The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-03-30


law defining that to be crime which
majority of its citizens are not yet prepared
to consider crime and will not punish las
such. We believe that it requires such a
public sentiment as is indicated by at least
majority to make prohibitory law sue
cess in any community. This leads us to
believe in the plan of Local Option and that
If We go faster that that, we may be increas-
Ing our haste, but lcssening our speed.
The JOURNAL asks where would be TIE
temperance cause in Iowa If they lad pur-
sued the Local Option plan. | will ex-
plain where think it would be. In Iowa
the prohibitory law was passed by the
State, for all parts ofthe State. We are
informed that Ia about so counties it is we'll
enforced, in the remaining counties (per-
haps II, 81 speak from memory il is only
partially enforced, aud in one or two of the
largest cities 1t is much violated. Now that
is good showing for Iowa. / rejoice at it.
But Notwithstanding the good showing, we
hear as much of the failure of the law in the
few localities where 1t is not fully success
full as we do Of its success IN the greater
part of the State, and these failures furnish
ever ready texts in the papers and ON the
Iowa adopted the Local Option plan, prob
ABLY every county where it is we'll enforced
would have adopted it, and these being the
only counties having the law, Iowa could
be pointed to as an example Of the unqual,
lied success of Prohibition 80 far as it had
adopted it.
The writer does not share the fears of the
Journal, as to the uncertain tenure by
which we should hold the law on the Loo al
Option plan. did not think it desirable
that we should have another vote at this
time in this county, because there has not
been time enough to demonstrate fully the
good effects Of the recently adopted law :.
But do not believe that any good will re-
suit to the cause of temperance by any
county holding on 10 the farce of possessing
such law that the citizens will not uphold
at the polls. / believe further that VIII ere
the citizens will not so uphold it they do
not deserve 10 have it. 1t must have be-
come dead letter to them. Probably the
best thiugsthat can happen 10 then, will be to
have it taken away from them, and let them
"suffer awhile" until they are again stirred
up 10 a just sense of their responsibilities
and duties.
The Local Option plan need not prevent
Stale and National organizat,onp werful
aid In local contests for temperance agitation
Such organizations could find enough to do
in educating public sentiment, without seek
ing the adoption of state or National laws.
They could even lend hand in local con-
tests in furnishing speakers, literature, &c.
In conclusion let me ask the readers of
this, that when the JOURNAL has gone over
this rough shod, as of course it will, do not
look for me to keep it up-,he editor, you
know. has the right to the last word-but
just pick up this paper again and read over
what have here said. for my reply.
T.
I'VE must disappoint friend t by
not going over his local option
theory trough shod" for lack of space
but by way Of reply will publish the
history Of the workings of real
local option law in or next issue.
Us is only an imaginary law.]