The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-12-04
Written for the FLoRIDIANl
1.-THE Temperance Nail" Driven
Home.

htitturs Fzoritldn: Your notice, in your issue
Of November eth, of the Times Unaons inter-
view with State Senator Mann, opens the way
for temperance communication. The Senator
has right 10 his opinion on the local option
law, and also the right to change that opinion.
But one accustomed TO regard Senators with
great reverence, because Of what the name and
station signifies, feels disappointed in the reason
given for that change. Attention is called to it
because it is a political argument on the subject,
and shows how easy it is to strike =" the temper
ance nail square on the head" and also reveals
the method and soundness of many political
conclusions. Here il Is The law referred to
has not been in force twelve months. Not many
licenses issued under the old law have expired,
and liquor is still being sold under these. Very
few licenses have been issued under the new law
and it is much more difficult to get license under
the new Therefore, "he thinks that it is failure
as to accomplishing the end aimed at, to-wit:
checking the consumption Of liquor" The ar
gument is 50 clear and the conclusion so appar-
ent, that establishment is dumb. The law may
fail, but that argument settles it.
The gist of the matter, however lies in this
that temperance is troublesome question
which needs must arise from time to time in
every State to disturb the balance of political
parties" Temperance is simply q didurJer of
political parties Prohibition has no good aim.
Its advocates are prompted by no worthy mo-
tives. 1t is simply political trick. Having
such view of the cause it ought to require very
little TO show il a failure, and 10 abandon il for
anything ought to be easy. But recognizing the
effort to remove that which fosters the greatest
curse to our people, as worthy OF the sincerest
advocacy, and the earnest and persistent support
OF every lover ot good, tue Charge is emphati-
cally denied. We are not disturbers OF the
peace nor invaders OF political parties but seek
the welfare OF our State by honest means and
from pure motives. What plank in the platform
of the Democratic or Republican parties is more
deserving OF the support oil every good citizen.
or looks more to the welfare of the country
There is none. Aud ignoring this they have no
claim 10 exclusive control. Prohbionists do
not propose to sacrifice the welfare of the Stale
to any one issue. But we think that the State
will lose much by The defeat OF this cause, and
do not intend 10 be driven from our position by
the cry of liquor sellers and their supporters
We have the good Of our State much, yea
more at heart, and do not intend u yield them
this issue. Amy loss to the State will be laid at
their door. Piohibilonists have not put for
ward, or specially supported, any man unworthy
Of confidence. Our opponents can say no more,
if indeed they can say as much Yet zoe are the
disturbers. Has anything caused 80 much dis
turbancc, sorrow and crime as that which is
promoted by liquor traffic? The criminal very
loudly says that the policeman is a distur6er
But do honest men accept that decision and
abolish the police? Whence the cry that cit-
zens, who use just and lawful means 10 prevent
the continuance Of a curse, are dlsturbcrsg
Shall good men accept the decision? Let us
hope not.
But even granting what the Senator says as 10
the failure of the law, we are net thereby driven
10 abandoning it. The terrible opposition of
the sellers shows that Il strikes the temperance
nail square on the head" Why pull the nail
out. Something is effected by it. Let us hold
fast. The high license il the best remedy.
There Is no reason why this may not be added
to the present law. Even the liquor sellsrs sdvo-
cafe the high license. Thus with another stroke
square on the head the nail will he driven
home. ., 80. =. 80 IVA. i