The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-24
A PLEA FOR PROHIBITION
THE PLATFORM OF THE PR0HI.
BITIONISTS.
A Law Based Upon II the Only
MeRas Of Putting a Stop to
the Evils Of Intemperance.
To the Editor Of the Lppeal

TO the Editors Of the Appeal;
Civilization is the art OF living to-
gether In human society. 1t is the re-
suit OF religious, intellectual, political,
industrial and social forces, aud is
progressive in III nature. II is the
duty Of every man u study this great
art and TO seek to bring himselt into
harmony with it.
There are certain great principles
underlying civilization which ought
TO be familiar TO every man, aud TO be
kept steadily in mind as rules Of pub
lie conduct We learn these principles
from history, which is hut record of
the struggle mankind have mate to
dieenRaae themselvs from a lower
condition and bring themselves into
a higher aud better s'1,e. May ! ssy
at this juncture that these sacred fun
damental truths, which have been de.
veloped by the history Of human
progress, ought to be the earnest study
OF every man who a7pircs to win the
confidence and franchises OF his
iellow-citizens, either az a maker
or executor of the lawsP May
] go further, and commend
these political axioms to the thought.
ful consideration OF the party lead RS,
who sssume to indicate 10 the people
the men who are to fill the various
offices. These principles are not theo-
retical, but practical; and sorieiy suf-
fers In the extent to which they are
disregaTded. For clearness, l numb Or
them and state them in my own lam
guage, though they can be found in the
pages Of al writers on political science.
/. The State is organized upon the
tact agreement that individual liberty
is limited. No individual hiss any
right to do what Injuries any other in
dividusl of the community.
2 1t is the primary object and su-
preme function OF law TO define the
limits OF individual liberty, and to pro-
tect society against its abu3e.
8. The Sta'e being clothed with the
discretionary right to determine what
is and what ia not dangerous to the
peace aud welfare OF its citizens, is
also clothed with the necessary police
authority to execute its will.
A. The State has decided that trade,
being public act, affecting Others be-
sides the individual engaged in it, is
properly subordinate 10 the public
will, and can only exist by its consen :.
No man can sell what he pleases.
5. II is inconsistent with the funda-
mental principles upon which the
State is organized, and destructive oil
the objects for which 1t exists, to per.
NIT any trade to be carried on under
the sanction and protsction OF Law
that is injurious TO the people.
8. Morality is the basis Of the State.
Politics ought to be the science Of the
ar cation Of morals TO public affairs,
Mr.. Herbert Spencer has pointed out
the danger to American institutions
from the suppression Of the moral ele-
ment n our public life.
7. There is an educative force in
law. II is, therefore, m inifestly dan.
gerous to the trus interests Of society
10 afford legal protection to vice. All
forms Of vice ought to be outlawed,
and made publicly odiou'.
8. Revenues raised at the expense
OF the virtues Of people are a curse
instead of a blessing. History has
taught this over and over again, with
sucn clearnesJ and such emphasis tina,
1t is surprising any intelligent person
will for moment question 1t.
9. No law absolutely prohibits the
evils against which it is aimed. In
the present imperfect state of human
society the best we can hope to do is
! 10 NaHtNna thn nxril 10 nsvt
invite all thoughtful men to apply
these principles &c the traffic in iotoxi
cauts. We have in Memphis perhaps
500 places where the sale of liquor is
authorized by law. The men engage
in This trade claim that they ara un.
der the shield OF public opinion, and
so far ss they can SHIFT responsibility
this ia true. We give them peImission
to carry on this traffic. But let ut
eliminate all personal feeling, and foi
the nonce drop the use of partisan
epithet', and calmly ask ourselves, i:
1t the right thing, in the light OF the
principles euumeIaed above, for us &c
permit this traffic to continue? Are
not these things true:
l. That the trade in iDtoxicants is
the source of a vast amount OF harm
to society. 1t is needless TO cite proof
! suppose no one will deny that the
liquor dealer is the only party bene
flied by this busine's. 1t hurts
everybody else.
2. That the absolute prohibition oil
this traffic is the ouly natural and
proper way of dealing with it. By
natural aud proper, l mean in har.
mony with the general policy of the
State in dealing with other evils. We
do not license, but prohibit murder.
We do not license, nut prohibit the
spread OF contagious diseaSes. We dc
not license, but prohibit the adulters.
ton OF articles OF Cd. We do all Of
this on the ground that the public
safely demands not that we should
regu ate but that we Should piohibii
such evils. Here is an evil OF such
magnitude that the mind shoulders TO
dwell uDon it. Should We license or
prohibit il?
3. That experience has demonstrate d
that prohibiuon is the most effective
meaus OF limitingthe drink evil. This
will not be as readily granted ss other
posi- have stated; but / am sure
a little investigation would remove all
doubt. 1t is difficult to explain the
intense opposition of the liquor dealers
to prohibit on, II it is the failure they
allege. IL is equally difficult TO ex.
plain why those communities which
have given prohibit on the iaire tri Al
should continue the policy If 1t is a
failure, S III more difficult ia 1t to ex.
plain the rapid development OF sentl-
ment in it's favor throughout the
country in the face Of the p rs's.ent
assertion that it Is failure.
II is customary to refer to those who
advocate this measure as "cranks."
enthusiastic" fanatics" etc. bu. in
view of the fact which can now
scarcely be denied, that this
has become a great etbico polti-
cal question of American civilization,
is it not time to abandon the billings
gate Of the ward politician and discus