The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-05
For The CLARIoS.l
Jurisprudence of Prohibition.
BY J. W. HARMON.

Mr.. EDITOR: As your wide circle of
readers enjoy the clash of argument, and
probing into matters and things, and
take nothing for granted unless 1t y
sustained by sound argument, we pro-
pose line of thought that we hope will
shame indifference, quicken the dull
pulse and turn loose ten thousand tongues
to talk prohibition.
The doctrine so popular among us IS,
that political power inheres in the
people: that people form societies,
societies form commonwealths; that
States or commonwealths form govern
ments; and from this great parent stock
originates the right and principle OF
self-government.
But behind all these, and undergirding
all societies, and all governments is the
Fundamental truth that mind capacity,
Judgment, and the right OF SELF
government, are divine creations
whether existing in the person, the
society or the government. The com
monwealth," therefore "the State" "the
body politic,n is recognized as a moral
person, inasmuch as the state, or body
politicp possesses understanding, reason
and viii Of which it makes use IN
selecting its servants for the conduct OF
its affairs, and because it assumes obliga-
tions and rights.
IL is a settled doctrine by writers OF
political economy and the commentators
Of law, that an organized government, to
answer the purposes of its existence
must be administered solely for the
protection and general good of its citizens
and the citizen is bound to act so az to
preserve the we'll being of the State. The
argument, then, is conclusive that nc
person or CON bination of persons must
project any business, nor must the state
authorize any person to pursue any
calling that will be injurious to society
OF TO individuals of the State.
1t is also a fundamental principle IL
political economy, and By all master
commentators of law, that no pan pos
sesses the natural right or inherent au
thority, TO use his personal property tt
destroy the prosperity or the happiness
of individual citizens, or to pursue
any calling that will injure the peace
good order, or well being of society. Ihl,
Is in direct antagonism to all gooc
government as set forth by Blackstone
and all able lurists.
From whence. and by what authorlt,
did Legislatures derive the power Z
authorize men to use their property q
the damage Of the State, the injury OF he
citizens, and to make war on all goos
government
From whence did Legislatures ge
authority TO empower Town Councils
Police Juries, or Boards of Supervisorsst 3
issue licenses to men to use their proper
ty to the detriment of society, to breal
np the peace OF families, and to dethron
the reason Of fathers, sons and citizens
By what right of justice, equity Q
sound law, did Legislatures obtain au
thority to turn loose upon these State
so monstrous an evil, so unmitigated
curse to society as the manufacture an
sale of Intoxicating concoctions an
poisonss the result of which have alway
produced crime and useless crimins
taxation. destroyed the happiness Of THUG
ar,ds az innocent families and brougt
ahout bloodshed and death to Thousand
Of citizens OF the States9 This has bee
the invariabIe work of the saloons an
: the licensed sale of whisky. II seen
almost incredi Bile to make such charg
and formulate such an Indictment, an
not have cyclone of indignation swet
through the Legislature, and consie
everv man who votes to sustain 50 te
rible a wrong and to- perpetnate
devilish curse, to the penitentlary \
life.
Ye men Of sense end Judgment
Mississippi. We Christian men who Pr
Tend ~ be governed by the law OF ~
and love Of heaven who get down y
on veur knees. and utter the Lord
<tF - <Lxr ..,ifI br done on ear