Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-05-29


The following six propositions will be
accepted by multitudes, as so thoroughly
determined that they need little more
than to be stated.
l. The evil which prohibition seeks
to remove is 1.-THE gigantic crime Of
crimes" against society.
2. The superior practical benefits OF
prohibition over any other forms OF
anti-liquor policy, have been clearly
demonstrated by he workings Of pro-
hibitory law wherever it has had fair
trial. 1t would be impossible to find
an instance on any large scale where
license has promoted temperance.
g. The principles Of prohibition has
been fully indicated by the highest
civil tribunals Of the land, as sound
and just principle of jurisprudence.
A. Prohibition is in harmony with
the soundest political economy. Polit-
ical economy recognizes the liquor
traffic as the active cause OF four-6fths
Of the crime, pauperism, lunacy,
wretchedness and disorder that afflict
society, and it teaches, therefore, that
no legislative body can consistently
enact law which provides for the
licensing of the the sale OF alchohc
beverages.
5. The best and most advanced medi-
cal science has demonstrated that alco-
hol is not food nor an assmilator OF
food; that alcoholic liquors are neither
helpful nor necessary to persons in
health, but, ON the other hand are inju-
rious in their effects even when taken
moderately and in mild forms. If their
use were productive OF good their sale
should not be prohibited, but it is not
good.
6. Prohibition is in harmony with
the purest philanthropy of the nine
teenth century. The liquor traffic is
everywhere the implacable foe of phil.
anthropy, the prolific fountain OF the
woes she pities and seeks to ameliorate.
1t is objected by some that il the con-
stitutional amendment should be
. adopted it would then be dependant
upon statutory law for its enforcement;
that the statuatory law would be liable
to be repealed under some fuctuation
, OF public sentiment, and we should
then be left with constitutional prohibi
tion, but with no provision for enforc
ing tin condition Of free rum
under constitutional prohibition, which
I would be very demoralizing. We would
4 say in reply:
l. AS long as prohibition remains il
the constitution no license law can bC
enacted. This will be a great gain
> One of the worst things that can happier
to society is the licensing Of men unde
!, the seal OF civil authority, to perpetrat'
a the great wrongs Of the liquor traffi
= against humanity. Prohibition foreve
stamps upon the liquor traffic the in
: fanny of outlawry, even though W
q should have temporarily condition c
=. free rum in some places. 1t is beacon
4 of essential truth Illuminating and guild
: ing public thought.
J. 2. We are not likely to get constitu
r tional prohibition until public sent
= ment has been thoroughly prepared 10
: it. That implies good preparation 10
Q the enforcement and maintenance {
n the provision. If the party in powe
u does not enforce the law, its fate
doomed. Americans respect the laN
and will not support party long ths
trifes with it. In some States alread
), a third party has arisen with one object
D. the enforcement OF law. Law and orde
lie leagues will unite in supportinga la
y - and order party. Once having foo
|; hold, the prohibitionists, who hay
N grown wise during the past twent
D. years in dealing with this question, wi
= not give way until the drink traffic
. buried with the slave traffic. The az
IF vancing civilization is becoming tho
m oughly and irreversibly out OF joiI
~ with drink shops, and can not Ion
daily with these pest houses Of evil.