The people's press, and Addison County Democrat. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1838-1841, 1838-07-03

ami1ied the constitution. again and again, from
beginning TO end, and assert with fearless con
fdcnce, that no provision OF that instrument cal
be found, which clashes at all with the principle
Of Introduction.
There is nothing, which, at the first glance
and taken BY itself. looks SO much like supper.
ting the doctrine Of the unconstitutionality Of Z
prohib.tory law. as the first part Of the first ar
| ,icle of the declaration of Rights. That article
asserts that all men are born equally free and
! independent, and have certain NATURAL inherent,
and inalienable rights, among which, are en-
loving and defending life and Liberty; acquir-
ing, possessing and protecting property; and
pur> uing and Obtaining happiness and safety"
Now if we stay here tire article falls entirely of
proving the point 10 question. If man has
the right Of acquiring, possessing and protect
ing property ii does hot follow. as clear and
inevitable consequence, that the law can lay him
under no restraints as TO the means, which he
employs fer this purpose. The conduct of men
j. constantly Inicrfcred with on this subecl; and
10 one can doubt that il is done rightluily and
consiitutonaly.
No man can require that he be left at liberty
10 acquire property by acts Of vilainy, BY fraud
or theft or robbery. And what are the legtl-
mate means to be employed and what the right
ful course 10 lie pursued for this purpose it rests
with tic law TO determine. If a man has the
right of pursuing and obtaining happiness
and safety is ii 10 be admitted us q sure and
unavoidable Inference, thai lie Is authorised to
claim an exemption from restraint Oh his VIC
ious incliaaiions and may insist on the prlvi-
lego OF indulging himself IN RIGHTEOUSNESS and
prohgacy in courses at war with the welfare OF
Of others and with the great interests Of the
commguiiy ! Tie law prohibits in large va
re'y OF forms aud without any hesitation, VIC
ious iuJulgcnces, aud or whole system Of lie.
gialalion Is regulated by the oh iousIy sound
principle, that Il man has the riglt OF pursuing
happiness only by such means, as are IN accor-
dance with the dictates of virtue and are com.
pat.Jle wiki the morals anG the we'll being Of
socIely.
But, when we proceed TO the subsequent part
Of lie article. Go We ind it provided, that 10
prohibition OF the traffic in ardent spirits Shall
be enacted! GA the contrary, we see at once.
that the whole has not the most remote refer
encc 10 the subject under discussion. There
FORE the article reads, no male person born
in this country or brought from over the sea.
O's5 AT ~ w b'FrS-s ~ AZ We ttiF Ecioou
Is a.s. :, it,,. s -, I.'.,,.. +; r. e
whole has exclns. s-rs4esIon TO involuntary SER
vitude aad 10 nothing else. And a man nigh:
just as well repeat any jumbe of words, entire
ly devoid Of meaning, ard thea pronounce his
point proved. as 10 quote this article in support
OF the unconstitutional character of a Law pro
iib;ing the vending Of ardent spirits. Yet |
would as willingly rest the support of that po-
siton, or this article, and | make the dec!ara-
lion dispassionalcly and sincerely, as on any
other, which, al.er 4 repeated and careful peru
sal Of the constitution, have been able to dis.
cover. And do TO: hesitate to challenge any
man to designate any article which has any
more bearing Oh the subject than the one on
which | nave been commenting. But more
next week.
TEMPERANCE.
Cas,leton, JuDc 16, 1888.