The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-04-03

PrOhtbfttou.
The following article was prepared by
Elder J. H. Reese, "County Editor" of the
Temperance League We are by no means
prepared 10 condemn our present "tax law"
or AZ it is usually termed, although ii is a
misnomer, the license law. In our opinion,
it has proven itself to be a more practical
and salutary law, than any prohibitory leg
islation which this state, at least, has ever had
We hope the "County Editor" is not 30
wide of the real facts in his other state
ments, as he is when he says, in abiding to
divorces, that "almost ninety-nine cases out
Of every hundred rest their claim on this
ground habitual drunkenness-"in our
courts" The fact is that it is not very
frequent allegation in divorce cases, as an
examination. of the records of those cases
will show. The NoRrHERSER is, at all times,
most decidedly in favor of the temperance
cause, and the Temperance reformation, but
is not ready to condemn the good we have; for
the mythical benefit that we may or may not
obtain, by some other means at some future
time.
All the reason and logic employed on tho
subject of temperance reform is inconsist-
ent if we aim at anything short of prohibi-
ton. The thinking and humanity loving
hot Ia not haua
power TO remove the sin of intemperance
See our inconsistency in legislation: The
State will license the sale OF Intoxicating
liquor and then declare habitual drunken
ness Just and sufficient cause for divorce.
This is an easy separation. Almost ninety
nine cases out of every hundred rest their
claim on this ground in the courts. To Ii
cense the sale of RUN protects and encour-
ages the traffic. Any prohibitory features
contained i'll license law, which might be
advantageous, are really neutralized by such
license. If the traffic is just and right,
then it is manifestly cruel To refuse this
natural right TO poor man who cannot pay
the revenue demanded by such license. If
the traffic is wrong no license can remove
the wrong and make it right; neither has
any government authority To legaliZe and
protect vice. Governments are ordained to
protect and foster virtue and to suppress
vice and wickedness. IF We cast ballot
for license law we are responsible for the
injuries committed under such law, when,
by voting prohibition, the opposite result
might have been attained. Is it right to
prohibit Who will be injured by it, Will
it injure the peace and happiness of our
homes? Will it make husbands less af1ec-
tionate and provident, SONS less filial and
respectful! Will mothers he saved from
anxiety for their children and homes, for
tunes and characters protected from the
whitening and blighting curses of strong
drink? Do you say, 1T is mine and l have
right TO do as please with it," That may
be true, If do not in ure others by doing
as please. A man has no right to burn his
own house, for, by so doing he destroys the
property of the commonwealth and Injuries
the community. No one has a right to keep
an unruly or dangerous animal and thereby
expose the safety Of any one. A man has
no right TO fire the prairie grass on his own
land when he endangers the interests of an
other. We have right to quarantine against
infectious diseases even through business
may be urgent, and wife, children, or friends
may be sick or dying; all that is nothing to
the protection of the masses. The person
dying of yellow fever or small pox dies hon
orably, is mourned for, lamented, and his
death can be referred to with affectionate
regard for all time. Is it 50 with the drunk
ard2 What reproach and beastliness dog
his steps. from his first loss of self control
and respect, on down the long shameful
career, until the rotten hulk of diseased
body and wrecked soul is covered deep with
such an infamy that we could not even men,
ton the name or circumstance of the death
except with shame and regret.