The Whisky Question

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 8, 1883

The Whisky Question

The whisky question is simply a question of fact. If the saloons of a State or city do more good than they do injury; if they build up more houses than they curse; if they make more honest voters than corrupt ones; if they make more honest men than criminals; more wealthy men than paupers, then the man is not honest, nor fair, nor manly, nor worthy to be a voter, if he refuses to continue the saloons. If a saloon is a blessing, a man is an enemy to the commonwealth and civilization if he opposes it or votes to destroy it. But if the reverse is true—if the saloon is an enemy to society; if it corrupts voters; if it fills prisons; if it crowds poor-houses; if it breaks warm hearts; if it beggars children, how can we vote for such a curse. A vote to place men in an office, or keep those in office who wink at the existence of saloons is simply a vote against law, against good order, and against morals. The whole question is—only this and nothing more.