La Junta tribune., 1912-03-23
DRY As HAoes.
BY N. Fipity.

In my article in the Tribune OF
two weeks ago | made the statement
that La Junta is today almost as
dry as the prov, rblai Hades. To
make sure that was not in error
have beer all over town, through
the streets and alleys and ! could
not see the leas, sign OF booze.
hence believe there is truth In that
statement. II | am right II shows
what the officers of the Law can do.
when backed up BY the people and
are determined TO do their sworn
duty Now | Wish TO ask the imid
people IN La Junia who year ago
declared. You canno, make La Jun'a
dry. tell you. you canno, do 1t; II
is impossible. wish to ask them
what they have to say now. Do they
give II up II the mayor and his
mar shals have done 1t then these
doubters must admit tha, they are
miracle workers. for they have done
the impossible
Now II miracle is merely some
thing out Of the ordinary course OF
events as claimed by some. then IN
admit that miracle has been
wrought here In La junta But
am little skeptioal on other kinds
Of miracles
These doubters. OF course are
right looking at the matter from
their view point It's impossible
when nobody tries. and nobody cares
whether la Junta Is act or dry But
Why don't people care7 There Is.
there can be but one answer sell
nshne "a disregard for the welfare
Of Others
II was asked three thousand and
four years ago aud is frequently
asked today. Am my brothers
keeper" The answer then was
The voice Of thy brother's blood
erirth to me from the ground" 4
more direct answer would be. Yes.
YOU are. In q certain sense. your
brothers keeper" How many Off.
Gers OF the Law spend their time
and thought trying to keep their
brothers lyou and u within the
bounds q Law and ORDER And how
many Of them. brave and noble fel-
lows. lose their lives In the discharge
Of that duty II Is the duty of every
good citizen TO use his influence In
the same direction Yes We are our
brothers keeper. TO a certain ex-
ten, But to return to the subject
The officers OF the is~ everywhere
as rule make a commendable effort
10 enforce the Law
Only last week the public press In
formed Us tina, at Hillysle. Va. while
a la~breaker Was undergoing trial =
band Of outlaw moun,aincers from
the Blue Ridge Mountains, entered
the court room. killed the judge. the
sheriff. the prosecuting attorney and
A st.lographer and then retired with
ou, having rescued the prisoner. one
OF their band. as they had intend
ed
Now IL is hardly necessary 10 In.
!1rm any ore ttat these mountain.
rers were all under the Influence Of
liquor. for all mountaineers are hard
thinkers Usually u Is only when
crazcd with liquor that men viii at
tempt 50 dlabolical a crime
The reason. and the only reason.
why La Junta has never been dry
before IL because th.re has never
been a united effort on the par, OF
the majority of hCr citizens TO en-.
force the laws That Ia why th.
talk Sc med impossible to some.
Those who think {, impossible are
mistaken The Bible calls them
falls. prophets. and In another place
IL calls them dumb dogs who will
not bark" The very least anyone
ought TO DO is TO bark when wrong.
doing is attempted. I pity the man
Who has not the courage Of his
convictions and who Is afraid 10
bark II YOU cannot do anything els.
TO aid the officers. why bark. Tha,
often does coed. Tho barking OF a
dog has saved many home from
burglary and crime. and remember
too. tina, tie caekiinv OF geese saved
Rome.
In tn. present age barkers are en-
pi,ycd In AL classes OF business. You
road d.pa,s. theaiers. street cor
ncrs everywhere There Is this grca'
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