Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-01-25

arises, us the manufacture and sale OF
Intoxicating liquor an injury to the 90
ciety in which such business Is carried
cn?n To prove that it is, we need
only To refer to the torrents OF crime
and misery that are daily issuing from
the fountatn.soarcc of. Intemperance
But we take 1t for granted that this
fact il universally acknowledged, there
fore deem it unnecessary to consider
this point any farther. But when we
examine the matter and find that we
are socially, morally and. politically
burdened by the evil of Intemperance,
the question presents itself in its most
complex form, "What shall We do to
rid our land Of this ravaging foe that is
leading so many to ruin and is making
such dreadful havoc throughout the
length and breadth of our entire State?''
The answer must most emphatically
be, Prohibition"
Our present laws have utterly failed
to stop the Incorporate use of intOxi-
eating drink or to check its evil influ-
ence upon society, and to-day it is
crunbling the very foundation of our
civil fabric by welding bTighting In
fluence at the polls and degrading the
social and moral status. Then let us
have stringent prohibitory laws rigid
ly enforced. We believe it is to be the
only star of hope that sends a ray OF
light from the dark horizon of the
frowning future.
Again, We are told by the author be-
fore referred to, that, in consideration
of the liberties given up, we are to re-
ceive protection Of life and property;
and for this purpose laws are enacted
among men prohibiting the perpetra-
ton of the various crimes known to
criminal code. And yet it is thought
unreasonable and absurd to ask that q
decisive blow be given to the primi-
tive cause of the greater part of these
crimes, and the laws of the State
would still be left to foster an evil in
the bosom of the Commonwealth that
is lengthening our criminal dockets,
filling our penitentiaries. poor-houses
and insane asylums at a heavy cost to |
the community, and all because it
cramps the liberty of those who choose
to render themselves curse to society |
Dy destroying the peace, happiness and |
ives of its members by dealing out to /
hem poison and damnation at the
price OF their families only means of
support.
The friends of Prohibition only ask |
hat the matter be brought before the
people of the State. that they may
rave a chance to exercise their rights
IS citizens by either adopting or reject
ng the proposed amendment to the
which will permit the
to pass prohibitory law.
Let the "the voice Of the people be
he supreme law of the land;" and If
hat voice be in favor of Prohibition,
ct US have it; if not, then we are not
too good to live in this world with its
we say, "Let the MAORI
y rule!" And when that majority
avs We will continue to sell liquor in
iisseuri, then it is our duty to abide
" that decision; or, if we do not wish
o do that, we are at liberty to go where
majority says we will have Prohibit
ion.
Many Of the liquor dealers and gam
lers of Kansas took advantage of this
berty to make their homes in Missou-
and elsewhere, when Prohibition
rent into force in that State; hence
ur State is becoming an asylum for
he incorporate class of those States 6
nat have the prohibitory law. Crime
therefore diminished i'm one and in !
-eased in the other. This will appear q
ON an examination of the statistics r
Maine and California. There Is in d
he State prisons of Maine only one to t.
200, while in the prisons of California
lere is one to every 600 persons.
The policemen of Topeka, Kansas,
~: ''Since the saloons have closed we
ave absolutely nothing to do" Then
by should we fear to try Prohibition?
re we so corrupt that we have no po- y
teal hope save in the liquor traffic?
nen, for Gods sake, let our political il
films be closed over US! i,
H. c. T. n