The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-25
Carefully Read Over the liquor Pc
titions.

Carefully Read Over the liquor Pc
titions.
We make sn earnest appeal to every
considerations citizen in our community
TO read slowly and thoughtfully each
one of the seven liquor petitions now
being published in our city papers.
Pause aud identify just as many of tue
signers names rs possible, and reflect
upon the motives which prompted the
signers.
Some have signed thoughtIessly, Just
signed to get rid of the petitioner.
fhey have never had it impressed upon
their consciences that they are respon
sible for the saloons. The liquor men
could never secure license to retail with
out their signatures Are they ready
20 assume the responsibility of all the
critnes committed by men under the in
huence of the liquor ~hose sale they
legalized7 They say We have never
looked at it in that light. But it must
be looked at in that light, because it is
the simple truth. Every siguer is com
plicated in the innumerable and balefu'
streams of evil issuing from that cor
rupt fountain, which they themselves
opened up. II the law Enthusiastically
declares that A will not be permitted
to sell whisky without the signature of
b, G, and ID, it is as clear as u sunbeam
that B, g and ID are just as responsible
for the saloon as A himself.
Quite an intelligent and worthy col
<.sk he tr14
saving his race from the direful effects
of whisky, said: No, if they have no
setter sense than to 60 out in that way,
let the IN CO." Whist a Cain-like utter
ance was lhatl He will be hello respon-
sible for their drunkenness ard poverty
and crime. To hi1 it can be said now,
and it will be much more emphatieally
said at the dreadful day of judgment
when the secrets of all hearts shall be
disclosed, ''the voice of thy brother's 8
olo0d cristh out unto me from the
ground" No man white or black, can
avoid condemnation on account OF know
ingly putting a stumbling block in his
nrother's way by helping to license
whisky shops The weaker and the
more Ignorant the brother the greater
the wrong done to him. To look down
from serene standpoint of respecta-
blity and sobriety and say that any
body 90 foolish and weak as To ruin
himself with drink deserves no better
fate is not ONLY very Intellectual effort
TO shirk responsi bility, but it al.o indi
Gates an insensibility to feel anothers
woe which is appalling.
A Christian gentleman of the very
best standing gave as his reason for
signing whisky petitions. that he would
lose his patronage, and success in busi-
ness was needful to the supper. of his
family. There is no doubt that whisky
men do make threats of running the
business of any one who declines to sign
their petitions 1t must be admitted,
also, that the possibility of failing in
business is very alarming to one whose
daily bread is dependent. But this bug
bear, like many others set up by saloons
becomes a pitiable thing when looked
squarely in the face, and is utterly
unworthy of influencing any true man.
Ia the first place, there is no danger of
\ business being ruined on suck All &C
count. Customers and patrons are very
apt to GO where they can get the best
gardless of the opinions held by the
persons to whom they go. The names
Of business men could be given against
whom the whisky fraternity had made
threats, who have really grown more
prosperous because of the threats.
Their business has actually increased
not only from temperance people, but
also from those who think i. unjust to
prescribe any one for opinions sake.
Any business man who quietly but firm
ly refuses to violate his conscience by
signing whisky petitions, SO far from
losing, will actually gain by it, and then
what is worth more than money, he will
preserve his own self-respect and will
secure the appreciation of his Maker.
Some sign through motives of friend
ship. The petitioner is a personal friend
[ sign because he wants me to sign
Personal friendship is the vtry best rea
son in the world why one ought not te
sign. True friendship instead of doins
AN act by which to share the responsi
bility of wrong doing. ought rather u
say, "why think too well of you tt
assist in involving you in such miser
able calling. You are too clever q maj
thus to degrade yourself, to humilist.
tie loved members of your family b.
having it thrown up to them that the,
are the wife and the children of salnoT
keeper" There is saloon keeper in thi
city who says that he feels as mean as /,
| dog every time he sells drink o
| whiskey. Why then continue to encour
ave him to debase himself in mis- owl
estimation, and not rather refuse you
signature from the promptings of pur
| friendship that would rescue fellow
man from SO degrading calling?
We confess to feelings of surprise an
sorrow tha. SO many of the better clas
of citizens should lend their names an
their influence to the perpetua.ion of a
institution, which has not one redeem
ing qualification, not one single legit
mate argument in its favor, but which
4 perfect Pandoras box, whence issu
seil nigh all the evils that come upo
/ mankind.
Is there yet no means to prevent ia
issuance of these seven licenses to di'
pense LIQUID ruinf Why should thes
saven Of our feIlew citizens be encou
| ayed to engage in that business whic
the B ,man Catholic Church is condemf
ING. and against which every Protestar
denomination lifts up her warnin
yoicef Why should seven men B
authurixed to do that which it would B
: crime for others not 80 authorized
dot Why is it that these seven me
over and above all other men in ti
CITY should be certified ito be OF goo
reputation, and sober and suitable pc
sons TO receive license" to conduct
r. = L. 49,