The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1892-03-31

Special Cor, Of the State Chronicle.
Oxford. n O, March This is a
question Of great Importance. A solemn
responsibility rests On town and county
com missjoners who have to decide it.
They are innocent or guilty before
society and God according to their
decision. The encouragement or tho
suppression of vice in IFS most deadly
fo"ms depends upon it,
The law reqai IS that a person must
prove "good moral character" in
order to obtain license to sell liquors.
He must prove not simply a moral
character. but good moral character.
The word good nualiaes moral, and
means pure. high standard OF moral
character. But let US leave off the word
good for the present and inquire simply
what constitutes a moral character?
Moral means: "Conformed to rules OF
right, or to the divine law respecting
social duties, yirtuous, just. -
Webster.
Morality means: The quality of
an action which renders it good; the
conformity Of an act to the divine law"
Webster. Moral. ''Reiing % toe
actions of conduct of life; or tina. which
determines Al action to be good Or
yirtuous " Encyclopedia of Religious
knowledge.
In the light of these definitions can
there be any difficulty Or doubt il
determining what constitutes a moral
character? But mark you, these
authorities describe simply q moral
character, but the law Of North Carolina
goes beyond. and requires a good
moral character il one licensed to vend
LIQUORS; that in, he must prove that he
has all contained in these definitions,
} and that he has them in high degree.
, Can man have a good moral character
who wants to engage in grossly i'm
moral husiness?-a business th.t creates
: more vice, degradation and ruin thsn
s any thing else in the worlo?
viii a man Of" good moral character
rob innocent mothers and children Of
bread. clothing, education and comfort
5 - will he convert husband and fathers
Q into demons, aud send them reeIine
reeling home t. curse, terrify, beat anC
murder his wife and children whom b.
has sworn to love, protect, and provide
g fol? Will no decoy boys from homes O
d virtue and happiness, and make drunk
ards Of them; and blast their prospect
for time ana eternity; and send thei
parents in sorrow to their graves? Car
/ he take part in a business that makes
t kills. and danus more than sixtl
thousand people year in Ansrics? Car
man OF coed moral character be Ell
gagged in an occupation so vile, that III
decent lady, or good man will enter hi
e place of business? Ca1 be do a bis,
l. mass that draws around him, ike Ia
q dead carcass does the buzZards tn
: the West OF humanity to po!late AK
3 laden the atmosphere Of the dogycr.
# with cursiug, vulgarity and vomiting
10 To ayply tie word moral, and esp
II ciall ? gaol moral to sach characters i
a travesty on and disgrace to the fal
name Of morality.
Comm ssoners u no grant liceuse to sci
liquor are as reponsib!e for the curses Q
- intemperance as they are to whom the
y giant liesnse If such nen can &c
~ into heaven, then the gate OF heaye
- much wider than the Bible represents
80 20 be. All honor to the noble cor,
e missioners who vote against license
- They have the appreciation of God, an
'e the respect and esteem Of all goo
- people. No intelligent, honest jar
!. could convict them of a violation OF la
70 :, in refusing. They can stand with ciea
II conscience and safety on the very wore
~ of the law, good moral character"
~ j. a. STRADLEY