Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-11-14

In the matter of material progress,
Atlanta stands alone, and the causes
which operated to make her great,
are not to be compared to those
which have operated in the towns
and villages which have been men
toned to sustain those who are OF
the opinion that prohibition, such as
provided for in the recent Legislative
act, will not effect our prosperity.
This is cool. decidedly. What
meat has Marthasville been fed upon
that she thus proudly sets herself
above the less pretentions "towns
and villages" of Georgla? Is it in
the nobility of her birth out In the
piney woods, the accidental end Of a
railroad which was trying to get
somewhere? or is il because she has
engaged in branches Of trade more
exaltlng than that Of other towns?
Or, does the Constitution glory in
having persistently endeavored to
make all Georgia tributary. to At
lanta by trying to reflect to her
every projected railroad in the land,
drive away all competition, and, re-
gardless of the rights or the inter-
eSts of other sections, by direct OPP
position or secret intrigue, cripple
every public enterprise which might
not have Atlanta for its centre? If
these are the Constituents reasons
for its supercilious attitude to the
rest Of Georgia, then We must con-
cede that Atlanta is not to be ~com-
pared to the outlying towns and
villages" of the State.
But there is a meanness in the
Constitutions sordid appeal which is
very noteworthy. Observe thas the
fundamental idea Of tue appeal is
directed to the avarice Of the
business men of Atlanta. Listen to
the warming: Business is fiat;
competitors on every side are cut
ting into Atlanta's territory. We
are passing through a transition pc
riod in the history of the city,"
Therefore Atlanta is warned
against the depressing effects Of
prohibition which will aat least,
temporarily interfere with business" !"
True the ''towns" which have
tried prohibition, with one consent
testify to its good results. Yet, At
lanta, we are assured, is an al
together different variety of the
genus urbs. 1t must be tenderly
nursed even though it becomes
viper in the bosom of the State.
The Constitution is willing enough
to favor prohibition in the surround
ing towns and villages" if it.driyes
the liquor traffic into Atlanta and
centres it there, whence it may con-
tinue to plague the aforesaid "towns
and villages" while Atlanta reaps
the liquor harvest. A more selfish
proposition was never made in the
face Of day.
But we beg to assure the. ConsCi-
tuition that Atlanta is the child of
Georgia; and the State is not the
creature nor the creation of Atlanta.
Without Atlanta, Georgia would
still exist; but Atlanta, without
Georgia, what of her? Will Atlanta
remember how few years ago, she
was loudly clamoring for the votes
Of the "outlying towns and villages"
when she was seeking for the trans
fer Of the Capitol and its prestige to
herself? Georgia believes most pro-
foundly that the liquor monster must
be throttled, and if the spoiled
Miesie, Atlanta, is determined to
raise row, nothing remains for the
old lady, but to draw the obstreper-
Gus youngter across her lap and ad-
the well deserved spanking,
which the "towns and villages will
help with hearty good will to lay on.
The "business" of Atlanta cannot
control the business, morals and in
telligence of Georgia.
OUTSIDER.