The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-03-05
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
"Citizen" Suggests That The Tenn
perance Fight Has Only Just Be-
gun and Urges The People to Be
on Their Guard.

on Their Guard.
To the Editor of The Republican.
1t doubtless is or should be a matter
of congratulation to all citizens of our
county, that the Local Option Bill has
passed. But the fight is only begun.
Let US not boast, and under the pretense
that Local Option will carry in the
county, rest on our oars and take things
easy.
We may congratulate Senator
Speicher for his zeal and efficient work,
as well as the members who used their
influence and did what they could to
secure its passage. They have done
their duty: it is now up to the people
No doubt the representative of the
Anti-Saloon League will do all in his
power to secure the success of the
movement at the polls this fall, but he
cannot do all by any means. There
should be inaugurated at once a cam
paign of education which will reach
into every home Of the county.
competent speakers should be sent into
every hamlet and district, and every
church and school house and hall in the
county should ring with earnest appeals
to our voters to cast their votes for
sobrietY and good order, better
citizenship ard our homes. 1t is a
question, when reduced to its lowest
terms, of THE SALOON VS.. THE
HOME.
am not talking against the Saloon
Keeper, but am against his business,
for which not one thing can be said in
its favor. 1t appeals to every farmer,
to every business man, to every citizen
as nothing else can.
l recall seeing flock of sheep being
driven along road one day, some of
which were quite lame. They had the
foot rot. recall also the storm of pro-
test that was raised against the act, by
all the farmers who would thus en-
danger any flock that might be driven
over the same road. Hadn't the man
right to drive his foot rot sheep when
he pleased on the highway? Not when
it endangered his neighbours fiocks.
Didn't be pay his taxes? Certainly;
but ne didn't dare DEFY the protest of
his neighbors. However sheep seem to
be of more value than boys, and the
securing of the safety of the focks
more essential than the safety of our
boys and girls.
Is this too strong? Why then are
saloons, which by nature and practice,
mere outlaws, allowed to i1aunt their
their defiance in the face of the public
and ignore every demand CT law abid-
ing citizens.
They are pouring their soul destroy
ing beverages down the Threats Of their
customers and thus for the money
they get out of it are 1obbing men of
manhood and self respect, depriying
wives of the comforts of home and
children of their common privileges and
God-given rights. Now the county has
chance to show her strength. Shall
the rum demon rule the county, or
shall soberiety, good morals and right
prevail.
We may hide behind various pretexts
and excuse ourselves for advocating the
saloon, but we can't muster reason
that will satisfy God, or our own con-
science in the judgment day. We are
face to face with the question, THE
HOME or THE which? If
you vote for the bill, you vote for the
home. If you vote against the bill,
you cast your vote for the saloon.
Have you boys of your own? Then YOU
IRE against their best interests. Are
you willing to give one or more of
your boys to be the prey of the saloon:
to be sacrificed to its rapacity. Are
you willing that your daughter should
be the wife of a man who spends his
time.and squanders his and her money
in the saloon? Think! think! then vote
as you will wish you had, when you
come to give your final account: and
true, some of the boys may become
drunkards, and some of the girls may
marry topers, but you will have done
what you can to minimize their temp
,tations, and make it impossible for
them to sin. Some one may say it
will reduce the price of corn. if we cut
2ff the saloons. AS matter of fact it
will not-but suppose it does, are you
Wiling as man, are you willing to
convert your corn into whiskey that
DESTROYS soul and body, first because YOU
get few more cents per bushel for it.
Where is the manly man that would do
this. From abushel of corn, is said the
distiller gets four gallons of whiskey-
Which retails at ....... $3.50
The farmer gets. ....... .25
The U. S. government gets. 4.5O
The railway company gets. LOO
The manufacturer gets. 400
The drayman gets. ........ Is
The retailer gets. .. 700
The consumer gets. ..... Drunk
While the community gets the widow
and orphans to keep and the tax papers
e, Il. L