The Russellville Democrat., 1883-02-22
FOR OUR LEGISLATORS.
ED. DEMOCRAT:

ED. DEMOCRAT:
When we consider the wisdom and
high standing of our Representatives
in state it would appear presump-
tious to offer word of counsel or
dictation. Again, when one looks
at the exJrayagant acts, prodigality
and ridiculous blnnders some OF
their predecessors have made, the
conviction is forced upon US that our
wisest men and most noted states
men are prone to err. / presume
the present Legislature will have, or
has already had, to consider the
''three mile law" In this matter, it
seems to me, they should be very
cautious. The prosperity of our
people depends, IN a great measure.
upon the part they act JUST here.
In advocating prohibition "a
"whiskey law" that will absolutely
and forever destroy the "whiskey
traffic" and whiskey drinking, and
vehemently urge the Importance OF
its early enactment and enforce.
ment-I but voice the sentiments of
a large majority of our people.
Everywhere the better part of socie-
ty is crying out for prohibition and
points to the good effects that have
resulted in our proud state, Arkan-
sas. The miserable and wretched,
hopeless widows and orphans made
so by whiskey, are asking for relief.
Woman. from every part ofthe land,
with her plaintlvely pleading voice,
appeals to man upon whose arm she
reclines and unto whom she looks
for sustenance and sympathy, TO rise
up in his might and assist her in her
weakness to destroy this vile demon
of despair, the whiskey traffic, and
save the country from eternal degra-
dalton and future generations from
this greatest of all temptations that
stalks boldly to lure them on to
their everlasting ruin. What will
our "law makers" and "law repeal
ers" do? We have given them the
power to act for us and what they do
in legislative halls assembled is bind
ing upon us as we'll as upon them
selves. Should they heed the myr-
lad voices and grant the general
want? Must they listen to those
inconsistent, meaningless, and policy
arguments (?) about appetite, liber-
ties and all that. and add to the pet
ty, hell born arguments few dollars
or your thousands of tempting lucre,
and then-even then-what should
they dop Surrender what footing
we already have? Repeal the law
because it may not entirely prohi5-
it? Would you throw away your
dollar because you haven't got two?
Is it not good as far as it goes2
Consistency, thou art jewel. Are
you so blinded that you can see no
good resulting from prohibition even
as it is. nor how much better our lot
would be il whisky, as such, were
unknown? Or. may he (D your
power OF vision is so very great
that you pryed out great good it is
accomplishing. Suppose u murderer
should save one mans life and dur.
ing that time should destroy hun
dred is that murderer's life worthy Of
being preserved? What GOOD has
whisky traffic or whisky ever donep
Can any one show? Where is the
saloon keeper that would dare exhib
it to the world a balance sheet set
ting forth the good CD and the EVIL
he mas accomplished by his nefarious
traffic. Can he be found? l fancy
he would set out about thus; An in
stitution TO propagate and nurture
Intemperance, etc, the list OF crimes,
red eyes, bloated faces, crazcd brains,
drunken revels, riots, rnbberies. muir.
ders; Of the anguish. misery and
Indebtedness that should follow
would be too appalling 10 real. |
is useless to point out the evils arls
ing from the traffic. Every reason
able man is ready To aeknowlc,lgr
that IL is the GIANT evil with which
man has TO do. Now, what is to he
done?Are we to bo put back under its
yoke, or rather. win not our law max
ers act the part of wisdom and ia
stead of REPEALlNG the law so AMEND