Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-13
Local Ontion.

me true meaning of local option seems
TO be this: A man WHO does not drink
who has perfect control of his appetite
and mind and actions, believing that
everyone else has the same strength of
VIII as himself, says goodnaturedly. Let
everyone do as he pleases in this mat
ter, give them local option" lie might
as wen say why. let everyone do az he
pieases in regard to murder, it isn't our
affair People the world over are more
afraid of meddling with other peoples
affairs and thereby mourning their fellow
associates displeasure and consequent
immediate annoyance or personal loss or
enmlty or vengeance, or all these, than
they are afraid of displeasing God and
meriting his wrath. our fellow creatures
are prompt paYmHsters in the way of re-
talatlon for any real or faneied slight
or snub, or injury. or financial interfer-
ence, or plan obstruction; and God is pa
llent ana Withholds punishment so long
as thefe is the slightest chance of the
Offenders repcnttug and doing right
Men have gained the idea that punish
nent comes only after DEATH and being
deferred until then. they make light of il
ana even try to make themselves believe
they VIII escape it then. Punishment
comes mere, although they often fail to
recognize 1t, and they call II fate, and
say 1T had to be so" when had they
been able 10 perceive what would have
been their happiness had they not sinned
no thought of earthly enjoyment or profit
would have tempted them TO swerve
hairs breadth from the God-marked-o ut
course of right and duty into worldly
course labelled Just as good or Bet
ter"
Men say, as an excuse for non-interfer-
enee, or. more correctly termed non
interest in their neighbours affairs Am
my brothers Keeper What right have
to interest myself in what other people
do The question Am | my lrothcr' q
keeper" originated with CAIN. who used
II Immediately after he had murdered
Abel and it was the only speech he
could think of for reply when trying To
avert God from discovering his guilt and
10 avoid punishment for his crime not
being aware that God already knew his
guilt. The words and the sentiment
then, are those of murderer, and Chris
have better sentiments and do better
deeds than those of Cain. The words
hat Christ gave, Love thy neghbor as
myself should be applied 20 the liquor
question to solve 1t right
man who would not for a moment
nave liquor saloon located next door to
ms magnificent residence and have his
little boys and girls wander into 1t to
make friends with the saloon keeper and
every customer that patronizes it and
gain there their education. thinks the sa
itoI It ptlittilA proper business feature
for the poorer sections of a city. where
the residents cannot comprehend the re-
hnements and pleasures and responsible
ties that accompany great wealth and
where these poorer people and children
are accustomed. from association. to gain
enjoyment and recreation from their inn
mediate surroundings, and their ideas of
right and prosperity and happiness. from
the expressions af the people by whom
they are surrounded and whose manners
and morals and actions they naturally
learn and fall into. To spread them abroad
as they change their environment.
pest house would be placed as far
away from human dwellings as il was
possible to remove it. and would be
avoided with fear and horror by rich
and poor, educated and ignorant. alike.
Yet small poX and eprosy and cancer are
now esteemed durable, and very few.
comparatively speaking. lose their lives
from these and other dread diseases.
And this most terrible disease of intern
perance land 1t is a disease just as truly
as the others, and acquired Just as NOR
phine craving is planted by the introduce
ton of morphine into the body, infdc
tious. contagious yet preventabie, is wei
coined with open arms. with its retinue
of slaves, murder, suicide. divorce, and
many other evils. because-We must not
interfere with the liquor dealers business
and opportunity to acquire wealth.
While Andrew Carnegie and others
strive to oblterate the killing of human
beings in war, in order that the world
we legalize liquor murder,-a murder
which if we believe Ihe Bible is able to
destroy the soul in addition 10 the killing
of the body? Shall we legalize all the
other crimes caused by liquor, in order
that liquor may be sotd? Shall we grant
TO any living being a license to destroy
or aid in destroying the priceless gift of
God to man,-the permission TO live in
His kingdom, under His protection,
where there shall be no more death
neither sorrow, nor crying. neither shall
there be any more pain for those who
repenting of their sins, strive here on
earth to do His will and endeavor to live
pure lives until God summons them by
death to the place which the Saviour went
to prepare for those who try to do right
There are plenty of occupa uOns which
liquor sellers could pursue with profit to
themselves and vastly increased happi-
ness to their customers and to those who
are not their customers, and the same APP
plies to all who aid in the manufacture
of liquor or in any way find employment
from its use.
A. l.. j.