The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-22


To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
That the use of Intoxicating liquors. as beve-
rage is evil is too universally conceded at the
present time to admit of an argument. The in
-dividual who does not recognize this fact must
be very stupid indeed. We have all heard and
read enough about the evils of intemperance.
What we now want to know is how to get rid of
these evils? And the failure of our people. thus
far to unite upon remedy for the evils of
intemperance is, in my Judgment
the greatest of all hindrances to
the cause of temperance in our State
1t matters not how wise any theory may be,
unless it receives the entire support and the
united support of all temperance people it will
be sure to fail Harmony of action in the tenn
perance work, like harmony Of action in any
other enterprise undertaking, must go be
fore success. We all remember how our arms
were defeated during the war so long as each
commander adhered to his own peculiar theory
or mode of warfare. And Just so with the cause
of temperance. No matter how wise our the
cries, how earnest our work. or how good our in
tentions unless we labor together we labor in
vain. it is not only right but highly important
that we discuss honestly and thoroughly
the several propositions proposed as a remedy
for the evils of intemperance. Let there be a
fair, frank, and a full expression of opinion on
this subject, and we will then be the better pre-
pared to unite upon that measure which will
best accomplish our purpose. 1 have an opinion
as to the best way to deal with the evils of in
temperance; but while this is the case | am in
favor of any measure whatever that will dimin-
ish the amount of incompetence in the country
and thereby curtail the liquor traffic. And the
man or woman who is not in favor of such
measure is not, in my Judgment, half as good
friend to the cause of temperance as he or she,
would have us believe If there is temperance
sentiment enough in the State to pass II prohibi-
tory law and enforce its provisions, l would say
aim at nothing less than complete prohibition
But, if there is not temperance sentime enough
in the State to do this think it would be very
unwise in the friends of temperance to under
take anything of the kind And not knowing
beforehand just what the result in such an eff
fort or contest will be, but believing, as | do
that the risk is greater than the friends of tenn
perance can afford to take, l submit that
local option" is the thing for tenn
peranee people to work for in our State. Local
option, for many reasons, is q most excellent
law, and it is, or should be, very popular with
the people, as it is in entire harmony with the
spirit of our free institutions. Suppose our
Legislature should pass law allowing the people
of each township in the State TO say by their
vote whether Intoxicating liquors shall be manu-
featured and sold in such places, to be used as
beverage. By this means localities Whole there
is just temperance sentiment enough to
defeat the free-whisky element will
very soon create quite strong sentiment in
favor of prohibition, and, in this way, local OPP
ton is undoubtedly the true road to prohibition.
| If we had local option today, it would be but
| very few years before would have prohib-
| ton.
want to say, in conclusion. that the best way
! as well as the most satisfactory, and by far the