Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-03
For the Telegraph.
TIL E RUM-TRAFFIC.
To Mr.. Elijah Dee, of Georgia, =.

said paper Oh NOV. 22d. 1t Is An old, and
believe generally true adage, that "wovnSo5
birds hutter." have seen the truth of !,
verified among the different species Of n"
fealhered race,-but never did, in all NV
" born days." see one appear to take on 81
bitterly, as your honor seemed to. wbls
proclalmlng TO the world that the left handed
compliment had hit you. l think it mus,
have hit some of your CONSTITUTIONAL
parts. should really think, sir, that con.
sldeIlng the season Of the year, and the de-
gree OF latitude you live in, you might keep
COOL II Is Jolly IN you, sir, while convers>
ing with LETT handed blacksmith, "who il
destitute OF good sense" to let your feelings
rise to SO high pitch. 1t is true that while
| was penning the compliment alluded TO-
the thermometer Of my mind or FEELINGS
rose rather high, but since the cold "snsp"
of weather mas came on, feel as "cooI rs
cucumber" and hope you will soon cool
down, so that wecan discuss the merits Of
the resolution under consideration. Some
Of my friends have suggested, that as the
Cleft handed) compliment was taken uI-
kindly, 1t might be proper now to take the
quill IN my right hand. This will cheer
| fully do; and will endeavor 10 keep it there
, until | close this epistle.
GU accuse me, virtually, Of beginning
with you abruptly. This ! confess, sir, is
truth. 1ou also say you never laid straw
in my way. This suppose is also true
| for have never learned that you had Tried
! to injure me, or that you was disposed 10
| injure any one. You also seem 10 think
that wished 10 Scdnddtize the 1hole si.riv
! three who voted in favor ofyour resolution.
! know sir, that my language was blunt, or
had on rough edge; but still did not de-
sign 10 use ScGRd0t0uS language toward
any Of them q: nor did ! wish 10 injure any
one Of them-and will now say that any
one Of them who feels injured from the
remarks made on the occasion alluded to,
and will inform me OF it, 10 him will make
suitable confession. | felt that they were
deceiDed-that they had not thoroughly e1-
believed that, taking the section " was
informed you mainly relied uvon for sup
port Of your resolution, and using ii for The
purpose you used it, without qualification,
would plunge you and others, where none
would Wlsh!Io go. thought it would estab
llsh dangerous principle. | was told that
the language you used in support of sud
resolution, was contained in the LIST article
Of the bill, or declaration, of rights, which
declares that all men have certain natural,
Inherent, and inalienable rights, among
which are, the en- oying and defending life
and liberty, acquiring, possessing and pro-
tectlng property, and pursuing and obtain
ing happiness and safety.
Now let US examine this sublect-take
different views of it, and see how it will
look on paper. Let US take the man Of
pleasure first. You have an amiable, virtu-
Gus daughter, 90 years of age; A man in
pursuit of pleasure, is resolved on her ruin
| o fn lieh liob Ill;
purpose by violating her chastity She
escapes. He pursues. At this moment
f you chance to observe him and flv to the
rescue your daughter. He is still resolv-
ed 10 accomplish his object, and that by
brute force. You expostuale with him
! and enquire what he is doing, &C. His re-
ply i, that be is in pursuit Of happiness
4ou tell HIM he has no right 10 obtain hap
plneSs IN that way, and moreover there is O
law which will inHict severe penalties for
such conduct. He tells you if there are
any such laws, they are unconstitutional
for the very first article Of the declaration Of
f rights assented to by the trainers Of our con-
! stltutlon, and taken as part If said constI
tuition, (and there is no reserve nor qUalih-
cation in the whole article,) guarantees TO
e me the right to pursue happiness, and am
$ resolved 10 have it. What must be the re-
suit should each one have the privilege of
Obtaining happiness for themselves, regard
n less of the enjoyment of others?
= Again: A mechanic settles down in life,
industrious, economical and prudent-mar-
ries him an amiable and frugal wite-he is
i successful In buslOess-amasses a hand
r some property-but while be is doing this,
i he is rearing family of children, and at the
same time acquires an appetite for intoxi-
eating liqnors; he at length neglects his
business-begns TO squander his property
" His friends see that he is iE imminent dan
ger Of losing his hard earnings-of beggar,
l. ing his family, and of dying drunkard.
S. He is entreated to forsake his cups and
d still be a blessing to himself, his family,
and all around him. But no: his appetite
IS has become master of all his other powers
in Nothing else will give him so much en- JOY
8 ment as to sip at the intoxicating cup
This is a land of freedom. He will neveI
surrender the liberties his fathers fought fol
n and gained. He earned the property, ant
IF has a right to eat, drink and be merry with
A. 1t, and no earthly power has a right to de-
priye him this privilege. His friends are
u fully convinced that persuasion will no
stop him. Application is made to the au
IN thority of the town to have his property Sc
cured to his wife and children. 1t is done,
~ and that too under provision Of the Legs
IS lature. Now as k you, sir, what conslltu-
ut tional right has the Legislature Of this State
of to pass law which shall deprive man Inc
u privilege Of using the properly he has earn.
a. ed, as he may see fit? Yet you kno" ~
es has done it in the very face Of the Isl at'l@
or Gle of the bill Of rights. The man IS Geoa'-
red the use of his property. lie ieels INC
ry cravings of appetite, calls at the llquo1 Snol'
"a makes known his wants, but tells the keep
of er of the shop he has no money. ne o. %,
y, course is refused, calls at the next and IS
Ill refused A memorial is in circulation 70 DC
he sent TO the next Legislature, requesting 'hae
body 10 remove the temPtauon' or ~ on