Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-09-28
THE AMENDMENT LEAGUE COLUMN.

The greatest living question OF the
age is the temperance question; ana
il is before us for settlement, but no
great moral issue is ever settled until
il is settled right. Every man, woman
and child is concerned here, for while
the traffic in rum is continued, as now,
no one can feel that they are safe, that
they will not in some way or other be
made TO feel its awful curse, and 1t
takes no very wise man TO see this II
he is open TO honest conviction.
Itlures the young into paths OF temp
tation, il drags down into shame and
pollution vigorous and promising young
manhood and debauched old age. Sta
tistics from the most reliable sources
show that the liquor traffic is the chief
source OF crime, pauperism and misery
of our own beloved country and OF the
civilized world.
In view of such facts il is surely the
duty OF every one who loves his coun-
v.
God. to use his influence and every
lawful means in his power 10 prevent
a traffic which only results in evil; and
which lacks a single redeeming fea-
ture, for il never has, neither can IL
produce anything but harm.
The saloon business is opposed To
every clergyman and teacher in the
land. Ii is business which is the
standing dread OF every mother who
clasps her son To her bosom and hopes
for his happiness and success in life.
1t is "A business which IL the constant
fear OF every anxious father who
thinks and plans for the welfare OF his
promising boy. Ii is business which
the faithful and devoted wife abhors,
because il has blighted the hopes OF so
many happy homes. A business that
makes 90 per cent. OF the business OF
the criminal courts and the pauperism
for which the taxpayers has TO pay.
A business which puts out the fire in
the home and compels wives and chill
dren To go hungry and cold and naked.
A business that fosters vice and crime
for gain. We arraign this business be-
fore the bar OF public judgment and
demand its condemnation; In the name
OF industry robbed and beggared; OF
public peace disturbed and broken; OF
private safety destroyed; OF common
justice violated; OF popular conscience
debauched; OF royal manhood wrecked
and ruined, and Of helpless innocence
waylaid and assassinated. Year after
year have passed away, but the cry
of remonstrance, though often raised
has seldom been heard or needed.
Deaf to all appeal, and Indifferent to
the groans OF the dying, the sighs Of
the widow and the tears OF the or
phan. Every domestic and social
bond has been annulled; the peace
and respectability OF families have
been destroyed; promising and be
loved sons have been torn from their
wives and families and the tender
mother even from the helpless and do
pendent offspring. No tie IL too ten
der To be sundered, and no vow too
holy to be broken. And still II goes
on running because the people permit
it; because our laws license and pro.
tect IT,
What responsibility Is laid upon
us OF West Virginia, since we are asked
to say whether IL shall be continued
or not In our borders and since the
Supreme Court Of the United States
has decided that It may be prohibited;
no one can shrink the responsibility
without compromising with wrong
and rejecting on his manhood-for IL
need interfere with no party connec-
tions, since IL il an issue entirely dis
tinct.
Let every man but do his duty and
this business must stop.