The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-22


heads OF her military despots, who care not for the
bloei they may cause to flow, provided they Sc
cure the selfish ends OF their inordinate ambition.
In any event, our country will have nothing to APP
prehend.
As to the letters of marque, they will be totally
imperative for the annoyance of our commerce,
under the existing treaties of the various nations
of Europe and South America, mutually prohibi
tory Of the advantages derivable from the issue OF
letters of marque, and with the protection of our
gallant and efficient navy.
Taking every thing into consideration, we await
with the utmost anxiety the receipt of our next
advices from Mexico.
ANTI-LlcENsE Laws There is a natural feeling
OF something asir in the community, relating to
the movements which have been made respect
ing the prohibition of the sale of wine or spirits
under the name ofintoxicating drinks. Some are
very indignant. others half and half, and some
are very happy about the matter. Itis undoubt-
eddy, true that the passage of laws of doubtful
benefit to any one, have rather evil effect upon
public feeling, and one like this is probably at var
ance with the republican institutions of our coun-
try. When free trade is supposed to be the prevail
ing sentiment ofthe age, this movement to cut short
the supply of drink, is considered by many as an
outrage upon the liberal portion ofthe community
Aside from all the hackneyed views relative TO
the effects, good bad, of quor-it is the system
pursued for the suppression of the trade, which
calls forth the indignation of some of the people,
According to the views OF several, the advo-
Gates Of temperance commenced on the broad
ground of principle, and with banners and music
created an excitement throughout the country
4. =
comes, and temperance is considered at dis
count-but yet there are sufficient number left,
who, like the abolitioniss in certain States hold
a balance of power capable of exertng an i'm.
mense deal of influence. This portion of society
succeed in having laws passed that are uncon-
sttutlonal, regulating throwing the power
into the hands Of others, of regulating, what
is called legitimate branch of trade. AS to
the constitutional right of any branch of
our State governments to suppress the trade
in liquor, no decision has yet been arrived
at by our most eminent jurists. In the cases
carried up to the Supreme Court of the United
States, from Massachusetts, majority of the
Judges, as near as could be ascertained, were of
an opinion that the anti-cense laws were uncon-
stitutional, even when passed by State Legisla-
lures; and yet, say the advocates of free trade,
petty courts take upon themselves to decide upon
law and fact, and promulgate edcts for the COL
lection of fines. 1t would at least seem reason
able that all decisions in this matter should be left
in allegiance to the Judgment of ths highest court
of America.
The mere common sense view of the question
is altogether on one side. All laws tending to
continue favors to the rich and withhold them
from the poor, are most essentially anti-democra-
tic, and of this kind, no one can deny, is an edict
allowing the man with means 10 buy ten gallons
of brandy, and virtually prohibiting the poor man,
because he is poor, from purchasing what may
be actually necessary to the preservation of his
health and strength If the use of spirits is re-
garded by some as poison, it is esteemed by
others as a necessity, and there is no more pro-
priety of the former regulating the appetites of
the latter, than for an alopathist community to
hang the first homeopathst who appeared among
them, on the ground of the latters practice being
detrimental to public good.
If the United States were to pass an act prohi-
biting the importation of all kinds OF fermented
liquors, the act would operate equally upon all,
and oming from the highest reach of govern
ment, would be sgarded with respect; but so
long as the man of wealth is allowed TO buy his
two dollar bottle Of port with impunity, for his
own pleasure, so long will the laborer and me-
chanc obtain glass of beer for his own good All
the state and town laws in the land annot pre-
vent the sale and purchase OIL liquor by those who
choose 10 indulge in them. The laws themselves,
resting upon slender grounds of right, if any, can
not withstand single broadside of legal techni-
calities and is remarkable fact, that the costs
of suits and other incidental expenses, have
ed an increase of tax upon the inhabitants OF
some towns, and have amounted to more than
the whole cost for the support of the county poor,
who become so, as the agitators pretend, from
intemperance.
Legal suasion will never manufacture tempe
rance men. The influence of society will do
more towards this desirable end. Where
universal opinion or morality do not strictly
call for our interference in the business OF
our neighbors, we should pay that respect
to their views which we would have paid to our
own; and mere abstract idea of what is proper
TO be sold, what to be eaten, what to be drank
and in what quantities, should not give body Of
fanatics, through the help of wealth. and political
influence, the power to control and destroy the
legal business of a numerous class of citizens
whether it be in brandy or bread.
1t has been proved by experience that coercive
measures never make temperance men. 1t ha.
been said that the fifteen gallon law of Massa
chusetts actually made drunkards We are strong
advocates of temperance, and we therefore de.
sire to see proper course adopted for the sup.
preston of drunkenness.
TRAVEL TO BosroN VIA NORWICH AND WoR.
cEsTER.-We take pleasure in recommending tc
the travelling community, the new steamboat.
Atlantic and Worcester, which travel on the
Sound, in connection with the Norwich and
Worcester Railroad. The Atlantic is acknow.
lodged to be one of the finest and safest steamers
aiioat; and the Worcester has just come from the
dry dock htted up and trimmed in!such a manner
as to almost equal the Atlantic. She is under the
command OF Captain John Van Pelt, one of our