Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-07-21

guments would be equully applicable to the
repeal of: all the laws enacted Tor the pre-
venton and punishment OF crimes and mis-
demeanors; leaving their correction alone
to the power of moral suasien.-Neither
does this position conflict our request for
the repeal of the license laws. Those laws
are comparable with the laws authorizing
lotteries and gambling, asi New Orleans,
France, &C., which our statutes prohibit
together with a long catalogue OF other
nuisanccs and misdemeanors, the practice
of which is denounced as not only lnluri-
Gus to the individuals themselves, but TO
the body polite.
Shall not then, the manufacture and traf-
fc in intoxicating liquors as beverage
an evil Of greater magnitude and more
blghting in its effects than all the others
put together, be added to the list OF our
prohibitory statutes? In doing this your
memorialis1s believe no ne7o ground OF ac-
ton is taken, no new principle started; but
yorr honorable body would only be carry
ing out more fully the principles establish
ed by former Legislatures, in preventing
the evils growing out of an unrestralnea
sale and use Of the destructive beverage ny
hedeing II about with difficulties and re-
strlctions. which doubtless have been con-
sidcred by thousands as onerous infringe
ments upon their rights and privileges
But in the submission of the public to these
laws, it is evident they have conceded to
Legislators the rightto interfere, 20 restrict
and to prohibit the sale of liquors, in all
the varied ways the statutes of every civil
lied nation have prescribed.
We cannot close without adverting to the
action Of many of the states as evlncing
the stirring and vital Importance of this
subiect-several Of whom have put their
veto upon the traffic as beverage, and in
others their Legislators are importunedby
thousands Of their citizens to do the same.
Crowned heads IN Europe, and Chiefs of
the elsie Of the Ocean" are not only re-
formers in practice, but patrons, aiding
with their royal bounty in, the dissemina-
ton, of the principles Of temperance re-
form.
Indeed, we live in an age Of mournful
improvement, in the arts, in agriculture,
commercial facilities, internal improve
ments, and in the extension of general
knowledge. But all these advantages will
add bat little to the sum total of a nations
happiness without corresponding improve
ment in sobriety, economy, good morals
and philanthropy; and these last are as
susceptible Of improvement by the foster
ing hand of legislation, rs the former.-
We have all been Witnesses of the blight
ing and whitening effects Of intemperance
in the several states from which we came
hence our deep solicitude for this our
new and adopted home. that we should
avoid the errors and shun the vices we
have there witnessed.
The pioneer inhabitants of this new land
have~received it fresh and beautiful from
the hand of its benefcent creator. Be it,
then, the pleasurabe task of its pioneer
Legislators to lay the foundation of its mo-
raj excellence and political greatness, by
the enactment of such laws as will insure
the greatest happiness Of the greatest num-
Der Of its citizens. Then will WISCONSIN,
the rising north star of the Union, shine
with meridian splendor. when she shall be
permitted to take her place in the proud
Galaxy Of American States.
And for this your memorialists, as in
duty bound will ever pray.