Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1901-04-12

there is thorough organization
throughout the state-and particular
ly on the Missouri Slope-of those who
are opposed to 1t.
The people Of Emmons county are
getting their first taste of the ex-
penses that In many sections Of the
state have proved a serious burden
upon county finances. In the minutes
Of the commissioners, in another COL
umn, will be found the opening gun of
a campaign that will cost the taxpayers
Of Emmons good rrand sum before
they are ready to surrender to the
malicious gang that are making pro-
hibition prosecutions . weapon Of per-
secution for political action. And it.
should not be forgotten that the few
dollars Of fees SO far paid by the coun-
ty IN prohibition cases are but drop
in, the bucket when compared with
those that are to come. There are six
prohibition cases to be tried at the
coming term Of district court, and the
costs will undoubtedly reach a good,
round sum.
~
And what will be the result? We
believe it will be o total failure to pre-
vent the, sale and use Of liquor in this
county. People who live here and pay
taxes will not quickly and quietly sub
init to- the dictation of outside fanat-
les who are here to-day and there to-
morrow. Fully three-fourths of the
voters of the county are opposed to the
prohibition law, and they do not de-
mand its enforcement any more than
they demand the enforcement of the
act compelling the destruction of nox-
ious weeds, or the many other freak
statutes that cucumber the code. The
present prosecutions-or prosecutions
in this county are serving the pur-
pose of directing public attention to
the ease with which the prohibition
law may be invoked by unfair and ma
licious men who wish TO punish other
men whose political action they sought
to control and failed.S And, it any one
believes that. the people ef Enauens
Intend to allow thenselves,t to- beQer-
manently bufi -dozed by the few pliaat
tools Of slick and scheming politE:
clan who quit South Dakota county
because his peculiar methods were
played out there-if any one believes
that a quiet surrender will be made
let him dtsahuse his mind of the idea,
for the war has only just begun.
~
When the prohibition paragraph of
the constjtution-that villainous at
tack on the free agency of the indi-
vidual-was adopted, it received but a
minority Of all the votes cast, many
voters failing to cast their ballots
either way, as was invariably the case
when special measures and candidates
names were printed on the same tick
ct. Yet, in; spite Of the fact Of this
minority adoption, and after expert
mentation during period Of ten
years, the prohibition managers OF
this state persistently refuse to allow
the voters of North Dakota to again
approach the question at the polls.
Is it wonder that, throughout the
length and breadth Of the state, there
Is strong spirit Of antagonism to the
enforcement Of the prohibition Law?
-
In this county an organized effort
has been made to couple the subject
OF religion as we'll as Of politics with
this question. A man who is unani
mously admitted to possess no mental
or personal qualifications for the min
fstry came among US. He was kindly
received by people generally, and many
| a man who could i'll afford it gave
money for his support. Instead ol
gratitude for the kindness that wa!
shown him, with the spirit Of an In
crate he turned to rend the band.
that fed him. He neglected his legit
innate ministerial work and became :
prohibition Spotter, and has done more
to stir up strife and ill-feelinR ant
keep people from church membership
than any other untoward agency thai
has ever been introduced into thil
county. There is no section of tht
state where the people generally have
a greater respect than In Emmons fol
4 the true and faithful minister of the
gospel, and this applies to non-mem
hers as well as members Of church or
ganizations. There are many commu
nities within our borders wherein min
listers are residing year after year, re
spected and loved by every one, regard
less Of creed. But these men do no
annex religion to disputed politica
issue; nor do they seek to push re
forms BY the bulldozing policy Of tn,
slave-driver, but by the gentle, kindl,
methods Of the Nazarene. All hOnO
y and success to them In their efforts.
-
Thank heaven! freedom Of the pres
is yet privilege in this state. TIL,
days Of suppression are in the past
1 There has not yet been found an,
means but murder by which an edito
may Be prevented from expressing hi