The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-04
TEMPERANCE.
To the Chairman Of the Central Committee Of
". Tenn. SOc'Y.


". TEN. Soc'y.
SIR,-In my report Of the 9Th inst, urged
immediate attention to certain duties, imposed
upon the people, as friends OF Temperance,
under the recent law, touching Licenses.
We have an obstacle to encounter, in a
vailing ourselves of the facilities thus prolfer-
ed us, which we meet with to some extent,
among our own friends. The idea is too
prevalent, that, Notwithstanding the laws give
facilities Of certain kind, it is not wise to
avail ourselves of them, that the only instru-
mentality to be employed in this enterprise
is moral suasion, and simply because it is n
moral reform.
This logic is too evidently false to deceive,
it would seem, so many, and so wise men
as have subscribed to its truth.
Because an Insurance company is an asso-
citation for money making, and to succeed on
ly by the judicious use Of its capital, there
fore it should resort TO nothing but '.judic-
larry use oSScaPital," for aid, in any emer-
gency, or for any purpose. Associations,
purely religious, are formed, for the purpose
of preaching the gospel and converting men
to christianity, whether in christian or heath
en- lands, and because such is the design, they
mnst never appeal TO civil law 10 remove any
obstacle to the complete success Of the enter
prize. Because, on given occasion, we
are assembled in a Temperance meeting, we
must not appeal to law for aid or defence,
though our dearest rights are trampled on.
Moral suasion is poor security from the
corners Of brick t,but such reliance would
require no greater draft on our faith than TO
be compelled to rely onsuasion to secure our
fallen brother fiom the renewed agsr ,ssions
Of the rumseller, by whose murderous traffic
he has aGoretime been led captive. Law is
not to remove the disposition, but the tempt
alton. Law is for the tempter, suasion for
the tempted. Law is for defence, not forre-
form. Law is for the security of the peace,
for the1emOval Of incentiVes TO violence and
crime. at is easier to keep the maddening
draught from the lips of the drunkard. than
to dry up the tears of burning shame from
the eyes of wife, or daughter, lamenting his
end.''
at is not for us to say what travellers shall
drink" said landlord few days since. True,
but it is for us, the people, TO say what we
will provide for and offer them to drink. If
they choose 10 provide themselves with rum,
arsenic or pistols, they are themselves respon-
sible. The people, in any view of the matter
are under no obligation to furnish either, and
while we are urging one TO drink cold water,
we do not vish the County to tempt him to
drink rum.
On the other hand as guardians Of the pub
lie welfare. they are under the highest obliga-
ton to furnish nothing that shall be produe ]
tive of evil and not of good. Let us have n 4
1istilIery in every town, said distiller to me I
not long since, and then use moral suasion /
10 induce people not to drink" This is no 1
more inconsistent and absurd, than the doc /
rine of those who advocate licenses and at /
he same time Trofess sympathy in the Tenn
oerance cause.
| now proceed to give continued account
IF the License laws of several other States,
in my report Of Aug ed. Be
tide its utility as a matter of general informa-
ion. as to public sentiment through the coun-
nv. the perusal will also show that the po-
tion taken by some gentlemen, that all H.
lenses are mere matter of revenue" can
rot for moment be entertained. On the 9TH
II hand it is conclusively shown that the traf-
ic is everywhere looked upon as dangerous,
md as needing most powerful restraints. 1t
will also remind us that legal sale produces
is much intemperance as a sale without the
auctions of the law.
S. CAROLINA.
Commissioners of high roads and bridges,
n their respective districts and parishes,
the State are empowered "to
lear all applications for licenses TO keep tav-
rms, and retail spirituous liquors, and ''shall
eject such applications or grantsuch licenses
or one year, as to them shall seem meet and
roper The penalty for violating the law
J S1OO, to be expended in repairing roads.
ARKANSAS.
The County Court. lin 1881 are author
zed to license, for which the tax is assessed
rom $40 to 500, both for taverns and gro
cries. The penalty for a disorderIy house