Health and Temperance by Christian Worker

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 1, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 25.

Health and Temperance.

By Christian Worker

HE HAD GOOD GROUNDS.

THAT was a neat reply the State secretary of Ohio made to the Saloon Keepers' Association, of Hamilton, Ohio, some days ago. This organization had applied for articles of incorporation, and in making the application it stated its object to be "to afford all who may become members proper and legal protection against unjust and oppressive laws, and to aid its members in the defense of their lawful business, and against the unwarranted encroachment of Government, State, or municipal authorities." The secretary refused to issue the articles of incorporation, giving his reasons as follows: "Resistance to law is not a lawful purpose, and it is contrary to public policy to sanction such organizations. You will see in a moment that the State cannot clothe with corporate power an organization having for its avowed object opposition to the execution of the laws of the State." The secretary certainly has good grounds for his refusal. It would be manifestly ridiculous for the State to set its seal upon an association whose avowed purpose is to defy the laws of the State.

But there is another ridiculous phase about it which does not belong to the saloon keeper. The State, in consideration of a certain sum of money, pronounces the business of whisky selling lawful, and then proceeds to enact laws which the seller regards as "unjust" and "oppressive." If the business is recognized as lawful, it ought to have all its rights under the law, no more, no less. The wrong consists in recognizing it as lawful. It is the general sentiment of mankind that the liquor traffic is a great evil. The State is in poor business when it legalizes evil. Yet that is exactly what most of the States do.—Christian Worker.