Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-09-24
Grant County 4erala.
Prohibition.

Prohibition.
In reply to the article Of "Prohibi-
ZIONIST " published below in this
issue, We will say that we think it is a
pity that the friends Of temperance
should so disagree among themselves as
TO the best mode Of promoting this most
desirable reform. In openly espousing
the cause, THE HERALD was actuated
only by desire to do its share in the
agitation of the vital question of the
hour; not 70 urge any pet hobby of its
own We hold it to be the duty of ev-
cry one who interests himself AT all in
this reform, 10 use his common sense,
. try and comprehend the situation, and
laying all hobbies aside, to accept
what is best under existing circum-
stances. if it is likely to promote the in
torests Of The cause. We do not believe
Il sin for a man to vote for high
license, locally, even though he does
not believe license to be right. In a
community where prohibition is prac-
ti5le it is the best remedy; but where it
Is impractible, as is undoubtedly the
case in some places, it is no remedy at
Ill, and a good license system is far
better
The political prohibitionists contem-
plate the complete suppression by law
OF the whole liquor business, both its
manufacture and sale. They have or
gained Il national party with this kind
Of prohibition rs its distinctive feature,
and in fact, the reason for its existence.
IAey will have nothing to do with any
form Of the license system, nor even
with local and non partisan prohibition.
Prohibition for the whole nation by a
general and uniform law is their one
idea.
While "Prohibitionist'' and his party
stand back and insist upon the whole or
nothing, and denounce those who are
trying just as earnestly in another way
To- control to partially suppress, or if
possible to entirely prohibit the liquor
traffic, in short to do the best they can
to check it, the temperance movement
is going on in the country, and that
without much aid from them, except
The good that must come from the agi-
tltion OF the subject Those of that
fAith came near letting the license fee
Of this city drop to 5000, by staying
away from the polls, though it is highly
probable that that would have brought
more saloons into the place. We had no
chance to vote no license. Would the
friends Of temperance prefer 5000 to
$500? We have, we think, given IN the
past issues, convincing reasons for pre-
forring the latter sum.
Nothing succeeds like success; and
where has the most progress been made?
Ia the Northern and Western states
where political prohibition has its
stronghold, OF in the Southern states
Wh re the movement is mostly non-par-
tisan, and where the people determine
for themselves by popular vote,
whether and to what extent the liquor
business shall be licensed or entirely
prohibited? 1t is freely admitted by the
press and by temperance speakers that
our Southern friends have done more to
abridge the evils OF intemperance than
have we Of the North. Moreover who,
that is acquainted with the facts, will
deny that high license in Illinois and
Missouri has lessened the liquor traffic
in those states, and has therefore
beeu II success to this extent and for this
purpose.
The comparison of the liquor question
to that Of slavery is frequently made,
but with little reason. The questions
arc entirely dissimilar The one now
before US for solution must be solved in
different manner, and comparisons
are only misleading. This evil is diff
ferent in many essential particulars
from every other. We are not opposed
10 prohibition, but we know that no
general prohibition, applicable to
whole state, can be made effective in
localities where the public sentiment is
opposed to it. There is danger in re-
lying too much upon the laws. Patience
and continued effort in any direction
that tends to the suppression of intern
perance viii one day end in prohibition
with public sentiment at its back strong
enough To enforce it.