The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-21
Special to Times-Democrat 17tb 7

T., IL.
The Jackson Prohibition Club had a
very large attendance last night and was
opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Caldwell.
a permanent organization was effected by
Inc "a, elec.lon OF b. w. Griffith, as president /;
L. Barr, secretary, and John It. Buck
treasurer. A constitution was adonted and
an executive committee of six nrovided
Tor, to be named by the president.
Mr.. Griffith on assuming the chair said
IN substance Prohibition means the abnI,.
ton OF the sale of liquors. It a prac
cal question. Also, as dealing with the
government II Is political question. bu
does not In that sense refer to or embrace
anyoi the political parties Of the day. There
is no tree sale OF liquor in any State. but
the same has restrictions in all. which is
prohibition to that extent. We propose.
entire prohibition. If the sale of Iionors
Is harmless 1t should not be imposed with
any restrictions. Ii harmful it ought MOI
to be licensed at any price. Il concerns
government and public morals. If wrong
we cannot permit it.
lie then dllated upon the evils of intern
perance, and portrayed bright picture
that would result from prohibition. He
SAID prohibition will not abolish free pub
nc schools the Constitution and laws re
quire their continuance. 1t will not in
| crease taxation one cert. He admitted
that the deficit arising from the withdrawal
OF the revenue from the sale Of IL
| quors will have to be made IN by direct
taxation, but said that if the State tax
| should be increased to five mills. still the
| counties cannot go beyond certain limit.
which limit Is now already imposed.
Rev. DIR. John Hunter spoke in effect as
| follows 1t was new role for him to
| spe upon political question. He was
| mere as citizen, and ne had ri hit to
give ms opinion on any question. The
| question is Shall the saloons COP 1t is
a moral as well as a political question.
Were 1t not moral question he would
not speak. Ii moral question, it refers
to conscience, and ii to conscience it refers
to God. 1t addresses every citizen" He
descanted at length In strong and forcible
language on the evils arising from SALOONS
aud ridicuied the idea that they can BE-
regulated by law or held in legal bounds
by ofncers OF the law, in proof of which he
quoted nigh authorities two centuries old
de mad no war TO make on any one and
dld not say that the opponents to prohibi
ton are not gentlemen. His criticisms oil
said opponents were respectful, but severe
| - Saiu "c was rSspcnsluie ior everything
he SAID that he has always stood in his
| own shoes and expects to do so the balanc,
oil his days.
The opponents OF prohibition are doubt
less CONSCIENTIOUS in their opposition, bu
all consciences are not good They ma,
be mean and should be instructed. A maj
must distinguish between his conscience ant
his interest, his self-will and prejudice
The opponents of prohibition propose nj
reformation
The speech was received with much en-
thusIasm, and on its conclusion Presiden
GIIffith remarked that involving, as
does, moral question, he wished to pusl
1t; that there are many who refuse TO tax
either side, that he proposed to make tn
fence SO high, and with barbed wire, so tina
no one can sit on it. Many new name
were added to the roll of members.