Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-06-17
TEMPERANCE QUESTION.
1T IS DISCUSSED nv THE LY.
CEUM LAST NIGHT.
The Opening speech by MIR. w. II.
BrOwn, FavOring Prohibition
short Talks by other Members
of the Association.

snort TaikS by Other MemberH
of the Association.
The regular weekly meeting Of the
Lyccum was held last night in the hall
over Mes. The subject for discussion
was "Shall the United States prohibit the
manufacture, sale and importation OF
Intoxicating liquors?" Mr.. W. p. Brown
led the discussion.
This question:" Mr. Brown said
very naturally divides itself into two
main issues; one a matter OF law, the
other matter of fact. Blackstone sup
poses man in his natural state to have
no restrictions thrown around him what
ever. But when he becomes man of
society he necessarily gives up some Of
his liberties,
80 we consider our first point an
swcred as early as the days OF Black
stone; but the second issue has not been
answered up to the present time, and the
issue is the one to be answered by the
people. We as Americans, abhor and dc.
test the word prohibition and why
should we not, when it takes away our
blood bought liberties. But before we go
too far, let us pause and consider what
this word prohibition means to us. a
free people. Does it not behoove us as
patriotic citizens, to guard against the
evils that beset our people? Prohibition
here means protection instead of opprcs-
sion. Protection where it is needed and
demanded has not been given,
"Who is it that calls upon us for abso
lutte prohibition? 1t is the man who is
suffering from its evil effects, and cannot
throw off its grasp; and those who have
been made slaves by its use.
"Will our country license a man to take
the life of his iellow-man in cold blood
You answer No. But it has been doing
it ever since it licensed the first barroom
within its limits.
as whisky an evil? Docs it cause hu.
manitv to suffer? But you turn deaf
ear and say we need the revenue received
from liquor; that whiskcy is source OF
income that helps to maintain our gov.
crnmcnt. True enough, liquor yields a
revenue, but that revenue docs not, by
great odds, repay the damage done our
country by the drink curse. What amount
of revenue can right the wrongs worked
by the evil? Can anyone calculate the
number of lives, bright and promising,
that have been blasted. the hearts that
have been broken, and the drunkards
graves that have been filcd-allby liquor!
what can bc more indicative Of our
destruction than to see this proud nation
dealing out each day to its citizens thil
lrllish drink? We boast that ours is tn,
most Christianizcd nation on earth. But
have we anything to prove our assertion!
A nation of drunkenness and corruption
caused by the abuse of the dclicaclcs that
an all-wisc Creator caused to grow fol
our enjoyment.
"Then let us fight the liquor traffic al
VIC would a loathsome disease, gnawini
at our very vitals. As you love the chill
dren and youth of the country, put fortl
every effort that they may not experience
the evil effects of the curse. We hope 70
a country freed from the rum traffic.
MAY the suffering of humanity ant
the appeals of Christian land max
their way to the cold hearts of our legis
lators, and ere another decade rolls b.
on the flccting wings of time may thcr
not bc drop of this damnable stuff lef
to curse the American people"
Short talks were also made by W. I
Pcnniman, VIM. Ward, Tilman K. Gaines
Maj. T. {. Wcstallan Col. l.. NJ. Hatch