New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1910-03-16
The Drink Question and Law.


The day OF utmost moment for
many people was Election day.
Upon that day was decided whether
intoxicating liquors may be sold for
the ensuing tWelve-month in many
small towns of Minnesota. Much
energy and many dollars were spent
in winning out for either side OF the
contest. Sincere, earnest and enthu-
siastic, were and always are the adj
vocates of both sides. Convinced,
beyond any doubt, are the good chaps
who believe that if we but have the
right claw, all will be we'll and the
misery and crime he sees springing
from the indulgence in spirituous
liquor will be no more. Satisfied he
| is, that prohibition" is effective.
For, he thinks it cause. Never
| stopping to think that possibly it may
be but an effect of some cause lying
beneath the surface. For, if he did so
see it, he would not be deluded in
thinking that the forcible stoppage of
a symptom would s'cure" the evil he
sees. Accustomed to treat any M lady
so specifically, it does not occur to
him, that may be there are better
modes of action to follow than to by
force trying to eliminate the terrible
ravages of the pernicious Demon
Alcohol.
4 The Bar-keep has a lucrative bust
ness, to do which he is forced to pay
the State and Town tribute for con-
Quoting. And being, as same is thus
made more difficult to be made a
profitable one, he is compelled to,
resort to many schemes, authorizations
and subterfuges to make it so. And
he sees no reason why he should be
prevented from continuing a business
in which he has invested some of his
earnings and by the denial OF privi-
lege he should be penalized thru the
confscation of his investment.
, So both contestants give way to
much feeling and resentment. Many
cases of hatred and animosity are
engendered by the process. Ostracism
and Boycott are a result. Under
handed and dishonest acts are in
dulged in by advocates of both sides
of the question. Each justifying his
action on the score that he is uphold
ing sacred principle. All are sure
they are doing what is right and best
: for himself and others.
Man is the only animal who Graves
artificial stimulants. And his desire
) for them has it's roots in abnormality !.
Swayed by artificial arrangements
and living life far from a natural
one, he has these cravings. And as
long as he has these derires for in
diligence in such stimulants, intoxi-
cants will be manufactured and con-
sumed. No compulsory method OF
trying to stop the use of liquor will or
can be effective. And attempts of so
Regulating" the appetite Of man are
abortive always. Results seen where
prohibitive laws are most rigid, prove
this. Always do we see that CO. ercive
modes are futile.
On the day that votes are cast, may
be seen men going to the polls to vote,
i carefully concealing their opinions
; and convictions, afraid that we're same
. to be known, it would injure their
: business. And SO it would, for SO
f intense is the feeling on either side Of
] the conflict, that many otherwise
brotherly chaps will not stop from
+ boycotting and prosecuting those who
y do not think as they do. Nor is any
9 one to be blamed for withholding in.
: formation from others as to the way
they vote, for he is forced to so pro.
: tect his success in business and good
standing in the community he lives in.
But it is not we'll that we should have
institutions which compel a man to
hide his opinions.
Where towns go dry, are always
seen attractions of the law. No law
ever did, or can, fulfill its purpose.
The very natural resentment against
being compelled to do this, or not to
do that, makes for resistance. It is in
the nature of man, as we'll as in any
) other animal to resist compulsion.
The Indulgence in stimulants is not
conducive to good for man. 1t is an
artifice. Not natural. But a resort
to offset what he feels is lacking to
f make him feel better. And the craving
for drink of stimulants being abnor-
! NAL, let's see what it is that makes it,
: OF what is that brings it about.
: Seems to me, that when man lives a
/ natural life he will be a being with
natural instincts and cravings. Few,
If anu of nc now do live a norm q