The record-union., 1893-07-29


all the best interests OF our social and
civil life. Out OF il comes no good what
ever. The principle of opposition to 1t is
founded in the very nature of govern
ment. Just so far forth as government
falls OF protecting society from this con-
slant menace to social order, to personal
purity, to law, and to every trust OF citi-
zenship, just so far forth it fails of its
supreme end. And the principle strikes
at the traffic in strong drink as repre-
sented IN the saloon, the open bar. 1t is
tals that is the rdGSOn d' etre of all hostile
and repressive legislation. 1t is safe to
say that if it had not been for the saloon
there would have been no Prohibition
party. The principle of prohibition is
righteous hostility to that which is every
where a social, civil and political curse.
Ii involves not regulation, but extermi-
nation We do not pass laws to regulate
evils, but to suppress them. And the OBJ
jective point in liquor legislation, the
thing aimed at, hrstaand amidst and last,
Is the saloon, the open bar, the drinking
by the glass.
Now IL must be conceded that we are
not shut up to just one method of sup
preston underneath this general princi-
pie. Laws are frequently mere expert
ments to test method. A method is tried
under some form OF law, and if found de-
fectlve another legal device is instituted.
so with other great evils. 1t has been
and Will continue to be so with the liquor
lrafnc. Constitutional prohibition, legis-
latIVe enactment, national amendment,
State prohibition, local option, local ex-
cluslon, as far and as fast as we can get it
by so many feet from schoolhouse or
church, by ward, or district, or township
or county-these are methods. Over all,
round about all, consistent with all, is
the principle. Let no one contend for
particular method, however much he
may be in love with it, and however in
eXtricably it may be rooted with his
deepest convictions of efficiency, as if it
were the principle. On the other hand
let no one press a method, if, with any
considerable number of those who would
unite in repressing the saloon, that
method is deemed inconsistent with some
great moral principle. Ii the enemies of
the saloon are TO come together and unite
along any line of action, if they are to
stop divisive effort and to join in con-
certed effort, it must be by concession
concession that surrenders preference
while maintaining principle, and that
strikes the saloon without compromising
conscience.
For my own part, speaking as Prohi-
bitionist, would let every enemy of the
saloon in whatever party and under what
ever name, know past all doubt that Pro-
method, and that they will sink their
preferences as to lines of action, and at
once and heartily unite with all men in
any method which will set determinedly
and effectually against one OF the mighti-
est evils of our day.
Is there such a method? L think there
is, and it is pointed out and emphasized
by our common hostility to Lhe saloon. 1t
seems to me the great body of Prohibi-
tionists, pure and simple, should be will
ing TO unite with all enemies of the sa-
loon in furtherlng this method, 1t is to
capture as much territory from the saloon
as possible, narrowing the area of the sa-
| looms occupancy more and more, and
aiming at nothing whatever but the re-
preston Of the open bar. 1t is TO strike
unitedly at the saloon. first and last and
all the time, and let every other purpose
20 but this, to lessen one by one these hot
beds of evil and menaces TO public order.
This will demand of the Prohibitionist
that he give up his insistence on legisla-
ton suppressive of all manufacture of in
! toxicating liquors for beverage purposes.
1t will also demand of the Prohibitionist
that he do not press the drinking of alco-
hollc liquor as sin per Sc, and that he do
not urge any legislation looking to the
universal suppression of the use of such
liquor as a beverage. By 3 large section
OF the great body of men who detest the
grOg-shOp sucn legislation is regarded as
sumptuary legislation and an unwar-
ranted interference with personal liberty.
on the other hand, this method will de-
mand of those who have insisted on
license, whether high or low, as an
effective means of repression to let this
license issue lie passive. For by large
section of the great body of men who de-
test the grog-shOp license is regarded as
compromising legislation, involving es-
sential completely with the evil and as
therefore trenching on a great principle.
Ii we are ever to fight unitedly the COM
mon enemy we must respect each other
conscientious convictions. What is it we
surrender on either side? Simply a
method. We are asked to sacrifice no
principle; to make no compromise with
conscience.
This means the union of all temperance
people in single purpose and no other.
1t means organization, painstaking,
thorough, wide, pervasive, looking to-
ward one object, and no more. 1t means
if we can keep a saloon five hum
dred feet from a schoolhouse, we will do
that. If we can extend the exclusion to
! a thousand feet, we will do that; if to a
ward, or county, or city, or a State,
we will do that We will take what ter
ritory we can from every saloon-cursed
district everywhere. until the open bar
| is eXterminated.
! Prohibitionists, local optionists, license
men, Government regulationists, saloon
! opposers of every sort, let us forego our
| preferences, lay aside our prejudices,
stand for principle, insist on no shib-
| boleth of method, band together, and see
if we cannot smite to the death this ma
tional curse-the grog-shop.