The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-03-24
DEFENDS PROHIBITION
As THE PROPER THING
And Enters Plea In Behalf OF
Restraint OF Mans Evil
Passions.
Hartford, KY, r. 6, March II.

Hartford, KY, X. ., March II.
Editors Herald:-In a recent is
sue of The Herald is an article by
"A Democrat Teetotaler," which,
carried to its logical conclusion,
means that the individual, under the
personal liberty" of his ''individ-
ualism." has the right to do ANY
old thing" no matter how it affects
his neighbors or society. This kind
of democracy is license and liberty
of the individual to practice any
thing he wants to, subject to no
control but his own "self-rule," and
his own self-government. which,
like the beasts of the jungle, leaves
everyone at liberty CD to do as he
pleases regardless of consequences
to mankind.
Society. presumably, has for it's
highest mission, the protection of
the weak from the strong, the great
est good to the greatest number. the
conservation of social justice and
morality and the protection of it's
individual members from evil con-
ditions, economic and industrial,
and from the environments of the
slums. the liquor traffic, the white
slave traffic. and the degenerating
influences of poverty, ignorance and
social misery.
The stream cannot rise above its
source. If the fountain head is i'm
pure, the whole stream is defiled
Where individuals have a free
hand" to drink whiskey, 'cuss" and
fight, the moral stamina of the COM
munity is lowered, and children
growing up under bad example and
depraved and immoral environment,
become depraved and immoral.
Moreover, society can never rise
above its lowest substratum. And,
if society tolerates the saloon, the
red light district" the gambling
hell" and all the devices of individ- |
ualism and capitalism, and gives
rein to that individualistic democ-
racy, and that personal liberty"
which in the name of "self-govern-
ment' permits the proft-mongers
and parasites to prey upon society,
then indeed is society itself at low
ebb.
Whatever deteriorates and degen-
crates one, deteriorates and degen-
crates all. We are, each and all, the
products of Society. In order to
improve ourselves we must improve
society. We cannot improve society
by licensing the depraving liquor
traffic. We cannot make moral peo-
pie by countenancing an immoral
thing. We cannot be christian and
at the same time vote to contine the
manufacture and sale of the vile
stuff which destroys the souls, bod
les and minds of our fellow beings.
We cannot be democratic when we
vote for, and support and maintain
that kind of individualism, which,
under the guise of personal liber-
ty," impoverishes people, promotes
ignorance, breeds degraded and i'm
moral conditions and enriches a few
to the loss and detriment of thA
money.
Democracy embraces all humani-
ty, and wherever there is a bad en-
vironment, or low moral and eco
monte condition, rest assured there
is no democracy worth the name.
Democracy is nothing If not elevat-
ing to society as a whole.
Religion is pervasive. and univer-
sal in that human brotherhood
which proclaims the salvation of
man attained by love-love for both
God and man-love which cares
for every human being and which
desires economic freedom for all in
a grand Industrial Democracy.
which, by its justice. liberty. frater-
nifty and equality. will make possible
a divine civilization.
Yours for Prohibition and Social
Democracy.
WILLIAM II. CUNDIFF.