The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-17
AN ESSAY.
[BY 8. 7. Bossxal1As.J

Chic article appeared in the Gospel Messen-
ger, and we publis' 1t by request Of a Maryville
gentleman.)
There is perhaps no greater question before the
people to-day than this, What shall be done
with the liquor tratic9" 1t agitates the public
mind: it is discussed by statesmen; preached
about from the pulpit talked Of in the neigh
bOrhOod and social circles; and while the world
sits rs jurors, no verdict has yet been rendered
and brought into effect. There are but two
4sides to the question. either for Or against IL.
Touch not, taste not, handle not" on one side
os, Il will engage" on the other. Indulge, or
let the vilestuf alone! But while there are but
two sides to the liquor question in fact there is
an attempt to make another, and wereit not for
this vast army Of 'strsddles," who want to favor
both sides ofthe question, the fate Of the traffic
would sooner be sealed.
There seems to be general aptitude in man to
seek for gain and popularity. The. sta,ssmsn
holds his position by the wish and will q the
people. The politician caters to the wishes Of
.he temperance element with speech borierine
prohibition; but while among the brewers and
distilers he would leealize the tariff by license
VI tnAotAOus ~ mAuArto' OAtou pkoyb Wso POss
Of "dumb d on the issue, fearing shortage
In his rations from the parishioners. The MGR.
chant and manager Of ,,ahlc affairs fear de-
preston in trade and they TOO though temper.
ate themselves. do not lift up a iwarnihs voice
against this destructive evil Of TIE liquor traffic
Those persons just named may not indulge in
strong drink nor in the more harmless beverages
themselves; but, for the reasons already assign
ed, are poor workers in the great reform in res.
cuing the pesishing frep drunkard's
grave. 9hen we have another class Of workers
equally poor, and worse, which is the moderate
dnnker, who comes up masticatipg the words o.
inspiration, Be temperate in all things" ant
therefore claims Biblical right in moderate in
diligence and thoagh with good sterling quail
ties otherwise, ~ with this kind Of s.milk ant
water policy endeavors to please all. Then
again there is large class Of people who hav
an aptitude for stimulsnts next to natsnl appe
tite, madsso by their method Of living. Thei
!, experience which they claim next 10 iufallihili
u, is such, proving the correctness Vt thei
habits, that nothing bat that which 10 highl
Stimulating will odd 10 theft comfort and COZ
ltipuanos Of HE, hence the rum shopi their n
sort and they elsin justification in the Ct IN
GLASSES u people named in this article Ass hsr
IN ouaQses and to keep under restraiet woal
seem 10 require the severest exercise Of civ
power
} missrry but repeats ITSELF Aftsr nations, b
Ne most sauguinary Law have risen to Il
highest state Of civilization sAd rs1nensnt, the
TALL hack again to debaaclsegy and rim, main
~ excess in intoxicantA While this state I
sEais is deplorablc, while Individuals becon
lslaves to rum, famiiies ese ruined, the peace
the neiehborhood disturbed, and universal d
} prsvity the outsrowtA q this nefarious tran
what il he remedy Or this svil1 What positio
sAouA the State assumed What attitude Il
Church?
This great Babylon must Be taken, must
destroyed. One desires local option and kill
BY inches, another leealisins il by taxation a
stranele il h Death in thss way. another coz
placeutly folds his arms and says, Let it slos