CHAPTER XXVI. THE OUTLOOK. The ultimate issue of the struggle is certain. If any one doubts the general preponderance of good over evil in human nature, he has only to study the history of moral crusades. The enthusiastic energy and self-devotion with which a great moral cause inspires its soldiers always have prevailed, and always will prevail, over any amount of self-interest or material power arrayed on the other side."-PROF. GOLDWIN SMITH. AND here our discussion of the problem is brought to its natural close. We have sought to show that the Liquor Traffic is the enemy of the State and a foe to all the objects for which the State exists; that it requires the intervention of law, and that moral suasion, educational and religious instrumentalities, are all inadequate without the aid of legislation; that it is within the legitimate province of law and the rightful sphere of government to interfere with it to whatever extent the public good demands; that attempts at its regulation have proved failures, and of necessity always will; that distinctions in the law as to different alcoholic beverages have proved impracticable, unwise, and unsafe; and that society can be adequately protected only by the suppression of all; that prohibition has proved a success in proportion to the thoroughness and persistency of its enforcement; and that the law itself has been a pervasive and persuasive moral teacher. It can not be denied that many, who will admit the force of the argument, are yet distrustful as to the practicability of securing such legislation. They are appalled at the power of the traffic. They see that it has uncounted wealth at its command; that it is organized and unscrupulous; that it has the support of a fierce appetite behind it and the alliance of every evil lust; that it is able to bribe or intimidate the great political parties. All this is true; but still it is not to be the final victor. It has all the elemental moral forces of the human race against it, and though their working be slow, and their rate of progress dependent on human energy and fidelity, the ultimate result is as certain as the action of the law of gravity in the material universe. Wealth may be against us; rank may affect to despise us; but the light whose dawn makes a new morning in the world rarely shines from palace or crown, but from the manger and the cross. Before the aroused conscience of the people, wielding the indomitable will of a State, the ministers to vice, the tempters of innocence, the destroyers of soul and body shall go down forever. I speak of the future day of triumph; I do not underrate the severity of the struggle. I would not ignore the years of hard toil and persevering effort that lie between us and it. Meantime, what better can be done than to fight the battle openly, courageously, persistently, and upon a basis of principle? Such a contest is the most effective mode of educating the people. Such a contest is a process of selfeducation in some of the noblest traits of manhood-trust in Divine Providence, faith in humanity, courage, fidelity, philanthropy. By one of those grand and beautiful laws of "the Spiritual Harvest" which God has established, he who works for others, works most truly for himself. We have sought to follow the discussion of our subject in these pages calmly and dispassionately, suppressing emotion, and appealing rather to logical conviction than to the moral sympathies; but if we are right in the conclusions to which we have arrived, the heart may well arise at the thought that in working for the suppression of the liquor traffic we are in that grand line of effort for the development of humanity which seeks to set forth the glory of God by the moral elevation of His children. Such a work is the noblest characteristic of our Christian civilization. INDEX. ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES, 399. Acton, Cardinal, 254. Adams, John, on Political Influence of ness, 130. Andrews, U. S. Minister at Stockholm, BACON, Dr. Leonard, Testimony of, 334. Beer Bill, English, 93, 270.. Beer-shop, Rum-shop in Disguise, 271-3; Betterment Law Universal, 113. Bishop on Constitutionality, 103; on Origin of Prohibitory Law, 288, note. Bonds never in Suit, 171. Bowditch, Dr. H. I., Table of Percent- Brewer and the Schoolmaster, 136-7. Brougham, Lord, 136, 387. Bullock, Alex. H., 168. CALIFORNIA, Wine in, 261-4. Catron, Justice, Opinion of, 104. Channing, William E., 5, 82. Dow, Neal, 290, 351. Charities, Mass. State Board of, 22, 30, Drifts, Opposite, as to Government, 128 Cities, Evart's Commission on Govern- Civil Damage Laws, Provisions of, 200; Dunn, Dr. James B., Testimony of, 339- Dutton, Gov., 333. Dyer, Oliver, on Lager, 275. EDINBURGH, Experience of, 146; Forbes Education-No Panacea for Intemper- 221. Educational Influence of Law, 191, 210. Emmons, Francis W., 288, note. Clergymen of Maine, Certificates of, Enactment, and not Enforcement, should Cochrane, Rev. I. S., 260. Coleridge, Aphorism of, 14. Congressmen of Maine, Certificates of, Connaught, Province of, Compared with Connor, Governor, Testimony of, 360. 130. Converse, Gov., Testimony of, 345. Convocation (see Canterbury and Yo rk) Crime, How produced by Liquor, 44. DALTON, Rev. A., Letter of, 374. Davis, Woodbury, Testimony of, 355, 393. Desjardines, M., 257. Dickens on Wine-shops, 255. District Attorneys of Mass. on Beer Law, 272-8. Dix, Gov., on the Traffic, 13. Dixon, Hepworth, 345. be the Contest, 397.. Enforcement Difficulties common to all England-Increase of Consumption of English Clergy, Memorial of, 145. FARRAGUT, Admiral, 395, GASTON, Gov., 13. Garbitt, Archdeacon, on Beer-shops, 145. Globe, The Boston, on Vice in Streets, Government-Objects of, 111; A Divine Grier, Justice, Opinion of, 105. |