The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-06-05
Written for the FLoRIDIANl
The Liquor Dealers Circular.

II ScculS ITOul u clTCular recently issued by the
authority of the Liquor Dealers Protective
Union that this Association is very much in
censed over the passage of an act by the last
session of the Legislature " to regulate the sale
Of liquors. wines, and beer in the State of Flor
ida by the Board of County Commissioners of
the several Counties In the circular the liquor
dealers are urged I" to keep our organization in
tact and to strengthen it by earnest efforts to
maintain large membership and increased
financial strength" Notwithstanding they were
defeated in their appeal to the State Supreme
Court to have the law declared unconstitutional
they declare that the battle is not over; we
intend to meet the issue by appeal to the Su-
preme Court of the United States or by the bal
lot box at the next election, and to be successful
We must act untedly and determinedly Or
ganized endeavor will triumphantly crown your
efforts" From the above we are to infer that
there is to be new party in Florida, known as
the liquor dealers party, and the repeal of the
law is 10 be the great issue at the next election
Is 1t not little singular that certain class of
business men will attempt to form a political
party in their own special interest to control leg
slation for their own peculiar business and ben
eft?
From the circular we are led to infer that
money and other influences are to be used to
convince the citizens Of Florida " of the balefu
effect which is to follow as o characteristic se-
quence of this ill-timed measure on the future
prosperity of the State"
How can the restraining of the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors have baleful effect" on the
future prosperity of the State? History is the
great beacon light of experience, and shows the
shoals and quicksands upon which other nations
have been wrecked
The history of Ancient Persia shows us the
effect law in which personal liberty in the
selection of beverages was abridged by arbitrary
enactments had on that nation.
The only drink allowed children and young
meH IN Ancient Persia was water. I" This design
was to accustOm them early TO temperance and
sObrlety." 1t was the design of the Persians to
prevent evil, being convinced that Z" it is much
better TO prevent faults than to punish them"
The Florida Legislature had the same design in
view In the passage OF the law referred to. Let
us see what baleful effect" this law had on
Cyrus the Great and the Persian nation. When
youth, Cyrus was sent to visit his grandfather
Astyages King of Media. While there he was
made cup-bearer. 1t was the custem for the
cup-bearer to pour some of the liquor into his
left hand and to taste it, before he presented it
to the King Cyrus did not, and the King told
him he lad forgot it. No, replied Cyrus, it is
not through forgetfulness that l omitted that
ceremony. Why, then, says Astyages, for what
reason did you do it? Because / apprehended
there was poison in that liquor Poison, child
How could you think 80? Yes, papa for not
long ago, at an entertainment you gave to the
lords OF your court, after the guests had drank q
little OF that liquor, | perceived all their heads
were turned, they sung, made a noise, and
talked they did not know what; you yourself
seemed to have forgotten that you were King,
and they were subjects; and when you would
have danced you could not stand upon your
legs. Why, says Astyages, have you never seen
the same thing happen your father? No, never,
says Cyrus. When Cyrus became King of Per-
sia, he was very careful to choose what was
hurtful and prejudicial all forms of intoxicating
drinks were not permitted to be used
His mighty arm and temperate habits of him.
self and his soldiers enabled Cyrus to conquer the
mighty Babylon and nearly all the known
world. The historian Of Cyrus says, ITO the
very last he enjoyed vigorous state of health,
which was the fruit of the sober and temperate
life which he constantly led. And whereas
they who give themselves up to drunkenness
and debauchery often feel all the in1rmities of
age, even whilst they are young, Cyrus on the
contrary, at a very advanced age, still enjoyed
all the vigor and advantages of youth"
Now let us see the "baleful effect " which is
to follow where personal liberty in the selection
of beverages were not " restrained by arbitrary
enactments"
In the Babylonish Empire intoxicating liquors
were freely used by the citizens Babylon was
tne strongest hnu UcSt IOItlucQ CITY III tue WOTO,
and considered perfectly secure from an invading
army. When Cyrus beseiged the city its inhabi-
tants thought themselves perfectly secure from
all attacks, and gave themselves up to riotous
entertainments. The sentinels on the walls be-
came drunken and neglected to sufficiently guard
all the approaches. Cyrus enters while the King
his officers and principal citizens were flushed
with wine and easily takes the city. The King
was killed and the proud BabylOnish Empire
soon faded and crumbled in the dust from the
I" baleful effects of the intoxicating bowl.
Cambyses, a successor to Cyrus to the throne
of Persia forgot or neglected to restrain =" the
personal liberty in the selection of beverages"
became "wine bibber," committed the most
horrible murders and inhuman cruelties, and the
result was that Persian greatness and glory soon
faded and crumbled In the dust, and the grand
Empire numbered amongst the things that were
We have had some of the baleful effects Of
the intoxicating liquors in the United States
About third OF a century ago the citizens were
astounded and greved over the mOurnful news
that distinguished Senator of the United States
had killed, In q drunken spree, his brOther-in-
law, an army officer who had won distinguished
honors In the Mexican war. They had been the
waTmest friends from boyhood up and gloried In
each others advancement. The officer was visit
ing the Senator; while there they took aspree."
When all flushed with liquor the officer COM
menced to handle the Senator roughly, and d.
nally struck blow that stung him severely. A
bowie-knffe laying near on Q table, the Senator
seeing II seized 1t and plunged 1t into the officer.
The latter died In few hours. Before his death
the Officer told his friends and relatives how IL
n uA k&. Al~~ -s.A