Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-06-04
Public Opinion.

III which our reader POSSESS n para
mount interest, we intend to quote
from the press each week such ex.
pressions Of opinion as seem to indl-
cate the heat Of the popular pulse
throughout the Territory.
Ia the front rank Of these expo
nen'S # the POPULAR sentiment. is
the S-s'tl. IhHiyoncrr. which has
always been on the side If temper
ance AMI morality. 1t
Il" Recognizes as an abstract truth
the evils OF intemperance and
also comedies much Of the probibi-
ZIONIST argument against the manu-
facture aud sale OF arden: spirits. 1t
believes the world would be better off
we're all kinds of spirits, wines and
formented liquors unknown, but it
recognizes the added fact that large
ma jority OF the civilized people do
not bolicve as it does. The total alb
staincis OF prohibitionists are but q
small minority in Europe and Amer
lea. Tho majority believe that
spirits, wines and fermented liquors
used in moderation are not only not
harmless but OF positive benefit. A
large proportion OF the manufactur-
ers Of and dealers in these articles
firmly believe IN the riShtiuluess of
their employment. Multitudes who
agree MS to the evils of int0Xication
and. posslhly, the unmitigated evil
of the use and sale of liquors, do not
think themselves in any danger by
reason Of an occasional glass, and
oppose NIL efforts 10 deprive them of
thcl, iavoritc beverages 10y law. The
social economist, as well as the
liquor dealer. recognizes the injus-
licc Of practically coniiscating mil
lions Of dollars Of what the law, dur
ing all ages. has recognized rs prop
eriy. Tho untold millions invested
in distillerics, brewerics, saloons and
tho various spirits, wines, etc,
would be almost entirely destroyed
in day or a month, could the pro-
hibitionist 30 quickly force his views
into the law OF the land. The law
has guaranteed TO every man the
hight to own lawful property.
Everywhere. except possibly in few
States and districts in the United
States, have liquors. etc, been re-
gardcd and protected as lawful prop
erly. Then. il tho State destroys or
Injuries the value Of mans property
that individual is entitled to compen-
sation by the State. 1t is inborn in
tho individual to resist what ho
deems an injustice. and oppression.
Tho drinking man and the liquor
seller thus resents what he considers
the wrongs tho pIohibitionist At
tempts to put upon him. The tenn
perance advocate too often forgets
that there are two sides to every
question aud that ho is rot the keep
or OF others conscicnccs. The sa-
loon keeper. whose house is closed
and stock in trade destroyed by a
probibitory law. which does not pay
him for his loss, thinks the law un-
Just, and violates il when he can
safely do 80. The temperance man
then calls him IN anarchist because
OF this violation OF law. The temper.
ance man says it is the will of the
majority that the saloons shall be
closed, and therefore that it is the
da,y Of their keepers, il they are law
abiding citizens. to yield. Most Of
tho temperance men to-day OF the
North, who were old enough, were
abolilionists in the 'forties and the
'flfties. They were in the minority,
bat their conscience acquitted them
OF wrong when they deliberately
violated tho laws Of their country by
encouraging and aiding slaves to run
away from their masters. They
were not such sticklers for law then.
A half century OF agitation and the
sacriHce Of half million lives were
required to free the land OF the curse
Of slavery. Our temperance friends
need not feel discouraged If it requires
"A quarter century or even half a cen.
tury Of ag,tstion, without the loss Of
life, TO accomplish peaceful aboli
ton of the twin curse of strong
drink
The Blaine Journal, whose head ii
! generally very level, says that.