Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-03-29

"Parturiunt mons, nacetur rdiculus mus"
has never been more appropriately quoted,
from the days Of the ancients down to the
present time than in reference to the result
Of the labors Of our late Legislature. Con-
vened for the purpose of nursing their old
mother through spell of debility-instead
Of cndeavoring to invigorate her enfeebled
frame, by TRANSMISSION of blood, they have
resorted to depletion. Like the noble bird,
The pelican, who on a memorable occasion
immortslized himself by wading into the
water up to his armpits, and turning around
and walking out again, they imagine that
they also have covered themselves with
glory by giving us the local option bill.
1t seems exceedingly queer how any set
Of men who had the interests of our poor
old debt.burthened State at heart, should
ut this time Of general depression, be will
ing to vote for any measure, which, if uni
versally adopted by the people, would create
a deficiency of between three and four hun
dred thousand dollars in the resources of
the State Prohibition has been tried in
several States, and also in several portions
Of our own State. In every instance it has
proved q decided failure, either in lessenlng
the number of liquor sellers or drinkers.
The question then remains, whether it is
best for liquors to be sold with revenue to
the State, or without revenue to the State;
whether it is best for the sale to remain in
the hands of men who comply with the
laws and contribute large amount to the
revenue of the State, or be turned over to
w-breakers The tendency of the age is
Enthusiastically towards temperance, chief
ly through the partial substitution of
malt liquors and light wines in
lieu of alcoholic drinks. This, how.
ever, does not satisfy the class of
fanatics who think the Almighty is not
working fast enough to suit their views
They are not content to wait for the millen-
MUM but would anticipate it by drawing the
teeth and claws of the lion and leopard and
forcing them to become bed-fellows with the
lamb and kid. The taste for exhilarating
or Intoxicating drink was implanted in man
bv the Creator, and instances have occurred
in which it has been INDUCED in to excess
from the days Of Noah and Lot down to the
present time, and yet, in the extensive code
given to his chosen people, in Leviticus and
Deuteronomy, We look in vain for prohib.
tion law. | see many evils that must in
cvitablv result from prohibition, among
which are the destruction of the property OF
those who have been induced 10 settle
among us and invest their capital in brewe-
ries, distilleries, rectifying establishments,
vineyards and wine cellars, the increasing
of our taxes which are now as great rs we
eau bear, and the driving away of business
and trade from our towns and cities to those
of other States. The prohibition party de-
rives its strength from two classes that
would seem, at first sight, TO be antagoniStic.
Firstly, the enthusiasts, who are actuated by
high motives, and who believe they can
overthrow intemperance vie ct arms, and
secondly, the broken down liquor drinkers,
who hail the prohibition law as q measure
calculated TO re.establsh their credit and
enable them to buldoZe the illicit seller, by
threatening TO turn informer. have yet TO
hear of one sound argument in favor Of pro-
hibiion that can be borne out by experience.
am q great admirer Of our Governor, but
cannot help thinking that he missed the
greatest opportunity of his life in not veto
ing the local option bill as passed by our
late legislature, although il was embraced
in the platforms Of both parties, yet at the
time Of holding both conventions the Su
preme Court had not rendered its decision
in the bond case, and we thought ourselves
masters of the situation. Now, however, it
is quite different. and if the Legislature is
convened as is expected, next fall, it may
probably have to hold coroner's inquest
over the corpse of our poor old State and
bring in the verdict ofdied OF too much law.
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