The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-28

The money price paid for the insertion OF these
few lines. of trifing amountbut what II entaiied
initiation 1t required know save
those whose parenthearts were forced to discharge
its privacy; reach within the inner recesses OF
ones distress and there seize the crowning anguish
seeto print it in cold type and let thousands read
thousands pityths thing in currency that's
dear indeed-and tbs very dread exacton for any
human being to have to render.
or there's sermon to be deduced from this
advertisement. and that's all too plain to need
the expounding. Every one can see its meaning
hayward life of youth-the suffering it brings to
those all innocent of ofending-the ruin and death
that stalks in the pathway of weak and ntolerable
folly-the wreck of fond hopes-the cruciixion per-
haps Of proud yearnings-the tears and heart burn
ings-the crushing force Of unspeakabe despair All
drunkard"-all this and more.
But perhaps the warning which the notice"
gives lies the saddes feature of the whole sad story
the warning that barkeepers refrain from further
pandering to a mans diseased cravings for thing
that is DESTROYING him-.mnd, body and soul It's
although saloon1keepers hearken to tho mandate
anu hy Which he oI law sv he vsasa
low companion. some hanger-on upon dens Of vice
some barroom loafer. will doubtless gladly prove in
termediary for the purpose.
Why is 1t So however. that the parents in this
have had to threaten-why have they been forced to
assume public role? The criminal law IL not less
the law nor mere the law because private parties
promise to invoke it. 1t stands upon the statute
books of the States a guarantee of the peace and
good order Of society and is the duty OF the police
power to see to its enforcement The saloon may
earnestly deprecate the presence of the habltua
drunkard. and claim It is be blamed therefor
but the law steps in and after this end is
complished. you shall longer sell to the stricken
wretch. And It's because this and other like
in places not rigidy enforcedits because civil
authorities disposed to be careless in such mat
ters and cease holding everwatchfu alert, lynx
eyed supervision the liquor business that the
of prohibition in the United States is steadily
gaining In sweep and supremacy ~ opposed to
prohibition. but believe in the strict regulation
the liquor trafic'-this the manner in which thou
sands Of law-abding useful Christian citizens
their views In this relation That's all very WELL
when regulation weakens. when 1t becomes necessary
for others than police officers to strive keep the
business within the law-what then? Face that ques-
ton squarely--what then? 1t won't do to say that
the instance which has been referred to Is
one. 1t isn't and the fact would be shown II
parents willing to undergo the tense scorching
humiliation to which the parents In the here
noted have deemed 1t necessary to resort 1t would
be well for those who oppose prohibition to unite
In insisting that the laws designed hold the
OF intoxtcants within certain limitations shall
universally respected by the liquor trade, early
disaster to their contentious IL not to be inevitably
invited.