The Polynesian., 1841-01-30

dent spirits by the people. AND TINS re-
formation we may be assured wrought
something higher than outward prosper
ity. In almost every family SO improved,
we cannot doubt that the capacities of the
parent for intellectual and moral improve
mcnt were enlarged, and the means of ed
ucaton made more cicctual TO the child.
! call on working men to take hold OF the
cause Of temperance as peculiarly McrI
cause. These remarks arc the more need
cd, in consequence of the efforts made far
and wide, to annul at tic present momcn,
Il recent law for the suppression of the
sale of ardent spirits in such quantities as
favor intcmpcrancc. | know, that there
are intelligent and good men, who believe.
that, in cnacting this law, government
transcribed its limits, left lis true path.
and established precedent for legislative
interference with all our pursuits and
pleasures. No one here looks more jcal-
Gus Y on government than myself. But
| | maintain, that this is case which
stands by itself, which can be confoundcd
with no other. and on which government
from its very nature and end is peculiarly
bound to act. Let it never be forgotten.
! that thc GREAT end Of government, lis high
est function. is. not to make roads, grant
charters, originate improvements, but to
prevent or rcrrcss crime against individ-
ual rights and social order. For this end
it or,!nills penal code, crccts prisons.
and iu!licts fearful puniS!mcnts. Now if
! 1t be true. that vast proportion OF tie
cimcS, whic. government is instituted to
prevent and rcprcS$, have their origin in
the use of ardent spirits: if our poor-hous-
cs, warehouses; lalS a0d pcMiicntarics
are tonantcd in great degree by those,
whose first and chief impulse to crime
came from the distilIcry and dyam-shop;
if murder and theft, the most fearful out
RACES on property and life, are most irc-
Gucntv the issues and contamination OF
intcnpcrancc, is not government bound
to restrain by legislation the vending of
the stimulus to these terrible social wrongs:
Is government never to act as a parent.
never to remove the causes or occasions
of wrong doing: Has it but one ins,ru-
mcnt for REFRESHING crime, namely. public,
Infamous punishment, an evil only info
rior to crime !: Is government Il us,lrpcr,
does it wander beyond its sphere, by I'M
posing restraints on an article, which does
no imaginable good which can plead no
benefit conferred on body or mind, which
units the citizen for the Discharge of his
duty to his country, and which, above all,
stirs up men to the preparation of most
of the crimes from which it is the highest
and most solemn office OF government to
protect society:
1t is chiefly through books that we en-
Joy intercourse with superior minds, and
these invaluable means of communication
are in the reach of all. In the best books,
great men talk to us. give us their most
precious thoughts, and pour their souls
into ours. God be thanked for books.
They arc the voices of the distant and the
dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual
life of past ages. Books are the true lev
elIcrs. They give 10 all, who will faith
fully use them, the society, the spiritual
presence of the best and greatest of our
race. No matter how poor am. No
matter though the prosperous of my own
time will not enter my obscure dwelling,