Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-01-03

tii5 SVuIt anu "lCH tHuS UIUuSnL
before the Court, the prosecution of
the offenders has been conducted with
equal zeal, and the most satisfactory
ability OH the part of the Attorney of
the United States. But, gentlemen,
what has been the result? No dina
milton OF crimes our criminal docket
k""ping pace with the progress of tie
population, demonstrating that the
laws Of the district are not calculated
to produce either reformation Of man
ners or fear of punishment. Good
laws ought to do both. but what can
laws do, however wholesome they
may be. in effect against the influence
of that bane ofpri,at and social hap
piness. ardent Spirits. tho cause of
more evil in society, | firmly believe,
than all Others put together. 1t seems
a hopeless undertaking TO attempt to
search the root of this evil the priyi-
lege of getting drunk appears to be so
precious that TO impair il is like i'm
pairing constitutional right, and all
that is left for us to do, arc impOteTt
attempts to circumscribe the diffusion
of this poison by tlepunishmcnt of the
vendors of it without license but that
there should be Licenses TO retail it at
all, is Que of those anomalies in lesisla-
ton that is uncomfortable i speak ofli-
censes for this object alone, where the
profit on this commodity is the main
induCement to the keeping of tavern,
or what is called by the deceitful ap-
pcllation of grocery, and not for a
real inn or tavern, for the accommo-
dation of travellers, where the vcnd-
ing of spirits is merely auxiliary for
the reireshment of the guests and the
master Of the house, from his charac-
ter and standing in society affords a
guarantee against the abuse of his IL
cense. As far as the power of licen-
sing houses Of this description rests
with the court. it may be relied on,
| believe. that no sach license will be
granted where the object is merely TO
make a profit from the retailing of
ardent spirits !; but as the corporations
of the cities and boroughs Of The dis
trict have concurrent power to Ii
cense retailing shops within their re-
spective franchises, the control of this
Court over them is limited, and no
thing remains to be done hut a rigid
execution ofthe laws against disorder
" houses aud retailers without license.
Such will be objects no doubt of your
particular enquiry. I cannot, gentle
men, leave this subject without COATES
sing my despair at the hopelcssness Of
amy remedy for this gigantic evil, the
general use Of strong liquors. We
arc so familiarised to see drunkards
Keeling along the streets and highways
that the thing makes but little impress
sion US. Look at the number of shops
set up for the express purpose of deri-
wing an WhallOwed gain from the in
temperance of its customers. and VIC
have no occasion to be astonisIlcd at the
number of thcfts and other enormities.
which at every term are presented to
this court. When All unfortunate vic
tim of inebriety is corrupted in his
morals, and reduced to poverty, he
is unified for honest industry, ard
has no means left either to procure
sustcnance, or to supply his favoritc
beverage, but by theft. Should not
the laws have provided more severe
punishment than they have done for
the inveterate drunkard. as well as
for his tempter or seducer? | feel some
hesitation in recommending to you to
take notice of drunkaras, because the
general acquiesence in tolerating this
vice of intoxication would give to such
a recommendation an air Of unusual
severity but | do not see why. up
on rational and acknowledged priu-
ciplcs of law, open and public drunk
enness in the streets and highways
should not be subjects of the animal
version of the law, as being against
common deccncy and dcCorum upon
the same ground, the public and bias
pheinous swearcr is also reprehensl-
bic, who walks your streets exhaling
profanations with every breath of that
atmosphere which a b0untiful Creator
has provided for his existence, and
which enables him to return vile cur
scs for his bounty. am naturally led
by very reasonable association, to
call your attention to sister vice to
the two [ have mentioned, and that is