Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-11-26
A NATIONAL PROBLEM.
Liquor Traffic and Enforcement of Law
Discussed by the Head of the
Law and Order League.
Passionate Argument for Popular Regula-
ton Of the Trade The Law
enforcement Tide Rising.
BY CHARLES CARROLL nossEy,

supreme question o; the day. There is
widespread and indignant complaint at the
delay, the uncertainty, and the expense OF
judicial administration, and the practical
failure in thousands OF cases of remeaia,
justice. Here and there throughout the
country mob violence breaks forth and
executes summary vengeance on supposed
perpetrators of crimes. Criminal conspira-
cles are almost openly formed in the great
commercial centers to control the necessa
ries OF life, or the supply Of labor, or its
compensation. The dang, rous classes of
the great cities trample under foot the laws
enacted Tor the protection OF elections. and
Tor the honest conduct OF public works,
for years these great evils have gone on,
growing more and more powerful and def
ant, and now their champions toldly and
openly claim the right, not only to exist nm
harmed, but to exercise a full share of the
powers of government.
Meantime the good and upright people
OF the country, recoiling from a hand-to-
hand fight with these malignant enemies of
the general welfare, have Zealously devoted
their energies to money getting and
church. building, while they have carefully
neutralized their political power by quar-
reling with each other over some party
dogma of no more practical importance
than the weather predictions Of last wears
almanac.
But, at last, the earthquake is here. The
red flag mocks at justice in American
cities; anarchy perpetrates murder with
dynamite i'll American streets; armed and
drilled conspirators seek the control of
American factories and commerce. At last
the better classes" are aroused. At last
they are crying out like the prison-keeper
who fell down before Paul and Silas.
what must we do to save our banks. and
stores, and factories. and churches and
homes from the destruction that threatens
them?" The question has been long time
IN coming, but it is making up for its DELAY
by the urgency with which it now demands
q reply.
There is but one answer The good peo-
pie must make the faithful discharge Of
their duties to the Government regular
and permanent matter of business, or thew
must suffer all the evils of rabble rule. The
lawyers and Legislators must sweep away
the causes Of the present delay, uncertain
ty, and excessive expense of legal proceed
ings, and secure to the people, especially
to the weak. the friendless, and the moor.
speedy and substantial justice, without
conditions and burdens that cost more than
the results sought are worth; or mob out
breaks Will become more frequent, and the
regular administration of Justice suffer q
further decline in the public esteem.
in the light Of recent events, the need Of
reform will readily be admitted. In the
presence Of Q great Peril, many will stand
ready to make sacrifices for the public
good. and ask what they can do, with a sim
cere desire to perform their duty in the
emergency.
The Law and Order Leagues have an
swered that question. They have proved
in numerous cases throughout wide ex-
tent of country that the laws can be en-
forced by the agencies and in the methods
provided by the laws themselves. if only a
few good citizens in any locality have the
requisite faith and courage. and will give
the matter the necessary attention.
| "One thing at time and the worst thing
| first, is a maxim for the council chamber
and war cry for the battle field. untie,
which thousands of substantial victories
have been achieved. ANY citizen who knows
| that violation Of the law has been COM
mitted can make a complaint ard institute
a prosecutions; and there are few, very few
| public officers who will refuse to obey the
law, when resolute association Of the PEG
pie stands ready to applaud duty done,
and to ceps,lre, and. if that be moi enonoh'
proceed to Impeachment aud punishment
| for q violation of law and a BETRAYAL Of q
public trust.
The laws are . standing army Of free
people. They are always ready to act. if
| their aid be pronerly invoked 4 deter
mined call Of the peopla inspires them With
irresistible power. ana when summoned il,
the appointed mode, ana for lust cause,
they smite the wronc-d oer and protect the
onnressed with an efficient hond m,
| proof is at every mans door. He may try
The experiment. in his own ue;ehborhooi
and verify the truth that the laws can b.
enf,rcel.
Ills now universally known and eencr.
all, admitted that the liuaor traffic i,
everywhere all obstruction to the enforce.
! ment Of the laws. 1t is SO. in the nature O,
th;nps. It is 80 dangerous That il m,,st h,
restricted, and SO greedy and arrogant tina
II constantly seeks to ovade or override th.
restrictions. From Matthew Hale to Noal
Davis there is an unblpi1en line Of iudi
cial testimony that frorn three -fourths tx
four-tifths Of the violations of the cri1nina
law are committed under the influence O.
| Intoxicating drinks. And this voice of til,
last two centuries only repeats the story o
the former generations.
Political corruption has its birthplace
home and fortress in the LIQUOR saloon. |
is only under the influence of strong lrinl
| +bot ,,,,oo,, ha;nrS ran ha dahoro1 r., NOR