is a failure and with as mach sense
and equal propriety we may say that any law
that may be enacted is failure, and that all
laws that have ever been enacted for the pur-
pose of controlling and regulating this evil
are failures and indeed all human laws are
imperfect and to a certain extent failures.
But the study of civil Jurisprudence will
lead inevitably to the conclusion that the laws
of the peoples have, as general thing, been
the expression of their best intelligence and
virtue, and Indispensable to the veal OF the
State or nation. The great advantage and
immediate effect of prohibition will be to
outlaw the trade, to place it under the ban
instead of the sanction of law, and thus
law would become an auxiliary of temper
perance, giving to the schools, churches
And temperance organizations the vantage