Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-11-02

handling the liquor of this county. We
are voting to close the saloon in Freder-
lex county and to say our county is inca
pable of enforcing its laws is to confess
to a weakness in our officeholders and
system of regulation that should brand US
with shame. If our officers assert that
we are not able to dominate our affairs,
regulate our business, and stop the illegit-
innate sale of liquor where it becomes by
the vote of the people unlawful, let them
be courageous enough to get down and
out for they are not representing the peo-
pie who claim that they can regulate their
own affairs: if not they will resort back
to the uncivilized state which is more
honorable and excusable.
= The most astonishing statement accred-
tied to our commissioner is that this ques-
ton has Commercial side" and ''can-
not be considered from a moral view
point. Really it is ridiculous even to
think of such thing, not to hint at the
absolute absurdity of uttering such words.
My, my, is it possible that we, who love
our country as we do, must be woefully
afflicted with men who hold such crooked
and perverted views as this one! In this
statement there is the confession that be-
hind these words there is no spiritual dis
cernment, no mental acuteness, dis
torted disposition that opposed the best
welfare of mankind, or high treason to
the claims of humanity.
Moral motive should actuate us in all
our affairs. The State means its people
and their interests; politics is the people
getting together to regulate and care for
their affairs. The moral motive should
be the governing spirit of all our attempts
at promoting the welfare of the State,
and if the liquor traffic does not bear a
moral aspect Tor immoral aspect) no
other question ever did have.
The State is expected to do three
things:
First, register the wish of the people,
whether for or against liquor as is this
case. The people test their wish by the
will of God and the welfare of the people.
American lottery and slavery were abol-
ished because of its evil on society, that
is moral principle was fundamental to
these reforms.
Second, the State must restrict GRIN e
and thus safeguard its interests.
Third, the state must protect the inno-
cent and helpless. These things must be
done regardless of the money that might
be involved for the moral effect it has
upon the community. Because liquor re-
suits in crime, insanity, ard immortality
the state must protect its citizens and
restrit crime purely according to moral
principles. No man or men who express
the peoples wish, protect the helpless,
and restrict crime on account of its COM
mercial value alone disregarding its
moral import is recreant to the higher
trusts.
Let US not express our ignorance of
moral values and never perform our duty
for commercial purposes when moral
question is at stake. If we feel deeply
that liquor with all its evil rebounds to
Gods glory and advances human we'll
fare, then vote for it, for its commercial
side-if evil be involved then use moral
consciousness in striking the liquor traffic
a deadly blow with your vote.
Don't be recreant to your highest
trust but feel your moral obligation to
put down the evil and vote for prohibi
ton.
A CITIZEN.