Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-10-22
AN APPEAL
To the Voters Of Union County
BY THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE
UNION OF ELK POINT.

AT the late session of the Board
of County Commissioners of this
county, it was decided to submit the
question of again granting license
for saloons to the vote of the PEG.
pie at the next general election.
On the 4th of November the vo.
tiers OF Union county will be called
upon to decide whether it is right
and just, as well as best under all OF
the circumstances, to again open the
saloons in our county.
Believing that a large minority OF
the voters are men who desire to do
right, and who will not knowingly
lend their aid or influence to any
act of injustice, we are encouraged
to ask their candid consideration of
a few of the many objections which
lie against the claim Of the saloon to
be again re-opened.
AS American citizens We are all
justly proud of our free government,
free institutions and equal laws. If
one principle is more dear to Amer
leans than all others, it is that which
guarantees equal rights to al. The
duties which the individual owes to
society and the state are regulated
by this rue, and by tie same rule
the rights of the individual under
the state are measured. The same
principle that prohibits taking pri-
vate property for public use without
just recompense, also prohibits the
citizen from using his private prop
erty to the injury of the public, or
in a way that will ~endanger the well
fare OF society. BY the same prin-
clple, nil interests which are for the
public good and not oppressive to
the individual, are encouraged: and
and all which threaten the public
good are restrained.
Bear in mind that we donot claim
the right of society or the state to
dictate what individuals shall eat or
drink, or in What mannef they shall
exercise any of their private rights.
We call upon the saloon rs a fublic
institution, demanding support from
the public, and claiming protection
under the laws Of the state, to stand
up and be judged under the broad
principle of equal rights to all. IF the
saloon does not injure society, if its
influence is for the good Of society
and not its injury, if its interests are
in common With other interests Of
of society, helping to build them up
and being in turn supported by
them, If. in short, its interest is not
opposed to any other interest which
society is bound to protect, then the
saloon has a right to exist. IF, how
ever, it rohs any portion of the citi-
zens of their rights, then society is
bound to protect its citizens. II it wa
ges war upon any interest or institu-
ton of the community that is neces-
sary to its welfare, then in justice
and right, and under the rule of
equal rights to all the saloon must 90.
The saloon stands charged before
the people on an indictment of many
counts, but we will examine only
Of them at present. LIST It
society of its rights, il that Il
takes large sums of money from the
community, and gives no valuable
equivalent. The principle Of law
every man is entitled to a just
equivalent for his money, is recog-
nized in all business transactions
outside the saloon, and its justice il
not questioned. The saloon, in ut
ter disregard of this principle, gives
value in return for the money re-
No one claims that liquor
drank as a beverage is beneficial
neither is it claimed that drinking
are good for individuals or
for communities. But the liquor
and the habits thereby nc
quired are all that is given in return
for money paid to the saloon. This
count then Of the indictment is iul-
~ proved-the saloon rot,s man of
money, of manhood and of morals,
and in return gives only misery.
The End count Of the indictment
is that the saloon makes war upon
an institution which is OF vital I'm
portance TO society; one which is
the fountain Of all civilization, and
The corner stone Of all good govern
ment. It makes war upon Home
institution without which no
would exist and no advance
ment be possible. Without home
Influences the most highly civilized
community on earth would in ono
generation degenerate to the level Of
the savage. Without the love OIL
home, there could be no love of
country, no patriotism, and no good
government. Yet against this insti-
to which the human race
owes 50 much, the saloon Stands -
the open md acknowledged: enemy.
In proof of this count, reclaim that
the saloon robs the home az its sup
port. Every dollar Tint goes fnto
tie saloon belongs 70 the home, hn
thousands Of homes al over
land ara in povery md Wretehn8
ness to-day, because he
which belonged 81 q