Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-09-04

Iney ladnere 10 the 'Old party ana
straight ticket and the regular can
didate," and then they go forth saying,
prohibition is, without doubt, the best
thing, but if we cannot prohibit we
must try to restrict"
In the month of June, 1888, the board
of managers of the Missionary Society of
the Methodist Episcopal church, in view
of certain communications received from
India missionaries, adopted and caused
to be forwarded to the imperial govern
ment of Great Britain an earnest protest
against the licensing of the social evil in
India. Their action was unanimous and
emphatic. How strange it would have
seemed if some member of the board
had arisen and said, "The social evil is
greatly to be deplored, but since Great
Britain cannot prohibit it in India she
does well to regulate and license itr'
The divine word which says, "Thou
shalt not commit adultery" also says,
"Woe unto him that giveth his neigh
Dor drink, that puttest thy bottle TO him
and makest him drunken"
If we may regulate" the latter, may
we not regulate the former? If we may
vote for men who favor the licensing of
one, may we not also vote for men who
favor the licensing of the other? Nei-
ther of them can be legalized without
sin.
One of the clearest notes from the
ecumenical conference at Washington
was that sounded by DR.. Nicholas, "The
church can no more ignore or compro-
mise with intemperance and the liquor
traffic than the social evil or other forms
of immortality"
When the missionary board voted
unanimously for the adoption of the pro-
test above referred to, no one was sur
prised. But surprise unmeasurable would
have been given to multitudes if, upon
candidates being presented to the men,
bers of the above board for their suf-
frages, they had voted for such of said
candidates as favored the licensing of
the social evil rather than for those who
opposed it. And so, while it is not sur
prising that Christian men should pro-
nounce "license" to be 'vicious in prin-
ciple and powerless as a remedy" it is
more than surprising, it is amazing,
that they should cast their ballots for
any man who is committed to that same
"vicious principle" of license.
The sad experiences of the past ought
to teach all churchmen the lesson which
saloonists have learned so perfectly
namely, that men are necessary as well
as measures. Prohibition measures are
good, but alone they are not sufficient.
They need to be enforced; they cannot en-
force themselves. AS well might we, at
the very outset, ask that they enact them
selves as to ask later on that they carry
themselves into effect. The strongest
cannon may be accurately aimed, but it
will never harm the enemy unless there
be some friendly hand to apply the spark.
Of what avail be Maine law if rummies
are to be elected to enforce it? What
benefit can result from even constitu~
tional prohibition so long as Christian
men vote for candidates who are out of
sympathy Herewith, aud who will, if
elected, wink at the violation thereof?
Saloonists will defeat, if possible, all
prohibitory measures, but if, in spite of
them, prohibition be enacted, they will
redouble their energy and open wider
their purses for the election of their
friends" They know full well that
even though their business be forbidden
by the law they will be able to prosecute
it just the same if they can only place
in Office men who will violate their oaths
and neglect to enforce the law.
Oh, for the coming of the time when
the power of the saloon to elect whom
soever it will shall be challenged by the
church, and when the church, in the
greatness of her strength, shall march
forth and trample this boastful, this
wicked Goliath beneath her feet! When
once the Christian voters of America form
and execute the determination to vote
only for pronounced and proved pro-
hibitionists, who stand upon unequivo-
cal prohibition platforms, the end will
be at hand and the saloon will go. May
God speed the day!