The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-08-28

| Duties of GOVernments-PrO
Mr.. EDITOR: The duty of govern
ments and the laws aim, is to protect
life, liberty and the property of the peo-
| pie, so it seems to be the first duty of
| governments to prevent the waste of
| human life in broad sense, extending
| to removing the dangers menacing hu-
| man life as much or more than taking
man out of danger, and as more human
life is wasted by the use of strong drink
than by pestilence, war or any other one
cause, strong drink should be at once re-
moved to the fullest extent of prohibi-
tory law, vigorously enforced, and thus
protect the Weak-minded man who is
shortening and wasting his own life by
the use OF rum, as we'll as protect his
neighbours life that is threatened by his
drunken crazy freaks. This would seem
as much the duty of governments as to
prevent crazy persons from DESTROYING
themselves and others. Drunken men
are more or less senseless, hence crazy
and dangerous, and their own families,
as we'll as the community, should be
protected, and prohibition would be a
short cut to safety, and show a willing
ness on the part of the government to
do what 1t could to abate the evil and
protect life.
If savage beasts or banditti invaded
these Islands and committing depreda-
tons on persons and property-though
not as destructive as rum, but killing
OccasiOnally-the whole powers of the
Government, the rifle clubs and other
volunteers would be aroused to EXTERN
mate those dangers that threatened the
lives and property of the people. Such
acts would be commendable. Why not
act as wisely when dealing with the
more familiar, at the same time more
destructive and dangerous beast-rum?
When governments act wisely they do
not punish those that get injured bv
mad-dogs, poisonous serpents or mid
night marauders, but go for the dog, the
snake or the assassin. But when thew
act outrageous'y foolish, they license
the sale OF rum and punish by fine, i'm
prisOnment or death, those that get bit
by the snake of the still, according to
the degree of the crime committed while
under its influence, thus furnishing the
child that gets bit instead of the dog
that bites. We say, act wise, kill the
dog that bites, and abolish the rum that
ruins. Then none would get bitten bv
it or injure others while under its in
huence.
PERSONAL LIBERTY.
1t is conceded that the fullest liberty
should be granted to man to pursue life |
and happiness, but that liberty means |
life and happiness, not death and misery.
Liberty in this sense is not license. but |
liberty to do right, not liberty to do |
wrong. Hence man must not think his |
lawful liberty invaded because he can't |
drink and get drunk if he will, and do |
to himself and others around |
him. This mischief is not intended bv
the drinker when drinking, but it is the
effect OF the drink, and such should be
not by keeping man away
from the drink but by keeping drink
away from the man, and prohibition is
the tool to use. One that pleads per
sonal liberty" to drink and get drunk if |
he chooses may be a man of strong mind |
and can drink or let it alone. Such of
course can't realize the position of the