Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-07-13
w. C. 7. u. COLUMN.
Continued from last i0eek.

Continued from last t0eek.
N-rHE LEGAL STATUS OF THE IL
QUoR TRAFFIC.
We rejoice in the decision of the
Supreme Court, at Washington, ID.
c., in December last, fully vindicat-
ing the most radical Legislation
against the liquor traffic in our most
advanced prohibitory States. Fully
realizing the difficulty of protecting
society, by merely moral forces,
against evils sanctioned under the
broad seal of the commonwealth, we
call upon all our people to assist in
securing in all the States, as rapidly
as possible, such legislation that IL
uuor dealers "shall 40 longer have
law look as pillow, nor quiet their
consciences with the opiate of court
license" The absolute suppression
of the saloon is our objective point.
Some States and some localities can
not advance as rapidly as others. We
will often find the means for securing
our objects dependent upon conditions
we cannot easily or at once control,
and the judgment and conscience OF
every citizen must be left free to de-
termine for himself what cause be
will pursue. While, however, we
concentrate everywhere upon the best
practicable measures, let us see to 1t
that all our movements are real al
vances, and that we never trail our
banner.
" CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
We call for the aid of State and
| National constitutional amendments
for the suppression of the manufac-
ture and sale of alcoholic beverages
Confident that q very considerable
and respectable portion OF American
citizens desire to take their cause
against the saloon for adjudication
before the great tribunal of the SOW
ereign people, whose prerogative 1t ls,
in country like ours, to decide fund
amental issues in the last resort, we
believe it to be The wisest policy, and
the supreme duty of all legislative
bodies. to enact such legislation that,
under the forms of the Constitution,
the people may protect the home
against the saloon, by No-Bicense
votes, under Local Option regimen,
and, as soon as possible. by constitu-
tional prohibitory amendments.
XI.-ABoLITIoN OF THE LIQUOR TRAF-
FLO IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA.
Inasmuch as we are informed that
bills are now before both Houses of
Congress for the abolition Of the traffic
in alcoholic beverages in the District
of Columbia; and inasmuch as the
wisest statesmen and philanthropists
have often pronounced the liquor
traffic one of the direst enemies OF
civilization and human progress; and
inasmuch as the Congress of the U nj
ted States possesses unquestloned
authority to abolish this traffic in the
Districs of Columbia; therefore. this
General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. representing seven
millions of communicates and adher-
ents in these United States, respect
fully memorialize Congress to pass q
bill which shall outlaw the liquor traffic
in the District of Columbia; therefore,
Resolved, That copy of this me-
mortal shall be forwarded to Congress,
signed by the Secretary Of the Board
of Bishops and the Secretary OF the
General Conference.
XII.-INTER STATE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
Inasmuch as human experience has
taught that the use of alcoholic bev-
erages is q national curse, bligbting
the lives, corrupting the morals, and
sapping the material strength of the
commonwealth;
And inasmuch as certain States,
namely, Maine, Kansas, Iowa, Yer
mont, and Rhode Island, have enact
ed laws prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of alcoholic liquors as bever-
ages;
And inasmuch as the Supreme
Court of the United States has decid-
ed that such legislation is constitu.
tional;
And. inasmuch as said Supreme
Court has decided that intoxicating
liquors, in original packages, may be
carried or transported from other
States. and from foreign countries,
and delived to consignees within the
several States before named;
Therefore, it is the Judgment Of
this General Conference of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, that when
the people of any State, by due legis-
lative enactment, pronounce such ar
ticles contraband, on account of their
injurious effects upon the people, it IS
then the duty of the General Govern
ment to declare said liquors liable to
exclusion and confscatisn.
We would also respectfully inquire
whether the right, long claimed by
Congress, to promote interstate com
merce, for the real or supposed good
of the State, does not imply the right
and duty also to restrict or prevent
such Interstate commerce as inflicts
real or supposed injury upon States,
and especially when the States them,
selves have so adjudged and enacted
bylaws prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of alcoholic beverages
In view of the foregoing reasons,
this General Conference of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, in quadren-
nial session assembled, respectfully
and earnestly memorialize the Con
gress of the United States to adopt
such legislation as will secure to
States with prohibitory liquor laws
the undisturbed benefits Of the restric-
tive and prohibitory provisions enact
ed for their self.defense against most
noxious and destructive evil
ResoIued. That copy of this me.
mortal, signed by the Secretary of the
Board of Bishops and the Secretary
of the General Conference be forward
ed to Congress.