Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1908-02-19

Up at De Soto they are getting
all torn up over the question of
submitting local option to tho peo-
pie for vote, and the proceedings
have reached stage where the
preachers, who are for prohibition,
and the Republican, a local paper,
which is against it, are applying
epithets to season the discussion.
While this is none of our fight,
and while giving the Republican
credit for the honesty of its pur-
pose, we notice it presents the same
old hacknied reasons that are al
ways presented by the liquor ele-
ment in support of its traffic, i. e.
that prohibition will not stop
the sale of liquor if there is u de-
mand for it; and that the abolition
of the saloons curtails local reve-
nue. to the disadvantage of the
community. The Republican for
ther contends that law cannot pre-
vent the use of alcoholic beverages,
that the solution of the problem is
matter Of education and evolu-
ton. 1t is the latter proposition
that the friends of liquor fail to
comprehend in its true aspect, that
the present campaign against the
evil has resulted from public en-
lightenment upon its effects, which
is now crystalizing in a concrete
sentiment TINT takes the form of
prohibitory laws. Competent
medical authority has declared that
alcohol is poison and that its ef-
fects upon mankind, both physical
ly and morally, is detrimental.
These effects grow with use, and
as the consumption of alcohol
grows to the satie extent, are its
evil tendencies felt by the whole
community! We recognize the
fact that morphine, opium, CO.
caine AMI similar drugs are pois-
ons, and also that many people are
addicted TO the use Of these to their
physical and moral undoing and to
the distress of society. For this
reason society has issued its inter
dict against the indiscriminate sale
of these drugs through prohibitory
laws, and noae of the supporters
of the liquoc traffic are willing to
admit that such legal checks upon
the drug habit are not good and
for the welfare Of society in gener.
al. Probibitionists take the same
fview of alcohol. That prohibitory
laws do not ut once and completely
check the sale Of liquor in the ter
ritory affected by such laws is nj
argument against the soundness OF
the policy. We have always t.
contend with the commercial sid,
: of the evil, which is, in fact, tn.
J strongest element of its component
I parts, and which is more RESPONSE
BILE for its growth and abuse thai
l any other. The commercial sue
: cess of the liquor traffic, wher'
: competition is so keen within it
self, hangs upon the growth of tn
volume Of liquor consumed, an
the debasement Eof futurej gener
4 ations of people. Here is wher
t the check must begin, and societ
Q for the protection of future gener
9 ations sees that prohibitory law
z are the best and necessary process
It That under such laws there mus
r be some eon6scation of privut
property is unavoidable, but fo
this society could easily take som
J. remediabIe action. That the los
o of the saloos OCCASIONS a decline i
J. public revenues is not an unmit
It gated loss, for what benefits "
is derive from the use of such rev
e nues are indeed dearly bought. ]
# oar own commnnity we have bee
% saloonless for several years, al
10 while we have not nearly checke
b the consumption of liquor, we hav
q a marked Improvement in the g.
ls briefly of the community. and
,e, minority Of our.nsople will .hsrdI