The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-28
REPORT


Of the Special Joint Committee on the
Petitions, Memorials, and Prescntments
of Grand Jures, concerning the Ii
cense Law, the Retail System, and 9TH
er measures, with view to prevent the
use of Spirituous Liquors, and to ad-
vance the cause of Temperance.
The Special Joint Committee to which
was referred various Petitions, Memorials
and Presentments of Grand Jures, asking
for Legislation on the Licence Law, the
present Retail System, and other m cas-
ures, with view to prevent the use Splri-
tuous Liquors, and advance the cause of
Temperance, have had the same under
consideration, and ask to submit the fol-
lowing
REPORT.
Temperance, and with it the sug-
gestions for abolishing the use of spiritu-
Gus liquors, have occupied much of the at
tention of some of the states ofthis Union.
Various measures have been attempted to
consummate all end, which your commit
tee are free to admit, is worthy of the
most eminent regard, and deserving of the
the highest success. The most mature de-
liberation has nevertheless convinced your
committee, that any prollibitory legisla-
ton upon this subject, at this time, is not
advisable. Public sentiment in this state
has always operated and will always ope-
rate as powerful corrective Of an evil
like that complained of.
The influence which is derived from ex-
ample, all influence daily forcing its way
in the dissemination of ali improving pub
lie on this subject, must, in the opinion Of
your committee, be attended with the most
important and happy consequences.
If at this time, legislation were attempt
ed, your committee cannot but believe, that
a spirit of party feeling would be created,
infinitely more wholesome than the evil
which it is now proposed to correct. DIFF
ferences in opinion have by the attempts
which have been made at similar legisla-
ton in other states, has been engendered
and arc now marked by feeling of the
most violent ar;mosity. The inevitable
result of this, must be in all these States,
to rctard the improvements SO much de-
sired.
Your committee consider that legisla-
ton, is only powerful, & it is added only
useful, when it recommends itself to the
affections Of the people for whom it is
made. And can only obtain a sure guar
antee for the observance ofits enactments
when it inhbits no indulgence and inter-
fcres not with private morals; save upon a
necessity commanding general CONSENT
1t docs not appear to your committee that
legislation, such as is desired, is of this
kind. That experience is most valuable,
which is derived from the practical opera
ton Of similar systems in other countries;
and your committee cannot but consider
that system, as offering little to admire,
and nothingto initiate, which produces the
most bitter differences, and invokes the
most distcmpered and uncontrolled pas
sion. Such have been the results devel-
opcd to your committee by prohibitory
cna2l.ncilts against the use of spirituous
liquors in several of the states of this u
MON. 1t Is true that the failure of an cx-
pertinent at one time or in one place, is of
itself, just ground of refusing an oppor-
tunity for another, and possibly more sue
ccsstul effort. To your committee, howe
rcr, the attainment of the end desired has
appeared almost impossible-the means
proposed wholly impracticable. Wheth-
cr the enactment of laws such as have
been proposed, could effect the consequent
ces anticipated, has appeared to your COM
mittec exceedingly doubtful. While be-
fore an asccrtalnment of the success of
the attempt, you must joopardize the peace
and quiet of the people of this state, and
excite the same angry feelings which have
at times, swept over and convulsed every
portion of our state.
Your committee are confidently of the
opinion that by any imprudent legislation
at this time, the cause of Temperance
would lose much of the vantage ground it
now possesses. The habitual indulgence
in scenes of debauchery, and excesses
which were formerly regarded as matters
r L -