The Opelousas courier., 1884-11-22

A PrOhfbitory LAW,
Editors COURIER:

All laonors to our worthy Police Jury, who
have listened to the voice of petition, signed
oy many voters, requesting them to appoint
day when tho legal voters of our Parish
snail have the opportunity of casting their
votes for or against q Prohibttory, liquor lac
IN the Parish. They have in their wisdom.
selected Il suitable attorney to draw up or
write the ordinance and present it ct heir
next meeting when they will fix day for
the election. 1t is to be hoped that the gen
tleman selected, will be careful as to the
wording of said ordinance, that il may lie e-
gal aud without tiaw. covering the whole
ground.
Now the petition referred 10, Says substau-
lively, that there shall be nos lcohuIic liquors
brought into our parish, or manufactured
herein except for chemical and medicinal
purposes, or in other words. that such liquors
shall not be introduced, manufactured,
bought, sold or given away us beverage, in
our parish but Gully for medicinal mud chem
ical ends or objects
Of course, if majority vote rule out the
accused thing, the Honorable Police Jury
will regulate the sale of it in accordance with
parish officials will see that the law is respect
ed and executed to the full letter.
Now this is not seotariau agitation !; for
no sect as such, is engaged in it. Meth.
er is it a Protestant demonstration for
doubtless the majority of the names on
zens; and many of them prominent aud
worthy gentlemen. In truth, it is no religious
movement at all, for large number of our
most respectable citizens who claim mem ber-
ship III no church, are earnest and cordial
supporters Of the proposed reform. Neither
is it political party movement in our parish,
for Republicans as we'll as Democrats. both
white and colored, have given their names, aud
are nobly supporting the good cause. They may
differ in some of their political principles and
measures but they stand shoulder to shoul
der on the liquor question determining to
rule it out by all honorable means Then it
is and must be movement. sustained by all
religions, parties and colors OF osr parish; the
grand object of which is to decrease taxes,
poverty and crime all of which are multi
Piled to d most alarming extent in our midst
by this Calamity water" from the fiery river
Of hells sunless valley. And while we decrease
these sources Of woe, we propose to elevate
orr people, SO that Industry, economy. intel
ligence aud wealth. will gradually difuse
themselves throughout the Parish. All this
and more can be done, by a prohi5itory
liquor lar, properly and faithfully executed
by the powers that be-
Therefore let the friends hold on to this
most important movement with grip which
cannot be overcome. Let them get ready tor
the coming eouaiet, Let them remember that
we don't fight meu; but sin in its most des-
tructiys form.
out iG5tfleiS Ill every part vi tue
parish can give strong arm III the tight.
against this king of denominations. Our me-
cha lics and farmers can do much, und po
doubt will, in this battle for the saving oil our
people. Our merchants, statesmen and clerks
wield ponderous Weighty influence IN
every part of our an:t for good or evil Cert ailI-
iy they, as citizens of intelligence aud good
order, will give that influence IN favor OF d
pr0tibitofy latc. Our lawyers, doctors and
ministers of the gospel will undoubtedly use
the great forces at their elbow to bring about
better state of things in onr almost entirely
crushed parish Your influence, gentlemen
is almost omuipoteut with all classes of our
people. May you use it freely and lavishly te
lift them from he mige and clay cftheirp present
state, and place them upon The solid read OF II
better life.
Aud last but greatest-our ladies Heaven
bless them all--What can we do without lheu
your power, ladies Of ST. Landry, is irnneasur
able and irresistible. You eau work in this
canse of humanity as no one else cap, and
| prosperity of your fathers, your husbands, Foul
brothers, your neighhors aud especially fol
/ the safety of the rising generation in oar par
| ish, yon will heartiy join us III this grea
4 work.
! Do not let nuJ one think even for afnoalent
/ that the victory will be easily won. Do no
! let him wait till the time for holding the eiec
{ tion is at hand Hsr Till the Hon. Police ,Inr,
shall fix the time fur said vote hut let hin
begin y once and now. Let him fed that j
\ viii be u red,hot fight, and thar il ~ prohi
bitory law triunphs. it wili be only Oh tn
ground that every one did his whoie duty il
/ che close OF the day of the electia..
Opelousas, La. Nov. Is, 1881.