The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28

ment and discretion.
That discretion may be exhibited
on hundred fields of conflict. 1t
must be exhibited or fat failure
crowns every endeavor. We are per-
fectly well aware that to some the
very terms, discretion, expediency
and such are obnoxious when used
relative to the evils Of the liquor traf-
fic. But pray why should they be !?
We do not hesitate to use the thing,
in ether phases of it.
"Will you use thing, or principle
that in itselfis doubtful or::wrong-to
break down greater evil?" Put more
concretely-would you use license
system which as principle is wrong,
to break down the evils of this trafic2
Admit the premise for a moment as
true. Would you hesitate, to appeal
to man who had an mate love of
money to quit drinking on financial
grounds? Yet we are told that the
love OF money is the root of all evil.
You make no hesitancy in appeal
ing to pride to get people to act-yet
pride goeth before obstruction. For
sake all, says our Lord--what shall
we have says Peter-a hundred fold
here, life eternal there.
The philosophy of this entire
course wherever applied, is declared
in the definition of prudence given
US by Coleridge "Prudence" saws he
us an active principle, and implies a
sacrifice OF self, though only to the
same self projected, as it were to a
distance Legally speaking the steps
in this question are, free rum without
license; license for revenue only,a re-
strictlve license that looks toward sup
preston. Then state, then national,
then international prohibition. And
even that last is not a wild thought
in day when steps for international
action relative to dynamite is being
talked OF, and has been measurably
effected relative to slavery.
Meanwhile what First of all the
clear apprehension of The stage of the
conflict we are at. We are beyond
the days of licensing for revenue only.
However much or little actual restric-
ton is seen under the license system,
the element of restriction is in it, a
fact felt, accepted by the friends and
foes of the cause. The point claim
ed is there. Now while there does
remain in the license system, that
which as prohibitionist, insist is
wrong, namely, reaping a revenue
from crime, still there is in it as well
that for which as a prohibitionist l
work, the right of restriction. Be-
tween that element in the license
system and the most ultra doctrine of
prohibition, it is only matter of de-
gree, and not Of principle.
What is wanted is that the element
we believe in shall be fostered, nur-
tured, made more and more potent
until it eliminates the other element
and prohibition is the result.
The only way of commending a
good law is the honest, iudicious en-.
forcemont of it. The only way of
condemning bad law is by the hon
est and earnest enforcement of it.
Equally true, the only way of con.
mending the good element and con-
demning the bad element in the H.
cense system, is by the righteous and |
earnest enforcement of it.
And for that reason | am not in
sympathy with any sentiment which
says, 81 believe in prohibition and |
therefore want 10 see the license sys-
tenn fail" There is only one failure
in the license system that is desirable |
or good, It's that which comes from
the most of the system while
1t lasts, that thereby when it falls it
may fall, as fell the Jewish code to
give place to christianity, that it may
in its going down leave its real and |
eternal element embodied in
grander system.
Being now in this stage, being anx-
ious to lift the conception higher,
WORK honestly, Juulclously, earnestly, |
to execute the laws we have till bet |
ter ones come. BY SO doing we has
ten their coming.
To efectually do this, there must
first be enkindled larger sense of
the evils of drink, deeper convlc
ton of the sin of drinking. That
and that only will lead to the en-.
forcement we speak of. We know it
is sometimes ridiculed, but tits true,
"a law without public sentiment
to back it is as dead as last years
and as impotent as an
army with pop-guns against one with
Remington rifles.
1t is at times said that an officer
having solemnly sworn to perform
the duties of his office must do them,
and has no right to cry down on a
loose public sentiment for an excuse.
Granted; but thank God to-day that
q Sentlmtn once existed so