Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-08-14
The Theme of the Hour.

I
space in the columns of your paper for
an urgent appeal TO the voters OF this
section and also TO those who may
influence votes in the right direction.
1t seems highly important that the
matter be positively settled at an early
date, and il is eminently more impor-
tant that it be settled right; not in
economy, policy or convenience, but
right-socially, morally, yea, eter-
nally, right.
The importance OF the subject is
| fully proved by the fact that a large
majority OF arrests and prosecutions
throughout the country are directly or
indirectly traceable 10 the influence OF
intoxicating liquor, to say nothing OF
the great amount OF domestic sorrow,
anguish and want which is too well
known to need description.
do not know that | can advance
any new ideas upon the subject, but
there are many that will bear repeti-
ton and emphasis. ! suppose there
are nearly as many different ideas OF
the proper solution of the matter as
minds engaged There is proper
standard upon which settlement should
be based If sufficient moral influence
can be brought to bear 10 prevail.
Without doubt, either our present
prohibitory law or its execution Is
sadly at fault. Some place all the
emphasis upon the former; some the
latter. ! have seen IL stated in these
columns that IL was unjust for
statute 10 constitute as crime what
xraull ~ h arysfla Ia a laoft3tpafa 4rav
sactiOn. Now ! maintain that one
who engages in the general and in
discriminate sale OF intoxicating
liquors is indirectly guilty OF all the
crimes In the category and directly
hardly needs the prefix. IL is very
difficult 10 frame a statute 10 iully
comprehend the possible bent of 50
willy an adversary without containing
some Objectionable features. am very
decided that the greater fault lies in
the lack OF proper execution Il may
be exaggerated, ! hope il is, but il is
often remarked that a large majority 4
OF the executive officers OF the state /
are heartily in sympathy with all pos
siole eyasiOns OF the law and not above
bribery. This is a sad picture and (
certainly not wholly without ground.
OF course the remedy is more .
healthy moral standard among voters.
and the awakening Of those who are /
right at heart, but have not been I
aroused to the tull extent OF their re- 4
sponsibility in the selection OF such T
officers.
A strong plea is made for a law with
public sentiment back OF Il. Public I
sentiment Is hardly to be trusted. It's
In this state at the present f
time, If reports Of increase In license
adherents be true. might well be CON-
pared to a parcel OF unruly school boys /
who ehafe under restraint and have no
regard TO future conditions vet no
one would say, Make rules Of which
the boys heartily approve and il will
be all right by and by
The license advocates argue that
under their administration OF affairs
there would be less liquor sold and
and less arrests from such
They also cite statistical in
70 prove those statements.
There may BE instances where such
have appeared but there
are certainly very emphatic and con-
elusive examples Of contrary condi-
tons. Merely few instances in the
extreme upon either side are insig-
niticant parts OF the whole situation
the country
Let me emphatically repeat this
question which IS still unanswered
II license conditions will surpass
prohibition in suppressing liquor
traffic and drunkenness, why are all
liquor manufacturers sellers and habit
ual and excessive drinkers strongly In
favor OF license As a matter OF fact
and a business proposition, man
who has invested money IN a liquor
license is bound to secure all possible
returns for IT, BY making numerous
sales, il is his business 10 make drunk
ards; somebody's husband, brother
son, will be the victim Suppose Il
were your son And think YOU not
other peoples friends are as dear 20
them as yours are 10 You Il i the
greatest surprise TO me that so many
otherwise upright and intelligent cit
liens are found in such company. upon
the same side OF the question. Many
Of these contend that prohibition I'M
Justly restraints personal liberty; that
moral persuasion rather than legal re-
straint, should be applied. Moral
persuasion is certainly very good when
but ten-dollar fine or
thirty days sentence is a more positive
and direct aid TO moral persuasion.
Now there are many conceptions OF
liberty. A person who has become adj
dicted to the use OF intoxicants has
very little liberty of choice This is
fact and might cite nu-
merous actual examples. Such per-
sons are not considered by the general
public 10 be fully responsible in the or
binary transactions oflife and certainly
not in relation 10 a decision upon the
question under consideration. I am
glad to note that some. in their better
moments, realize their own danger
from possible temptation; others.
their duty to their fellowmen. aud
vote better than they drink Neither