The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-09-27
CXenia Republican,
The Sacond Amendment

the question of the second amendment
is ag1tated more and more among the
people it is becoming evident that the
vote for it will be immense, and that
there is strong possibility that it
may carry. One Of the most signifi-
cant facts that tends to confirm one
in this opinion is, that in the Demo-
cratic counties there is developed a
remarkable sentiment in favor Of the
amendment. Talking with a news
paper correspondent who has travelled
extensively over the state, we learned,
with surprise, that Crawford county,
one of the strongest Democratic
counties in the state, will probably
go for the second amendment, and it
will be remembered that Senator
Sherman, the other night, made SINH
lar averments as to Brown county.
These indications, taken in connec-
ton with the remarkable state Of
public opinion in Missouri and other
Democratic states, point unmistakably
to an uprising Of the people against
the traffic in Intoxicating liquors that
is not grounded on mere sentimental
enthusiasm; that is not the result of
fanaticism, and which is strong enough
to wipe out the dividing line between
the two great parties and override, to
some extent, every political considera-
tion. st. Louis is much larger city
than Cincinnati, and the rural dis
tricts Of Missouri much less populated
than those of Ohio. Yet the Demo-
cratic governor of that state actually
threatens st. Louis with a called
session Of the Legislature to pass a
prohibitory law, if that city persists
in her rebellion against the stringent
liquor and Sunday laws Of that state.
The question therefore Of constitu-
tional prohibition in Ohio is not a
party one. It is one that concerns a
public evil by the side Of which all
others sink into insignifcance. This
is proposition that none will dis
pute, and to dwell upon the wretch
edness and woe, the poverty and
crime which spring from this traffic
is work sepererogation. The liberty
of the individual citizen must sue
cumb, as it always has been forced to
do more or less, to any remedy that
may restrain, or entirely suppress this
monster evil. It is the object Of those
who support the second amendment
to illegitimatize the traffic, to make it
an unlawful occupation, and to bar
the Legislature from recognizing the
traffic by any law whatever.
In the event Of its adoption, all tax
or license laws would fall to the
ground, and it would be competent for
the legislature to enact only such
laws as would tend to prohibit i'll
part. The enactment and execution
of such laws would be left to the
operation Of the same public senti-
ment that is expected to put prohibi-
ton in the constitution.
1t becomes therefore the duty of
every voter, who is not interested in
the liquor traffic, to consider earnestly
and conscientiously for which OF the
two amendments he shall vote. Pro-
hibition as a visionary project, as a
mere sentiment, something of which
there is no hope of adoption, is one
thing, and prohibition as one of the
pTdCtlCdl ISSUES VI IuO uOuI, Wuoo'-
probable adoption has gone beyond
the limits Of mere chimera,-is quite
another. There are thousands who
would vote for the second amendment
if there was any probability-nay,
possibility, of its adoption, and we
have to say to those that the move
ment for the second amendment
throughout the state is so universal
and porteptious, in the Democratic as
Republican counties, that such need
not hesitate for a moment, on the
grounds of impractieabihty, for which
amendment he shall vote. Prohibi-
ton may not prohibit, but those who
are in doubt. upon this subject, and
who would like to have the matter
practically tested, can now have the
opportunity. Those who think that
taxation or license will resGlt IN the
greatest good, saxe likewise the
chance to make their views count.
One or the other of the amendments
ought to be adopted. Which shall ii
be?