The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-29
Get Off the Fence.

Some people by nature are undecided
Their convictions are not strong enough
nor sufficiently defined, to bring them
squarely out in favor of, or in opposi-
tion to, anything. Talk to them of the
evils of licensed whisky, of the blood
and treasure consumed, Of the heart
aches and ruin produced, they see it,
and feel it, and agree that something
ought to be done to prevent 1t. But
when the very next hour the saloon ad-
vocate gets their ear and prates about
the curtailment of liberty, about the
evils of sumptuary laws, about tenn
perance cranks and prohibition fanatics,
they veer clear around to the opposite
side of the compass. They are sincere
in both aspects of their opinions, think
ing as others think for them, and always
deciding according to the argument
heard last and proclaimed ioudest.
These people are of no account as
leaders; they even excite the commiser
alton of the community, for their vacil-
lation; but they are of great service TO
increase the boom of the triumphing
faction; if that faction is evil, they are
a mighty power to swell the evil; if it is
good, they, without deserving any credit,
help to roll on the increasing volume.
That faction is fortunate one which
has gained the ascendancy. With these
people emphaticalIy is it true that moth
ing succeeds, like success.
The tide of prohibition has about
reached that stage, whence 1t can sweep
along on it's steadily moving current the
floating masses. They are beginning to
see it and are permitting themselves to
be drifted along.
The saloon men show by their actions
that they are becoming alarmed. They
leave no effort untried to defeat candi-
dates who are known to be favorable to
prohibition. Inprimary conventions and
ward meetings during the present canvass
bar-keepers and their employers have
been in attendance, who were never seen
in q political meeting before. Heretofore
they have manifested no interest in poll
tics whatever because neither party pro-
posed to interfere with the craft by
which they have their wealth. No matter
to them whether Radical or Democrat was
about to be nominated, liquor-selling
would be as profitable under the reign
of one as the other, hence they would
not cross the street to take part in the
preliminaries of selecting officers. But
more recently, they have been observed
to be out in solid phalanx, the main
spring, of their newborn zeal being
their desire to defeat some candidate
who is known to be in sympathy with
prohibition.
Prominent business men have been
threatened with withdrawal of patron
hax Il 70 inf rfsar4l
with liquor licenses. The whisky ring
are terribly in earnest. As the hope of
their gains is endangered, they rally to
the rescue, and are not particular what
weapons they use.
The friends of the temperance cause
need to be up and doing; steady and a
combined effort, which will not quail
before opposition, nor be discouraged by
delay, will soon bring into active CO.
operation that large number of we'll
meaning, but undecided, citizens, who
are just waiting to see which is the
strongest tide of popular opinion before
they fully commit themselves. 1t is not
strange that fear of losing patronage
should influence them, because patron
age is needful to their family support
| 1t is to be earnestly desired, therefore
that the controlling influence should be
won by the Prohibitionists, so that the
| loss of their vote and their patronage
should be more to be dreaded than al
the threats and prosecutions of whisky
rings. How deveutly to be wished
would such consummation be, TC
the reproach of Jackson, the fair capital
of the noble State of Mississippi, has il
been truthfully said that the bad ele
ment holds the balance of power. 1t Is
not alleged that majority of the citi
zens are of the baser sort; by no means
On the contrary, it would be difficuli
indeed, to find in any community {
greater proportion of high-toned, chival
rous, upright people. 1t is simply
because the worse element has beer
stimulated to unremitting and jealous
effort bv fear of the loss of their gain:
and their revelry, while the better class
content in the consciousness of theil
own rectitude, have not cared to enter
the lists against such unscrupulous
mal-odorous opposition.
The best citizens now are earnestly
moving to redeem their city from the
stigma which hath hitherto rested upor
it, and by the blessingof God upon theil
| labors, they will succeed. Let every
honest, earnest, true man help. 1t is /
time for decision, for action. Get dowT
off the fence and enlist heartily in push
ing forward the good work