The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-28

them ever onward No matter how
nismanaged their infancy, their age
progression. II prohibition prohibited
there would be less difference on the
subject. Under the existing order or
imperfect humanity, evil will be with
US 20 greater or lesser extent.
Morally speaking, 1t is no more sin.
tui TO become drunk with liquor than
TO immediately indulge other appe-
tites which God and nature forbid. but
y Is more dangerous because liquor
produces temporary and sometimes per-
nanent Insanity. thus endangering tho
peace and lives OF many in short
space or time. Hence the war on this
particular evil.
The principle OF local option is worn
within Itself because ii does not pro-
htbit, and thus lifts dangerous poison
IRON, y on, under the wing OF the law which
and poisonous drugs (this latter Is
running the liquor evil close second
for supremacy, and allows condition
OF iawlessness to prevail.
The members OF the Anti-Sa1oon
League are spending an enormous
amour, of energy in their effort to an
initiate the saloon. It Is not well 10
destroy without first planning a some
tation. Like Carrie Nation. they de-
stroy the branches and leave the root.
AS long as there Is governmental
license. liquor will be. sold. II there
We're prohibition in all the States, IL
could be made and sold on government
ground as long as the government per-
mitted it's distribution III goods could
not be shipped into dry territory, II
would certainly make barrier which
would be worth while 1t stands TO
reason tina, II thing cannot be easily
secured It cannot be as readily con-
sumed. There are all sorts of elements
In the world by which man can destroy
his body and mind, but he must learn
TO his advantage. Man-made laws are
as imperfect as man himself. and local
option Is no exception to the rule. Sc
we're penalties for the breakage or laws
such as the immutable one OF murder,
restrain to a great degree, for mans
selfish fear of the penalty Is stronger
than his terrible passion. There Is no
doubt that good and wise legislation
rant masses and all who are not versed
in the art or seir-control must be edu-
Gated from the inside out before they
may obtain any permanent results,
troll. and when Christ Dade His disci-
pies not to resist evil. 1t has been in
terpreted that He meant them to carry
the practice of self-control to sucn
to resist. Christ was n master OF this
art. and have not a doubt but that
evolution will develop man into per-
feet being. Even now we may see
that each succeeding age Is more hui
name than the last one.
Every here and there there are men
who have learned 10 live naturally,
men who have seen fash OF their
divinity as 1t were. men who have de-
their brain. body and spirit
along the natural and proper lines.
The passions or hatred jealousy and
all narrowness nave no horrors to offer
such as these. Through contact with
them into the brains or others filters
little of their real Knowledge. and
surely the world is bettered by them
ostentat1ous. Quietly and nobly DO
they travel life's road sprinkling sun
shine wherever they go, and seldom
does the world realize when a master
passes by 1t. 1t has been said that the
government could not afford to lose
suit from non-license. Surely this is
a mercenary and small argument COM
pared with teaching the soul of man.
However, this would be offset entirely
by the falling off in the expenditures
for asylums. almshouses. and the Ike.
and the parents of healthier
II the anti-saloon people
could bring such pressure to bear upon
Congress that it would have to deny
license. then would 1t indeed have de-
stroyed the root.
AS long as the war is to be waged
with local option as the platform, there
Will be waves OF 1t like the incoming
tide, which must also flow back to the I
sea. The succeeding ages VIII prob
ably accomplish some enectiVe cure.
and man will finally Learnt to live as
he does to walk by hard falls.
z. VIRGINIA SMITH.
Winchester, Va.