Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-12-28
To TIE Honoarable The Genera! .2sssn'6ty
OF MARYLAND.

De OFanN fnuutst " 80
Maryland, sitting for the Body oil the
City of Baltimore, respectfully repre-
sent, that, in The discharge OF THEN du-
ties, the Grand Jury now in attendance
upon Baltimore City Court, have una
goidably been conducted from an inqui-
ny into the existence Of crimes, to the
investigation 81 the Causes OF their
existence, and the condition OF their
perpetrators at the moment OF their
COMM ssions The necessary relation
OF cause ard effect existing between
these subjects, wop.d OF Itself have for
ced upon the Grand Jury the j@int con-
sheraton of them. They could not have
closed their eyes against the apparent
provocaticn to crime which each case
preseat4d, nor could they be insensible
to the prominent causes al the angry
and malignant passions, the indulgence
OF which they were SD often required TO
observe, 10 lament, and to punish. But
they have MT believed that their duties
Terminated with the silent obse rVatlou Of
them. The mild and merciful spirit of
that law, whose ministers they are, has
taught them that they are to require Pc
tit Juries to convict and Judge to pun
ish with a view to the prevention oi
crime, and that with all its stern inaic.
tions Of penalties. il seeks not for yea
geance, bot would rather that the often
der and all others, from those infections,
might cease to do gil and learn to do
well
They csnxot, Therefore, consider it
as without the pale of their duties, to
call the attention of their fellow citizens,
and of their Legislature, to a cause Of
crime which has become go prominent
as in sope degree to have entered into
the commissioR OF every crime, and in
most crimes to have sw widowed UP eve
ry other. If, in doing this, and IN the
suggestion of possible remedies tor the
removal of this cause or Of IFS devastat-
ing effects upon all with whom the Of
fender is connected, they can say its
progress, in single instance, or snatch
one brand from tie barning," they have
their reward
From Whatever causesit has arisen,
il is yet undeniably that the vice of
drunkenness, has prevailed and does pre-
vail in the United States Of America, to
a degree unknowa even to old Europe,
vetern as she is in crime. And It's ia
wages are with us of mere desolating
character, because win Us It is not the
sturdy, pampered vice which feeds up
on the wealth, and which riots over
Golden stores, bat it has even found its
way into every cottage and into the bo-
som Of every Labourer's family. The
tiresides Of The Industrious poor lave
been polluted BY its approach. The
sturdy Yeomaary- the bone and sinew
of our country have ~aecome its constant
and submissive followers Their hum.
bic walks of lita to which we were won't
to resort for pictures ond enhlems- of
tranquility, conteHtment and happiness
present to us ne~ the hRggard look, the
distorted features and the desparing
brow of the drunkald; a life of discord
and poyerty--and old of wretchecness
and death of horrors. Even tho For
eigner who seeks our shores with means
and energy fer bis own advancement,
has scarcely placed his foot upon
our soil, before he seems to be infected
by this dominant vice. -
Thisis startling reality, and etwith
all its horrors around us as people,we
are content to sit down under il as If it
were tolerabls, or il intolershle, as 40.
remediabie
When this vice has advanced to lie
present alarming degree il unquestiona
bly, becomes cr'sae, and its suppress,
sion matter Of pu6licvconcern. When
it is public in its example and extends
hey the victim in its consequences,
it is then undoubtedly &c Public vics,
which for its social effects every Gov
eminent may iightfully punish or res
train by such checks and safeguards as
NAV be likely tonbpiate its public coa-
sequences. Whatever may be said of
the right of any Government to inter-
tere in matters of morality, when NOR
al duty becomes apublic and social du-
ty, there can be no question about tue
right 10 enforce its observance.
More than century has elapsed.
since by an Act of the Legislature of
Mary land, coguizance was taken of this
as crime, but the provisions of that
Law are seldom enforced, or if enfor:
ced, are Of bat little avail in reforming
the Otfende- epm1yinp tha canseS Of