The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-29
A MODERN MIRACLE.

A clap of thunder in a clear sky sounds
very much like any other thunder, the only
difference being that people were not looking
for it. So it is with the news that Georgia
has adopted prohibition in a large part Of
the State. Thirty years ago when the pro-
hibition wave was sweeping over the coun-
try, prominent politician by the name of
Flournoy drew around him an enthusiastic
following on the issue of that day, only for
prohibition and Flournoy both to be buried,
as was supposed, beyond the reach of resur-
rection. But it turns out that prohibition at
least was neither dead nor buried, but only
showed aside by the more exciting events of
war coming, war raging, and recuperating
after the war. About year ago the we'll
known late William E. Dodge, of New York,
was entertained at temperance meeting in
Atlanta, Judge Lester, of Georgia, intro
ducing the distinguished stranger. Knowing
the drift of public sentiment, the learned
Judge said, eff you live five years you will
see Georgia added to the list OF prohibition
States" 1t was received with a smile of in
credulity at Atlanta, but the question has
come to the front in a surprising manner
gan first several years ago by prohibiting the
sale Of liquors within certain limits of edu-
cational institutions. A little later two or
three counties applied for local prohibition.
A little later permission was granted under
somewhat cumbersome restrictions to forbid
license altogether. Under this law about forty
counties out of the ono hundred and thirty
six had awaited themselves of the permit, and
inaugurated prohibition before any formula
BILE opposition was aroused. At the last ses-
sion of the Legislature, in spite of the most
every county on certain conditions, to vote
no license, and in case majority so vote the
Governor shall proclaim prohibition in that
county for two years, when the vote is to be
taken again Under this law the most lively
canvass ever known in Georgia is now pro-
crossing in several counties, and large
prohibition by unheard of majorities
Speaking of the result, the Atlanta corre-
spondent of the Louisville Courier-J Journal
says:
"a strange part of the campaign is that
the counties which are adopting the prohibit
ton platform are those from which one
would least expect it. Thus Emanuel, Effing-
ham, DeKalb, and other quiet and orderly
communities are taking no part in the strug-
gle. Spalding county, where more murders
have been committed during and since the
war than in any other half dozen, and where
drinking is universal, has joined the temper
ance column. Clayton county has long been
notorious as resort of desperation. The
boys of the town of Jonesboro asked no bet
ter fun than to step on the coat-tail of a
stranger; in fact, it beat Opelika in its palm
lest days. Last week this county voted for
prohibition by over six to one. Paulding
county voted into line last Thursday, and a
more drunken county Than Taulding there
is not in Georgia.
an all these counties the result was not
attained by the aid of temperance societies
In fact temperance societies would have de-
feated themselves. The result was achieved
by the drinkers themselves They voted for
prohibit in a body. They recognized the
fact that liquor was, their ruin; that its pres
ence was a temptation, and that if the temp
tation was removed they themselves would
become better men. Thus they went to the
ballot and thus the temperance victory was
won,
"In less than two years there will not be a
drop of liquor sold i'll Georgia outside of the
large cities"