Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-04-11
The New Mlssissippian and Prohibition.

The New Mississippiau informs us
that ''the Prohibitionists are organ
izing their forces in this State to
capture the next legislature, that
they may more effectually enact
such laws as they want in the inter
est of their organization.
We ale glad to hear Of the organ
izlng, for certainly Prohibitionists
would like to Capture the next leg
islature," that laws may be enacted
in the interest of the people, but not
in the interest of ''their organiza-
ton
1t we'll says that "this is a free
country, and man has the right to
oppose or favor the Democratic SEN
timent as enunciated in the Chicago
platform regarding 'sumptuary
laws.
Glad it is so liberal, and we trust
every Prohibltiontst will oppose
with all his power the whisky senti-
ment enumerated by the Chicago
Convention under the guise Of
''sumptuary laws. Ifthat is oppos-
ing democracy, then we will op-
pose 1t.
There is vast deal Of nonsensical
talk about democracy and ''sump-
tuary laws" these days. A few re-
marks on these subjects: That prin-
cIple of government which allows
the people to rule by majorities, we
endorse heartily. That is the only
true democracy Of which we know.
OF course, there is a democracy
with big d, but that is simply a
name for a political party.
Under democracy, governmental
measure, which the people may
adopt this year, may be by the same
people repealed next year and not a
particle Of violence done to democ-
racy. The people have simply
changed their judgements as to the
wisdom Of the measure. Just that
and nothing more. If majority Of
the people ofany town, county, State
or Nation recognize the fact that the
liquor traffic is doing more harm
than good, and, in order to restrict
or abolish it as far as possible, adopt
the plan of the New Mississippian,
of throwing '.iudicious restrictions
around it and con6ning it within
certain reasonable metes and
bounds that would be good democ
racy, although judicially wrong in
principle, and disastrous in practice.
If, after trying that plan sufficient
", say few hundred years, as they
have already, they find that the con
sumption of liquor is increasing three
times faster than the population, as
| is the case in this country, and they
conclude to change the restrictive
measure from partial prohibition
(the license system,) to absolute
Prohibition, Will any one say that IS
not good democracy? But you say
the law of absolute Prohibition does
not accomplish all it proposes men
will violate it in selling whisky. |
reply, neither does your partial pro-
hibition, the restrictive license law,
accomplish all it proposes men vio-
late it everywhere and every day.
They sell liquor on Sunday and to
drunkards and minors. Your arg~-
ment is not good. If men will ylo-
late the stronger law, it is proof that
they Will violate the one not SC
strong.
The only question is, which meas
ure win accomplish the most in di.
minishing the sale Of liquor, and i
seems reasonable that if a tight Law
diminishes it some, a tighter ont
would diminish it more.
The New Mississippian says IN,
law ever yet devised has been sutfi
cientIy potent to exterminate" tn
liquor traffic. Why, no, for if it wa
already exterminated we would no
!, be after it now. We do not eve
hope to absolutely exterminate il
That would be utopian, perhaps, bu
we propose to exterminate all of tn
abominable business We possibly car