p. 109 | Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 18, 1886

Health and Temperance.

Tyranny of the Liquor Traffic.

AT Reading, Penn., the Liquor League of Pennsylvania was recently organized, chiefly through the instrumentality of the Philadelphia Hotel and Saloon-Keepers’ Union. Of this organization, the Christian Statesman says:—

“At a recent meeting which was largely attended and was characterized by great determination and enthusiasm, it was resolved to ‘boycott’ remorselessly every member of a grand jury who dares to find a true bill against a liquor-dealer for violation of the laws. Since every indictment must be passed upon by the grand jury before it goes to court, it follows that if the grand jury ignores the bill, the action falls. The plan is this: A list of every grand jury will be secured by the Union, and if a true bill is found against a saloon-keeper, every member will be furnished with the name and address of each juror. Should a juror be a business man, no saloon-keeper will patronize him. Every other business man who buys goods of that juror will also be boycotted; and every relative and friend of the saloon-keeper will be coaxed or threatened to assist in the boycott. As there are over five thousand saloon-keepers in the city, they expect, with the aid of their friends and relatives, to crush any business man who, while on the grand jury, dares to oppose them. ‘If a juror is not in business, we can reach him in other ways,’ explained the speaker. ‘If he is only an employee, we must try by every means at our command to have him discharged from his position. Then prevent him from getting work elsewhere. Refuse to deal with any party that gives him employment, or with any party that patronizes his employer. Give him no rest, harass him, hound him, until he leaves the city.’ Annoy him at every opportunity. If a politician happens to be on the jury, you’ll know how to treat him. Block him in every way you can, break his political power, and give him all the trouble you can. If we stand by each other in this thing, it won’t be long before no grand jury will have the courage to indict a saloon-keeper.”

One hundred years ago, our forefathers fought to free themselves from a despotism which was not one-thousandth part as exacting and destructive as is this liquor tyranny. And while the descendants of those brave men have been employed in celebrating their noble deeds, they have forged for themselves these more abominable chains, and refuse to be freed. “Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen!”