Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1838-05-17

How long think we such a General would
retain men to fight his battles, or how long
would it be ere he would be left alone in his
glory? B.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Mr.. Adams AS the time for converting
our Legislature is already at hand, when
"great and weighty matters,"' of both moral
and political character will doubtless be dis
cussed, few thoughts on subject of great
interest, and much agitated at the present
day, and which will probably come up during
the present session, may perhaps be deem
ed opportune, from friend of Temperance
and good order. and warmly attached to the
citizens of this Gland of steady habits" If
SO, you are at liberty to insert the following
considerations in your paper.
On the annual assembling of our State
Legislature, it is natural that we should look
with interest, and high anticipations, upon the
probable results of the session. For to them
we intrust our liberty, and might say, lives;
and for them to direct, we leave matters Of
the greatest interest, touching the welfare,
not only of ourselves, but by the force of cx-
ample, the whole Union. For no one has
failed to observe this,-that no sooner does
one State strike forth upon some new and
untrodden path-thereby securing great
good to its citiZens-than other States, profit
ing by their experience, fall in; and all move
on together, in one harmonious whole; all
contributing to fulfil the highest expectations
of those who came before us, and who huve
now gone from our midst.
And with no little interest, do we wait to
see the stand which our Legislature shall
this year take, on the great subject of Tenn
perance-or rather the licensing the sale of
spurious liquors. 1t we have rightly OBJ
served, Connecticut has, on this subject, ev-
er kept pace with her sister States but whilst
we glory in the course which she has taken,
let us cast a glance into the future. For now
is the time to be up and doing.
Within the last year, one State, at least,
has taken yet holder stand. The old Bay
State has spread out its banner. There, the
fire which heated the sworn of the Still"
has been put out. 1t has sunk its head, and
Strengthened out its coil and if the intention
of the Lawgivers succeed, no moro will it
spread its frey vengeance over the land
But the question comes home to us-will the
measure, so bold, and fraught with such
alarming symptoms to the cause of Temper.
ance, succeed! Would to heaven that it
might! But are we ready for such a
measure? We mean law prohibiting en-
tirely the sale of spurious liquors-except for
medicinal purposes. We think the public
mind is not yet ripe for it. The intentions
of the authors of such movements are com.
pletely fulfilled, only when it is the voice of
the people, and the whole people. And is
such the case now! Have we yet, as peo-
pie, and as State, done all we can before
this step is taken? If we have not, let us
not then enact such law as will have a ten
dency to dampen the ardor of those who
have thus far co-operated with US in the
great cause.
We deem the object of Statute Laws, on
moral subjects, to be, not to forestal the exer-
lions OF individuals or communities but af-
ter they have acted, then 10 come in and sus-
tain them. That State has the constitution
al right to enact such law, we would not
pretend to question. But, let us not tor this
reason, simply-tha: we have the right
commit an act which will cast a shade over
the doings of those who have hitherto been
pre-eminent for their well doing-and an act
too, which will tend to render our enemies
the more desperate.
The law passed in a neighboring State,
has not yet gone into operation; but its ef-
fects, when it shall have been enforced. are
looked forward to with alarm, by many
friends of temperance. tits aheadlong step.
A measure, which will with difficulty be sus-
tanned. To have the full benefit of such
law, in community like ours, it is essentially
necessary, that we all should, in heart and
deed, be ready to unite our efforts together.
The little State of Connecticut is not a
kingdom by itself; nor is it State by itself
-unvisited or uninhabited by the citizens
of anv other State but our interests are en-
twined with those oftwenty- five other States.
We are continually passing from one State
to another-and all our efforts-and the laws
to the contrary notwithstanding-will not
prevent the violations of the sacred intention
of our law makers.
A law, which bears upon its face so much
appearance oftynnny. as the enemies Of the
cause OF Temperance think this does, will be
evaded, for all we can do. The cases Of
horse racing, gambling. duelling. and the
like. cannot be offered by the director; for
they are not parallel instances.
And, moreover, aside from the danger in
the end of doing injury TO the temperance
reform-of abating the ardOr of its advocates,
and thereby giving encouragement to its en-
emies--there is great danger too, by this
means, Of the temperance question assuming
a political character; from which may heav-
en- preserve IL! Among those who are for
ever prophesying that some unforeseen evil
awaits us-that our days are numheTed-we
hear some ever raising cry against imag-
ined "aristocracy"-"C Church and State !"
but from present appearances, In some parts
of our country, we think there h more reason
70 cry out-"Temperance and STATE"
TO preserve this, which 10 the cause Of
and the lover Of his country,
from assuming such form let us use our
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