Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-03-16
Our Local Option Law-Another View.

Mr.. Editor One can judge from th,
letters of "Junius" that he is well versed In
letters, and so far as sobrety and temper
ance are concerned heartily commend and
endorse all that he says, but like Paul in
his prosecution of the Christians, may he
not permit his zeal to carry him beyond the
recognized pale, both Of safety and civiliza-
ton.
He should recollect that Magma Charta
had its birth in the oppression resulting from
one-man power, and that one an oppressor I
and tyrant; and it was to protect themselves
and preserve some of their rights that the
Barons forced from John the rights secured
by Magma Charter. In this country we
neither have nor recognize any one-man
power, on the contrary, using his own lam
guage, 'the will of the majority, right or
wrong, must be obeyed." Under this safe
and benign system OF government, what
country has grown, fourished and prospered
like un to the United States of America
and that even without attributing much OF
its prosperity to the influence of Local Op-
ton.
But he goes beyond this rule. He demands
that any Governor be relegated to oblivion
and stigmatized with dishonor who shall par
don criminal convicted under this law.
Then the wisdom of the past and present
Governor of that power to exercise mercy
whatever might be the circumstances sur
rounding the case. 1t might be technical
violation of the law, without any criminal
intent 1t seems that he would upset the
golden rule that "justice should be tempered
with mercy"
fully agree with him that sheriffs and
censtables should be required to strictly
perform their duties, for failure on their
part stops the wheels of justice, and the
hand of the law is staid in its execution.
The part of "Junius'" letter which struck
me with most force, as showing to what a
reckless extent his zeal had carried him, is
this, Ferret out the offenders. Then if the
laws delays and coadjutant functionaries
wear out all patience, look for a convenient
tree, a stout cord, and make short shrift."
L can not think for a moment this language
was intended to convey its true and literal
force. | would rather say it was the pro.
uct of a zeal which permits the fancy of
Imagination, poetical license to soar be-
yond strict rules that would justify one in
suggesting lynch law, and that to the extent
OF hanging for violation of the Local Option
law. l am sure ifa death penalty was affixed
to its violation, it would soon be repealed,
and what ofgood there is in it would be
lost. Again, lynch law is never commend
able. 1t only asserts itself and exercises
its functions when mems passions over ride
their sense and judgment. The man resort
ing to it would be guilty of murder.
"Junius" should accord to his fellow wman
some liberty of views, and whilst all upright
and honest men will concur with him that
while the law is ON the statute book it
should be honestly and rigidlv enforced,
and that every one who violates 1t is
wrong doer and law breaker, this is by no
tls. 1axr hi tt
impossible to enforce; and the graver ques-
ton now is, Whether, in strictly moral
view, the law is not productive of more
evil than good? Ii such be the case, then as
"a lover OF morals AMI religion would "Ju-
MUS" say let il stand or repeal it. Its preg
nant evils are those Of q fruitful source Of
perjury, opening the door to the avarcious
law wbreaker to amass wealth through an
illegitimate trade, and subjecting the tax
payer to heavy burthen without any com
mensurate compensation in good.
Again, many think the great wrong and
evil is in the man who drinks the alcohol,
and not the seller. 1t must be admitted
there is great force in this position, outside
the fact that the law as now existing makes
the seller wrong. .doer. Let me ask "Juni-
us" simple question: If there was no
statute law prohibiting this traffic, who in
the eyes of religion and of the moral law
would be guilty of evil, the seller or the in
temperate drinker? The law of God GER
tainy condemns the druukard, and the di-
vine law is the foundation of all human
law. If the drinker be guilty OF the crime,
why should he go free and the seller pun
ished? Ii that law, emanating from its Su-
preme source, condemning both body aud
soul for its violation is net regarded by man,
can we by changing the crime by placing
home
expect to correct its evils. | fear we are
trusting in this respect tce much to human
inventions, the durability of which are too
aptly portrayed in the Book. If good men,
religious men, men who have at heart the
good of society, will put their stigma upon
every man who makes himself the slave of
intemperance; if it be known that he is no
longer to be respected or esteemed by his
fellow man, that the doors of social inter
course are shut against him, that he can
hold no Office of profit or trust, should
hope more from that than all the human
laws can or ever will do.
MORAL LIBERTY.