Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-12-06
~ = $ g u Il l. q II y
From ihs Georgia .lusu,. .Nsr }
AC~IICAT OpStpN .-f.tn~,
NNCTcAL UENEIiN ArlONS.

\ -.
Too much Legislation. is one Of
the great evils OF our country. Every
thing must be done by legislation. IN
deIiakings that ought 10 be left free TO indi-
viduai enterprise, must have Legislative
action upon them. Evils that can be re d.
medied by public opinion alone. mus, &c
acted upon by the Legislature. Ii an in
dividuai, OF a dozen OF them. desire some
advantage over their ncighbors, they ma
mage to Zip bill through the Legislature
under some prcteXt OF public good
Hence .he time ofthe Legislature j. tax en-
up IN passing laws, the cost Of " hioh to
say the least Of them are OF no public
utility. aud many OF which are absolutely
misohievous.
We have been led 90 these remarks
from having observed in the presentments
OF some OF the grand juries a disposition
to get up legislation upon The sale of ar
cent spirits, by way oi putting 4 stop -
drunkenness.
IL is - us ALWAYS a matter of regret TO
see efforts making to iegsla,e upon those
things which belong exclusively 10 the
morality of the country. We recre, 10
see At. because IT argues the existence in
OF morals IN the mass and a want of firm
ness and moral courage IN those y he pre-
tend To be the friends and advocates Of
morality and virtue. We have often said
ant now say again. that The legitimate
and the only legitimate sphere OF iegisla-
tive action Is II be found IN the protcc-
tion o! the rights Of the people. The mo.
FalI'y and relS ZION OF the country must
take care Of themselves. and when they
are too weak 10 do u, The auem1, to do
10y legislation i farce and mockeIy.
IL laws could execute themselves, then It
might he Of some use TO engage IN this
soI' oI legislation; but 4, requires ircn TO
90 II. ard when any vice not affecting
The nights OF individuals Is so prevalent IN
ne country as 70 induce people 20 ask
leg. iauon ior ITS Impression ., IS con
clusINe evidence That legislation will be
OF no service. II pubAc opinion Will not
put a. down. that same public OPINION will
not permit The law to be eGfoIced Com
mon sense teaches the truth Of this, and
experience provcs A. You may talk about
the use of ardent spIuts as much As YOU
please and abuse the sale Of il tu, as
''ns a. large portion Of The respectable
2ar' OF Tue community drink a. and for
'hat Tdvpo.e visit the places where It Is
sold nobody Viii inoici .hose y TO drink
o. nose who sell. Look a. the laws against
gaino"ng-s"e how hey aFe executed
Wo or 'hEee y ap aEo ihc cTaad jury u
u" county were about 10 present gam
h'er'' AMI as soon as they found II out
they made out LIST 81 chose citizens y m
mao gamuIed Win them. and presented
or were about TO present them, and the
S.H'u Jury cropped me whole moier.-
~. Avs against gambling are hue things
81 'ohs a. lh'y operate only on the poor
''sAooud 81 a gambler "ho has no wealth
o' "'ehuS OF influence outIi hey should
happen 10 touch The wealth and resPecta-
o"iy ana me blood OF The c1un'fy-Who.
ny heiI influence and example, 90 more
injury IN day iban the gamblers would
90 IN year-it Is better that The laws
'"ou'd no' be enforced
grea; deal Is said about drunkenness
sh" ea"Oi"g ana al these SOFT oi things,
npt people are not so much opposed 10
tDem as they want persuade themselves
'hey are
- true II man gets drunk and
spends all bis property, 81 II he ganbles
ana i TOO deii or Too honest 10 sWindie
any ooAy oni oi lhc'r money, every bo-
'y lace Is set against hun; bot let a
Young man gtl drunk ana gamble and
make penny oil money "a keep 1t. aad 1t
may some 'h'e' he sui Us ri'y lie
'i'nAS "hi gan'ie'' Gut you tF'as ham
WI" q, "e'4 More "'rhuon when
w." "' az" ~ we 'He''s' you would
ihVNe him u your house much sooner.