IN FAVOR OF IGNORANCE

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 20, 1887

IN FAVOR OF IGNORANCE.

THE Brewers' Association, which met at Niagara Falls last September, declared itself opposed to all laws requiring children to be instructed in the toxicology of alcohol. They expressed themselves greatly pleased that in States where such laws exist they had not been enforced, and in some places utterly ignored. Think of this, you who vote to perpetuate this wicked traffic. Think of a great national association which claims to represent an important industry, opposing the spread of light and knowledge, and especially a knowledge of their own products. They are well aware that to enlighten the rising generation in regard to the nature and effects of their products, means the final overthrow of their business. They would keep the children ignorant of the poisonous effects of alcoholic drinks, that they may the more easily ensnare them in the terrible meshes of this villainous trade, when they go out in the world for themselves.

A business that dreads the light and that thrives best in darkness, cannot long sustain itself in this age of intellectual advancement. Give the children the light; if it hurts the business of the rumites, so much the worse for them, they have no business to be in such a business. Those who love the darkness better than the light prove by that very fact that their deeds are evil. Educate the children, throw about them the safeguards of enlightenment, unmask the traffic, make bare its villainy.—Lever.