The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-11

open slaughter house within corporation Inn
its; and the State even sometimes attempts 70
prohibit ignorance by making education compui-
sorry; and in time of epidemic you are pro-
hibited from selling certain articles in the mar
ket. you cannot hold a funeral for your dead,
and even your sick nay be compelled to 60 to
the pest house And SIS our liberties are taken
away; while in time of war we are prohibited
great many privileges we have in peace.
The State of New York in 1857 enacted that
all kinds of corporations conveying for hire
persons or property shall be required to refuse
employment TO all persons shown to indulge. IN
the intemperats use of intoxicating drinks"
The Empire State felt the need of protecting her
citizens and the public. We do prohibit the
liquor traffic Sunday, and cleo
ton DAYS. and HOLIDAYS We do
prohibit the sale of intoxicants to
certain persons. From the navy it is prohibited.
We do tie up the OK once in while; but what
we need to do is TO tie him up all the time. And
the right of doing this cannot be denied. The
decision of Chiefjustic fancy will in coming
years be grandly sustained, not only by the
bench and in halls of legislation, but by the peo-
pie. 'f any State deems the retail and in
ternal traffic in ardent spirits injurious to its
citizens, and calculated to produce idleness,
vice. or debauchery see nothing in the Con-
stitution of the United States to prevent it from
regulating or restraining the traffic, from pro-
hibiJing it altogether" Said Judge Mclean IF
the article be injurious to the health and morals of
the community, State may prohibit the sale
of it,"
1t is objected to q prohibitory law that it can
not be enforced. Prohibition has been enforced
In towns, and cities and States. But what is
the genius of this government A law that can
be made can be enforced Legislatures will not
in this land work above the level of the people.
When a law is here enacted it is prima face
evidence that the lawmakers are conscious of
the support of their constituents; and then, If
the people will be true to their principles, there
will be no trouble about the execution of law
Wherever license has existed rum has abounded;
wherever prohibition has been enacted, the traf-
fc has waned If prohibition does not prohibit,
tell me why the liquor dealer is so afraid of it,
And if a license or tax law is SO good for re-
form, tell me why the liquor dealer supports it,
Why demand more of a Drohibitory LIQUOR law
than Of other prohibitory lawss There is not
prohibitory law in existence that absolutely pro-
hibts. Now then, instead of prohibiting forgery,
and counterfeiting, and arson, and petit larceny.
and other crimes, let us enact license laws or
that euphemious substituted 'tax law" What
a revenue might derive! Why all these men
who want to forge, and counterfeit, and break
open safes, and carry on houses of ill-fame. and
fire buildings, ETC., would like to pay tax, +"
and we would have plenty of money, you see.
Then we might plead against prohibitory legis-
lation in these cases that 'you cannot
enforce the laws" They yet do these things;
look into the daily papers and find that there are
forgers, and counterfelters, and murderers, and
thieves, and incendiarles, and all other classes
which the statute books prohibit. You see,
then, just what there is of this sophistical cry
that ''you can't enforce tle law"
This government is q government of the peo-
pie, for the people; and the least the people can
do u.s. petition the Legislature of the State for the
opportunity to cast an unmixed and untram-
meled ballot upon this great question of prohi-
bition; while the least the Legislature could do
would be to grant such opportunity. Towards
such an action temperance people of all orders,
parties and theories should bend them
selves, and never cease but with success.
Prohibition, I candidly believe to be the only
resting place Of temperance reform. It is the
only ultimate that can be sustained by correct
view of morals or religion; by sound views of
public health and safety; by the fact of our vast
public expenditures for education by the testi-
mony of the criminal record or by the estab-
lished principles of sound political economy
Prohibition ultimate design of temperance
reform may stand fearless of the first sound OBJ
lection. But we have not prohibition in Indiana
Until then, what? Be sensible Be practicable.
Do the best circumstances will allow. If you
can't get quiet of the goring OK, tie him with
snort rope. Until prohibition, high taxation!
Let the people stand by the laws have until
we can secure better. And let the people only
choose or tolerate such officials will enforce
and yindicate the law