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

oSi dutt thc ldHu eoo pure W toIeIdJe
the defling influence of saloon. In
this war the voices ofintellieent men
and women of color should have no
unmistakable meaning, nor their
conduct any doubtful bearing. We
may doubt men and question the
wisdom of methods, but as to our
convictions concerning the fact that
the saloon is curse, that is destined
TO become insufferable that ought to
and must go, we should be unit.
We should not only have the con-
sistency to refrain from attempting
to underrate the merit Of the move.
ment, or injure the reputation of
those engaged in it, but we should
have manliness and courage to give
it our hearty approval and active
aid. But what is in reality the fact?
To our discredit and shame it must
be admitted that our people are as
tonishingly Indifferent as to their
duty in this matter; yea, more; for
they are much more generally OPP
posed and active in their opposition
to the movement than in their efforts
to aid or encourage it. There is a
large class reasonably intelligent
who when addressed upon the sub
ject OF intcmperance, the evils of the
saloon and the reasons why it should
be prohibited are always ready with
the reply; that an occasional drink
will hurt no man and that every man
has the right to eat and drink what
he pleases, and to prohibit this priv
ilege by law would be an infringe
mont upon personal rights, and
gross injustice. That if men abuse
these privileges and degrade them
selves to the level Of brutes. they
alone are to blame If the evils of
intemperance affected only the in
temperate, these objections might
have color Of plausibleness but
when we consider the ills with which
they affect society at large, the dep
rivation and anguish of soul with
which they affect innocent women
and children. The fallacy of the
objections becomes foreibly appar-
ent, since human beings began to
live under organized government,
till now the right or good of the in
dividual has yielded to the right or
good of the public.
1t was so under the Mosaic dispen-
sation. 1t is so now.
If q dangerous epidemic breaks
out the government quarantines.
individuals may in consequence of
prohibition sustain the loss of thous-
ands, no difference the public safety
is threatened. There is another class
of the race who persist in speaking
contemptuously of the new awaken
ing and effort to destroy the legality
Of the traffic, as q fanatical effort to
accomplish an impossibility. The
fact is that the objections of both
classes are but the sickly fallacies
and paltry pleas with which those
who have stood in the frigid regions
of indifference have always sought
to block the wheels of reformation
and progress. To doubt that a bus
mess which has nothing to commend
it and everything to condemn it is
destined to be destroyed is a stigma
upon an enlightened civilization, and
a disparagement of the efficacy of
that spirit, which has softened the
hearts and made tender the con-
sciences of men, displaced the sword
by reason, and wrought wonders in
the destruction Of oppressive insti
buttons. The stimulating and act
uating influence of this same spirit
is destined to free the nation from
the curse of the saloon.
Then let us not stand aloof croak-
ing, while others are fostering a SEN
timent which shall sweep away the
saloons. But let us show our appre-
citation for the spirit of moral re-
form. which did so mueb fo,. ne ond