Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-01-23
PROHIBITION.

country, and which is destined to
kindle broader flame Of opposition
until a healthier public sentiment
shall destroy it's legality and check it's
ravages, is the legalized liquor traffic
and the evils arising therefrom.
The rapid growth of the traffic, the
drinking habits of the nation, and the
daring of the liquor men furnish
cause for increased alarm, and have
raised a large per cent of the temper
nnce people to vigorous movement
against the legal existence, and per-
nicious influence of the ruinous bust
ness. The necessity of more effective
means, in the struggle against this
particular evil, is now becoming fully
realized. Experience is fast teaching
tho important lesson that youth and
ansnhood are too curious and weak
ITO escape the seductive influence
which the liquor saloon everywhere
sexerts Those truly alive to the
character of alcohol, the saloon and
the giant Of intemperance, begin to
see theinconsistency and to repudiate
as a serious error, the practice OF Ii
censing with their votes a nuisance,
an accursed traffic in liquid poison,
which spreads sorrow, disgrace, ruin
and death, and even kills beyond the
tomb. Nor, are they content to fight
at long range against the existing evil;
but are sallying forth with drawn
swords and attacking its very founda-
zion, that from which it derives it's
show Of legality and respect. The
movement is timely, righteous and
urgent, and the attack wisely directed
and although the work is immense
and formidable, and the contest must
be long and trying, victory is perched
on the wings of time, and will event
ually crown the movement with sue
cess.
What else can be expected The
effects of alcohol upon the human
system, and its power against the
spiritual, social, civil and political
progress of the human race are no
longer questions of doubt. Observa-
tion, medical testim onv, and scientific
investigation, all are unit in their
verdict, that the liquor traffic is a
curse; that alcohol is an excessive
stimulus, SCATTERING the nerves, de-
struetive to mind and body, and dis
qualifying the individual for places
of trust and usefulness, and in thous
-ands of instances rendering him a
negative quantity in the arena of hui.
man probation. 1t is the cause of
disease, misery and physical decay
transmitting to posterity it's pernic
ious and fatal tendencies, and sub
lecting its scores of thousands annu-
ally to the fatality of that righteous
but terrible declaration, 'No drunk
ard shall enter into the congregation
of the Lord" Why in the face of
such averdict should the traffic escape
destruction =? What is there to com
anend it to an intelligent public?
Why should the law, which prohibits
she taking or sale of other poisons
for that purpose, license the indis-
criminate sale and use of alcoholic
poison ? Why should this business by
law, be given cost of legality, and be
treated with such lenity and partiality,
when it lacks the element, viz recip-
rocity, without which no business can
DE legitimate.
The fundamental basis of all legiti
mate business is that it shall produce
value. The law prohibits the estab-
8ishment of great national and state
lotteries because they lack this ele
'nent. Why should it legalize the
Liquor traffic, which not only lacks
this element but is immensely more
destructive in its effects. What re
'ciprocity is there between the liquor
dealer and liquor. drinker? What
value does the business produce?
What equivalent is received for the