The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-01-21
The Fight Against Whiskey.

MI lRElL, ~ u, jan ~, 1891.
The Commissioners of Vance and those
of the towns in the county who are
struggling to prevent or curb the sale OF
whskey are not receiving the support
which we owe to them and ourselves.
This is to be attributed to inertness rath-
er than apathy, for the people are with
them.
There is no need to dwell ON the meas
ureless evils of the whiskey ira ffic; its de-
bauchering, debasing effect on q commu-
nity-for intemperance, like death, loves
shining mark-ior they are facts to
which We cannot shut our eyes if We
would. The question with all good peo-
ple-and | would not SANDER the county
by believing that the majority OF her cit
liens are not good peoples one of expe-
diency; OF whether prohibition really pro-
hibits. That it does largely prohibit is
beyond contradiction. The plea that
prohibitory laws and ordinances in that
they beget evasion and deception, slack
en- the moral tension of a community, is
almost as applicable to laws against
gambling and social vice. But the laws
are not condemned because in cur ing a
great evil they may intiict lesser one
The fact is that the whiskey evil like a
huge cancer, has eaten as deep into the
life of this, as OF most, communities that
it cannot be cut out without shock to
the whole system. But the virulence of
a cancer is surely not a reason for suffer
ing it to remain. The sooner an. evil
which cannot be eradicated without leav-
ing such scar is grappled with the bet
ter.
| have noticed that as u rule Il man is
eloquent in reasons why prohibition can
n or in hf,
loves a dram himself. The inference Is
that it must mike a dram harder to get
or his elOquence would not be SO apt.
The truth is that much talk Ofthat kind
is cOvertIy inspired by the whiskey sell
ers themselves, and very cunningly in
spired, for it is the sole argument in their
favor
The argument that prohibition is
wrong because it deprives the whiskey
sellers OF their business in which they
have vested right is not valid. The in
dividual cannot have a right which emit
ties him to work harm to the community.
Not only his property, but his liberty,
and even his life may be demanded by
the community in case OF emergency; and
for it's own preservation Or welfare. This
is the cornor stone of civilization.
But am perfectly willing to be taxed
to recOup the saloon men for all direct
| and even a fair amount of indirect loss
on the stoppage Of their means OF live
| lihOod.
Whiskey selling is surely an unholy
| calling but cannot see how we, the citi-
| Zens. who sanction it are one whit less
culpable than those who put the cup to
| the lips of men. 1t is n crime but we are
| particeps criminis. Nor can it be right to
make scape goats Of the whiskey men.
Let the law be on all our heads, for we
are equally guilty.
| At the same time let the commission
ers be firm to prohibit or shackle this
evil as the wisdom shall point out as
most effective to lessen it. If money is
needed with which to meet the opulent
| whiskey power in the courts let the peO-
| pie be appealed to and the money will be
Forthcoming.
The effect of the no saloon decision on
| the place is so far most marked and de-
| cided on the side of sobriety and good
! conduct. Topers who have scarcely with
in living memory been unfuddled are now
! decOrOus citizens going about the leglt-
| iamte calings.
| Thefear some merchants have that the
trade OF a dry town will suffer, is | think
unfoundcd. Some little trade may be
| thus lost it is true. But whiskey diverts
such vast sums Of money that would
otherwise be spent with merchants and
at the same time lessons the money earn
ing of community, that it's presence is
an unmixed curse to all classes and con-
| ditiOns OF men. O. W. BLACKNALL.