The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-09-22
Local Option.


local option election, to be held on
Monday, November l, and for the
next FIVE weeks and half this
county will be in the midst of cam
paign which, from the movement
already being made ON both sides,
bids fair 10 be hot and exciting one
towards its close. Facts, undisputed
ones, taken from the public records
and common experience, will fill the
air in many a public hall and on
every street corner, both for and
against the law, and the press will
be demanded on both sides to influ-
ence the decision of the voters at the
polls.
First, it is well to clarity the at
mosphere by fair acknowledgment
on both sides that the arguments are
not all in one direction, and then by
granting honesty of intentions to
those who do not agree with you in
the matter, eliminate from the cam.
paign that element of bitterness and
personal animosity that is the curse
of so many of our public contests.
While we have decided views on
the right and wrong of the matter in
question, our views are necessarily
drawn largely from our own observa-
ton and experience, which have been
no wider nor more extensive than the
observation and experience of thou
sands of the citizens of Van Buren,
county. We have every confidence
in the good judgment of the people
of the county, and, should the ma
jority decide contrary to our views of
the matter, we will most cheerfully
bow our heads to their will.
At the present time, the Northern
er will not become partisan either
for or against the law. Perhaps,
latter in the campaign, we may feel
called on to make some biased edi-
torial utterances in the matter. In
the meantime, we are perfectly will
ing, even anxious, to bring the full
est and fairest information possible
to the attention of the voters of the
county, that an intelligent expression
may be had. With that end in view,
we invite a free discussion through
our columns, both pro and con, and
will willingly devote depart
ment each week from the present
time until election to the publication
of suitable signed articles on each
side Of the question. We say ''suit-
able" because in this discussion we
will permit no billingsgate or per-
sonal abuse, but rather the publica-
ton of information and honest argu-
ment; we say "signed" articles, be-
caused our readers are entitled to
know the source of the communica-
tons and thus Judge the weight that
should be given them. We will not
agree to publish ALL communications
that may be sent, because the de-
nand on our space may be too great;
but we will promise a fair and equal
chance to each side, if they choose to
avail themselves of it, and if both
parties do not, through the Northern
er, secure the widest possible publici-
ty for their views, it will be their own
fault, not ours.
To the voters of the county we
have this to say: The local option
question is an important one, and is
entitled to your serious study and
consideration, and then, after your
honest conclusion is reached, to your
vote. The vote cast should equal the
one cast in the general election of a
year ago. 1t is not just or right to
either repeal the law or to keep it in
force by half vote. Let every voter
turn out, that fair expression of the
people may be had.
AS for us, we believe the drinking
of liquor to be the sin at which our
efforts should be directed. 1t is that
which makes saddened homes, pow
erty, disgrace and crime. The use of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage is
wholly evil. The only question for
the voters of Van Buren, county to
decide is whether less liquor is drunk
under local prohibition or under IL
cense. The system that causes de-
creased use of the stuff is the best
system for society, and the financial
argument is minor one, although it
will be adduced from different stand
points both for and against the law.
III u