hands of tyrants they did not estimate the cost.
The thought of liberty was not connected with
the thought of money. The price of liberty was
not too high to be purchased, even by blood.
A few cents on the pound of tea did not di
rectly cause so much bloodshed. It was a princi
ple they were fighting for.
The argument that a system of license places
the business in the hands of respectable men is
absurd. There can be no such thing as “respect
able’ ’ rum sellers. It is true that in many of our
cities the proprietors of large hotels are whisky
sellers because they keep a bar in their place, and
it is true that the place is kept quiet and that only
a certain grade of men are admitted ; but they do
more damage to humankind than the smaller
groggeries of the city. In these respectable
places prize-fights and other so called sports
and bets are arranged. The wealthy debaucher
goes to the higher houses, the ruffian and the
poor man goes to the dens on the alleys. The
drinker starts at the “respectable” bar but ends in
the den.
Third. Sumptuary laws. This being inter
preted, means that the Government has no right
to say what we shall eat or what we shall drink.
Why does the Government compel the drug
gist to label every drachm of opium he sells,
“poison ?” The Government has a right to say
what we shall not eat or drink, when what we eat
or drink interferes with the happiness and pros
perity of the people. Has the Government no
right to protect the people from the misery which
intemperance inflicts ? If we admit that it has
no right to interfere with what we eat or drink,
when what we eat or drink deprives us. of enjoy
ing the right which the “Constitution” gives, we
admit that the Constitution is not adhered to.
Because a few persons do not drink to excess is
no reason why, in order to save millions of peo
ple from misery, whisky should not be removed
from our midst.
There is no doubt but that the Prohibition
question is the leading question in society to day*
THE FREE LAtfCE.
and there is no excuse for any one, who loves his
country as he should, to not take an active part
in it. The workers for Prohibition at the outset
were considered a set of fanatics, so were the
Abolitionists, but it was and is a noble cause to
defend and for that reason it has made such rapid
strides, and has such ardent defenders. Prohibi
tion needs energetic workers in this state. The
legislature is doing its part. Are the people ready
to do their part ? It rests with the people entire
ly whether the blood and misery of the innocent
shall pay the price of intemperance. Now is the
time for every humanitarian to place himself
on record. How many are willing to go into
the darkened homes of our commonwealth and
rescue the wives and babes from the injuries of
intemperance. Young men, young women, have
you ever thought what a great instrument you can
be in the cause ? Many of you have homes of
happiness. Are you not too selfish to do an act
of kindness for your fellow beings? You need
not connect youself with the Prohibition, Repub
lican, Democratic or any other party to do a
good work in this direction. Forget party ties
as did our forefathers forget the separate religious
denominations to join in the religion of humani
ty. Surely it is an honorable work, because it is
in harmony with the teaching of the Bible.
J. S. W.
—Welcome, ’9l !
—H2O in abundance
LOCALS.
—Electric Light ! !
—Tennis is all the racquet.
—“Berdie” rides the “bi.”
—A Tan gent—“Hank” Miles,
—Brew is putting on (h)airs this term,
—Grapes are often followed by Gripes
—The apples are becoming a minus quantity.
—"Mike” Porter is assistant military instructor.