Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-05-31

]
not be found drinking in public places
whatever the law. That such would
drink more, If liquor drinking could be
made respectable by law, doubt not.
That they would even then drink less at
home may with reason be disputed.
We are next told that the 'prohibitory
law provokes resistance and as stolen
drinks to the young possesses moie
sweetness, therefore the law against
| liquor selling should be repealed" Well,
well, have we returned to the days of
the early Christian church? The apostle
Paul met some people who objected to
law because it 'provoked resistance
but be did not encourage or advocate its
repeal.
But again, we are told, "that the law
as it exists is connected with a vast
amount of hypocrisy on the part of
buyers, and sellers, and officials" We
classifying in portion, at least, of those
that demand a change in the law.
wonder if they would be any the less
hypocritical under license law?
The sixth complaint refers to the old
demand for personal rights and the
fear that young people now compelled to
abstain, will, when they get older, under
the destruction and counsel of Others, be
led to see the unrighteousness of the law,
and look lightly upon drunkenness.
This is as strong an argument for the
withdrawal of all parental restraint as
for the repeal of the prohibitory law.
The next gives US what he considers
tone of the most serious objections to
I the law" [ will state it in his words.
at tends to break down the sense of
obligation in all law, human 0r divine.
Here some Que says, 'is a law which
is not enforced, to which no moral obli'
law which is commonly disregarded
iikewise?"
The trouble with this serious objection
rs that neither premise is true, and there
fore the conclusion has nothing to rest
upon. The law is enforced as well as
any other law in the state in fodr-tifths
of the state, and where it Is not so well
enforced it is not the fault of the law.
but of the hyprocrites" to which the
/
Then the law has a moral obligation
belonging to 1t. Has not the law that
tends to promote good order and
sobriety, that stands in defence OF
womanhood and childhood, that would
protect man from physical, intellectual
and moral self-ruin-does not such a law
carry with it a moral obligation which it
imposes upon every citizen: II not, then
what law does have moral obligation
belonging to 1t?
Once more he says, ''Our existing pro
hibitory law | consider foolish and mis-
chiveous. because it is largely an atte mp
on the part of one set CT people (oul
country folk to legislate for another sci
of people (in our larger villages anC
cities)." But the same complaint can be
made OF all legislation in Vermont
Perhaps the advocates of repeal would
change the state constitution so that the
country folk" may prohibit themselve'
from stealing, and the city folk be
licensed to steal all they wish. But i:
the Golden Rule" only binding upor
the country folk in their own more
intimate relation? "Whc is my neigh
bor:" Surprising the cities should wan
to license houses of prostitution, woulC
the bishop draw the line between
country folk" and city people?
The bishop closes by saying But
cannot think that the practical exper
fence of Vermont, New Hampshire OF
Maine is in favor of state prohibtory
law" That may depend upon what ore
considers practical experience. But sure
ly, if "driving an evil underground" anC
thereby making it more difficult FOR it tC
pursue its ruinOus work is not in favor OF
a state prohbitory law. l know moi
what is.
If law that is terror to evil doors
and thereby 'provokes resistance" IS mo-
a blessing, what law is: II law that
through the balance of power lodged il
the industrious, order loving country
folk will save our cities in which gather
so much of evil and in which, as a rule
center the law-breakers, is no1 a gooC
law, what law is:
But finally, in closing, believe will
the convocation of Canterbury, which il
expressing the views of the English
}
evil more nearly affects our national lif<
and character, none more iniuriously
counteracts the spiritual work of the
church." And believing this we see the
folly and mischief" of trying TO regulate
the evil of licensing it, and also see the
sin of consenting to the right of any
man, anywhere, in city or country, tC
put the bottle to his neighbours lips"
This Infamous business has been vel
dozeri5ed as "the son of vllainIes, the
father o& crimes, the mother of abomina
lions, the DEVILS best friend, and Gods
worst enemy" and how dare we advo
cate giving il the sanction and pro-
lection of the state George ".
Hunt, in st. JohnsLury Republican.
IT SAVED his LEG.
p. A. DSnforth, of LAGRANGE, Ca.
sH.iered for six months with frightfu
running sore on his leg; but writes that
| Rupklqn's Arnipa SalVa wholly aurad II