Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-26
Communication.
THE LICENSE LAW.

Ma. EpIToR - On Thursday of the ensuing week,
will return the annual cleo ion OF Commissioners OF
Licenses for this county Shall or shall not, licenses
be granted TO moderate number, and sutficen, to
satisfy the wants Of the community, according to
law is the question which forms the existing issue.
The features which belong to this issue scarcely
have been unnoced, even by the mos, careless eye.
Ii contains elements which intimately concern both
the of law and morals generally. and the social
peace and welfare of the country in particular Sure
ly just man, no faithful citizen, whatever may be
his power the success of either side Of this issue,
can examine il with other than deep and lively in
terest or await its results with other thana profound
anxiety. And no person whose right and privilege
it will be to vote at the approaching contest and who
seeks 10 make a CONSCIENTIOUS use of his vote, will
study this issue for any purpose other than 10 deter
mine IT'S merits and, how bv his vote and influence
he may best ain them was opposed 10 the pre-
sent law Of licenses for sale of spruous liquors at
ne time Of its enactment, both on account Of the
principle which lies at the foundation Of the class of
laws OF which this one, ami because Of ha couse-
quence which feared would follow its passage. I
have since frequently studied the former, AMI have
found no change my CONVICTIONS. neither
have the latter disapp, inted my expectations. Such
laws not new in the history OF legislation. They
will generally be found coeval with those periods
when the theory Of law giving was least enlightened
when the conscences Of men considered as
being the legitimate properly of the body polite and
the right Of private judgement upon speculative sub
lects of behavior was not recognized. They will be
found usually 10 have sprung from tina, sel6shness Of
power which seeks to guard itself even by the mos,
Jealous and INSCRIPTIONS intrusion into the affairs OIL
! private life 1t is by 10 means consequence that
every command, which issues from the throne echoe.
the voice ofyranny. 1t is not less consequence tina
conscientious but misguided zeal may be more unjus
and mischievous than the royal dicior. / have beer
for many years past the member of temperance SO
cie,y in This town, During long period before m,
membership, believe faithfully oil served the mos
rigid principles of the cause of temperance From
my childhood, even, have been an ardent lover o.
i the cause, have admired and reverencrd it, as con
tanning the noblest and happiest issues which coulc
concern the temporal and lasting welfare Of my fel
low men, IN every condition of life. Increasing year
have given me increase of faith. Besides lis success
IN other parts of the country, has wrought miracles
in this State and Il its necessities rightly Studio,
and lis high and delicate relations to the conscience
of men observed and sacredly las they have thu
far been, and as they should continue to te) observed
il will yet work miracles in this State Possessed o
my particular views, could not observe the passag,
and effects OF the law without fear and trembling
But as 1t j. now among our statutes, one only anx lie
~ should be SO to act that its evil qualities may b.
subdued, ana its good ones, such II has, may be de
veloped The object of those who are dlsiinsuishe,
. as the Ant, Licensing Party is to elect Commission
ers whose duty it shall be, LIST. To allo " no sales @
spirituous liquor for other than for medical, chemica
and mechanical purposes 3D. grant no licences, ex
cept for a number, which shall be larger than L
conform to the most rigid letter OF the law; Sd. t
require Of those who obtain licenses TO preserve an
render to the Commissioners, accounts OF the quaint
ties sold OF the times Of saes and of the names of III
purchasers, and to sefto those only, who shall fur
nsh reasons sufficient TO eniite them TO purchase
the suHiciencv Of which reasons the vendors
the Judges. The object Of thoe who are design tie
as the Licensing Parry is TO elect Commissioners VIII
shall grant license TO a moderate extent, and thos
only whose characters as citizens IN addition TO IN
penalss Of The law, n be SUFFICIENT guaranty ths