The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1889-06-22
PROHIBITION BY LOCAL OPTION.

Mr.. EptToa:-The time is
near when the friends of Prohi-
bition in Mississippi must come
together in consultation on the
best methods to be adopted for
their observance In the future,
There Is difference of opinion
IN regard to the policy of Local
Option or a third National party.
These terms distinguish the lead
ing features of the great body Of
Plohibtionists in this country at
present. There is now Nation
al Prohibition party which is grow
ing, but not fast enoagh 10 be de-
pended on for the success of Pto-
hibltion, There Is an element IN
each of the two great parties much
stronger in favor Of the cause Of
Prohibition than the third parry
movement can commind ior a
long time In the future. This
strong force in each of these
parties can work by Local Option
and IN this way they can exercise
an influence for the good of the
cause IN every State, and finally
create u public sentiment that no
party in p ,wer can afford TO dis
regard. The stability of laws for
the repression of the liquor traffic
depends upon The enlightened
moral sentiment of the people.
Local Option work is IndIspensa ,
BILE to the completion of this great
reformation. Let the good work
be continued on this principle.
Local Option Is supported by the
slrlctest demands of justice. No
man has cause forcomplaint when
the question has been fairly pre-
sented and thoroughly eanvassed
In the community of which he is
a member. The advocate Of a
bad cause will Cease when hc has
lawful demonstration that pub
C sentiment IS against hiJcAuse.
If Il corporation, county or state,
in the lawful exercise ofthe right
to control their domestic interests
prohibit th traffic in intoxicating
liquors within their limits 1t Is no
injustice to any person inside OF
outside Of SAID limits. Loc9
Option IS cOmmondable for it,
educating Influence. The free
discussion of the questions con
nected with the traffic, and the
oft recurring reminder of respon.
slbilisy for its continuance, affeci
the mind and conscience tor good
as nothing else can do OF that
subject. When men SEQ clearly
that by casting their ballots oi
using their infldeuc' TO continue
the use Of liquor as beverag'
they become responsible for the
evil growing out of it, they vii
turn stheI influence against it
unless they are 50 hardened by
the love ot pecuuiary gain rs tc
be willing to risk soul and bodl
for 1t. The young are imp,essrt
with lessons of sobrlety and Will
Il horror toward a custom that ha
Decn so notorious for evil an,
| they determine, as they have th'
ability, to use all the safeguard
for thor protection for the pres
ent and the future. They know
how their fathers vote. Loca
Option in Mississippi has coms
from the Democratic party. II
that party we must look at th'
present, as we have done IN The
past, for help and encouragement
IN this laudabie movement. Tha
party is III mower IN the domestl'
interests of this State, aud II i
largely represented by friend
of Prohibition. but 1t will require
more than a majority Of the part
to carry the stale for Prohibition
Local Option will enable us t
discover when the time has COM
to take the vote Of the State OF
an amendment TO the CorstItu
ton. As Prohiblilonisfs and mem
hers Of the Democratic party, II
view of the rapidly growing sen
ItIment ia favor Of it IL all part
of the county where the question
Is agitated, we may venture d
say that the pIrty platform ough
TO assure us that Prohibition shal
prevail IN the State whenever th'
majority vote ID favor Of II
J. w. SANDELL.
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