as it was spoken by an English Judge, and given as the result of long
observation, and of hearing evidence given upon oath. What is more
likely to be true than a declaration from the Bench? and as such it
deserves the attention of every one of us. Let us then consider
(I.)--IF THIS STATEMENT BE TRUE, THE PUBLIC-HOUSE SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
We are quite willing to allow that a certain amount of enjoyment can be
obtained in these places. Once acquire the taste, and drink gives
pleasure to the palate, and produces, in a very short time, a kind of
joy. Men who are in business difficulties can forget their creditors.
Those who have lost friends by death can forget the ties of affection.
Scolding wives are left at home, and a smiling face receives the money
spent, for the landlady is real good to those who have the coin. But on
the other hand, are not these drinkers paying too dear for their
gladness? Is it not a kind of delirium that shuts out the facts of the
case? Will not the creditor call for his money? Will you not wake up to
greater loneliness than ever? Will you have taken the edge off the
woman's tongue by spending the money she needs for the family? Are you
not buying temporary insanity at so much a glass?
Are you not running a fearful risk of becoming a criminal? I know of a
little beershop where murders have been hatched, and that in a quiet
rural village! Do not men go primed with drink to rob and slay? Do not
wife-beaters get their inspiration at the public-house? Is not gambling
fostered in the bar parlour? Do you tell me that you are not likely to
become a thief, or a murderer? So others have said whom we have known,
once as decent and quiet as you. Besides, if you keep out of the hands
of the police, you will have to take your trial some day for robbing God,
and for soul murder! In the public-house you learn to do all this.
(II.)--IF THIS STATEMENT BE TRUE, ALL PATRIOTS SHOULD OPPOSE THE PUBLIC-
HOUSE.
How can a man love his country, who supports that which is increasing
taxation and demoralising his countrymen? Should we allow any nation
under the sun to do us the harm one public-house will do? Is it not true
that nearly all the police are needed by those who frequent the Public-
house? Is it not this devil's academy that costs the nation so much more
than we spend in education? Would not many of the prisons have to be
pulled down if we could stop the drinking habits of our people? Answer
me these questions, and tell me how you can call yourself a patriot, and
yet help to keep these places going?
(III.)--IF THIS STATEMENT BE TRUE, WE MUST CLOSE THE PUBLIC-HOUSES.
Can it be tolerated that such places should remain open? Are felons to
be manufactured, and men get rich by the process? We must shut the
places up, even though we ruin places like Burton-on-Trent, and compel
rich brewers to sell their carriages. Nothing is so likely to pay off
the National Debt as to cause publicans and brewers to enlarge the list
of bankrupts. They cannot live but by the nation's loss, and sorrow. A
brewer's dray, as it leaves the yard, carries with it increase to the
taxation, and hunger and nakedness for little children!
While we do not lose sight of the importance of legislation, and while we
push the questions of Sunday Closing, Local Option, &c., to the utmost
extent, it will pay us still better to close the public-house through
making the frequenter of such places see the sin of it. If there are no
customers, there will be soon a closing of their doors. We call upon all
Grocers, Butchers, Tailors, Cabinet Makers, and all decent tradespeople,
to see, that would they have a return of prosperity, they must have the
stream of cash which goes into the publican's till turned towards their
doors. Money spent in manufacturing felons would look well spent on
Clothes, Provisions, and Furniture. Besides churches and chapels would
be crowded as the jails were emptied, and heaven would gain what hell
would lose by the closing of Breweries, Distilleries, and Public-houses.