Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-03-09
Written for the Sentinel.
Our Local Option Law.

"History repeats ITSELF" A very common
saying, as partially apprehended as most
maxlms which have become articles of in
tellectual commerce What truth is in it is
grounded ON that other fact that thought Is
prior 70 all events, expressing itself in diff
ierent relations and under variant circum-
stances, but always as the characteristic of
universal mind. So, Napoleon said "What is
history but fable agreed upon ?" He only
can read history who has read himself For,
an account OF universal transactions is an
extended account of representative man.
The use of history is, therefore, to reveal
the natures, motives, principles, desires,
methods of generations gone, as the guide
10 expectation, the excitive force, the edu-
eating principle, the mentor, and restrain
ing power for generations present or to
come. Its teachings all show that if man
is not tyrant 1t is only because he lacks
the power. "The tyrant's forbearance is
not that of mercy, but of convenience"
MANS inhumanity to man" was grave, un-
righteous fact before it stood blazoned in
poetic protest. Hence Instructions, revo-
lutions, that wrested privileges, natural
rights, might be regained. Better far the
foresight which anticipates peril, and by
legislation while yet the hands are free Ell
fectually curbs secreted purposes, than even
tuo HcIOlSiA WulCu TclTlCfcS SuUJcCttou Wltn
the worlds best blood. Magma Charta was
a revelation. That curb to the tyranny of
OF John was the slow working but effectual
dissolvent of the teudal system. The year
1915 was the natal morn Of English Ii berty,
and through infectious sentiment and exam
pie, the dawn OF freedom tor the world.
When escape from the rage his cruelty and
oppression mad evoked made necessary the
flight of James III to the sheltering court of
Frances fourteenth Louis, the representa-
tives sof the English nation not only excluded
the house OF Stuart from the government,
vesting the royal prerogative in William and
Mary, but, warned by the treachery, hypoc-
risy, and perjury with which they were
familiar, Bin ol Rights was framed which
should control the actions of future sover-
eigns. Accepted by the Scots, the fruits ap-
pear in the Union OF the two nations, effect
ed in the reign OF Anne, next following,
1907. Let Us be admonshed. The same
evils that ruin kingdoms destroy countries.
The saune vigilance and wisdom are reQuir-
ed in the lesser as in the greater. For oaths
are straws, mems faiths are waller cakes" Ii
We wish to preserve our law We must watch
the politicians
This Is u lecturer 50 skilled in policy
Ihat (no dlsparagement " Satan $ cunning)
He well might read u lesson To the devii
He viii be virtuous or otherwise as har
monlzes with his interest He waits and
watches for the tide. On the car, the other
day, | overheard Back Republican say,
ave must take up the temperance question
and carry II through, for every other issue
has been taken from US The bloody shirt,
because OF tatters and vile odors, will bear
no further Haunting. In this country, the
Will ol the naorlty, right or wrong, must
be obeyed. THIS, And Tue consciousness oi
right, makes our temperance people omnip.
otent. We have large majority. Rel
gious observance Of II lew rules Will perpet
uate our present prosperity, and add To 1t.
by correction oi abuses. First, swear 10
send no mau To our Legislature who Is not
k,s0aon 10 oe lrrevocabiy committed to local
option. Ii lawyers may not be trusted, elect
farmers. Second, have u States Attorney
who cannot be cajoied, bribed, nor intimi-
dated into Delraying his constituency. am
told we have just such u man. Nous
Uerr0ns Should his integrity, in this respect,
be proved, then his future Is foreUer nude He
may, if he 50 eject, retain his Off sc tor life /;
or move onward and upward to any the
highest position within the power OF eleva-
ton by vote OF the temperance majority.
| Third, reiegate to oblivion and stigmatlze
with dlshonor any governor who shall par
don criminal convicted under the law.
| Fourth, elect sherifs who will not fail TO ar
rest upon warrant, and constables who will
not notify witnesses week IN advance that
on a certain day they will call for them, and
then report to the court, "Not found" y
Fifth, increase the penalty from fifty to five
hundred dollars, for the first offence, and
States prison ten years for the second Sixth,
let every respectable citizen avoid the places
where there Is reason to believe rum is So
cretiy dispensed, and brand with infamy
the rascal dealers. Here Is an element Of
weakness Ladies, and many church mem.
bers, spend money in these dens, while
honorable merchants are close at hand. To
certain extent, such people, without in
tending it, are pGrticeps crtnsinss 1t is II
shame that decent people, especially Chris
tians, should patronize such criminals J.
Seventh, let every lover of the law, and
friend OF his county, constitute himself
vigilance committee. The law breakers are
shrewd, but not intelligent;
For your crafty,
Your worldly wise man, he above the rest,
Weaves his own snares SO fine, he's often
caught in them.
IL is always lawful and logical to fight the
devil with fire. Ferret out the offenders.
Then, if the claws delays" and coadjutant
functionaries wear out all patience, look for
a convenient tree, a stout cord, and make
"short shrift."
JUNIUS