The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-03

us by fair reasoning that we are wrong and
we instantly yield; but, until that be done,
we shall stand on the rock of truth and deiy
the boasting Bailey to move us from our
firm position, even when he opens his
$ f1ood-gate y to let down his " oyerwhelm-
ing torrento upon us all.
We are glad that Lewis has introduced to
public attention, through the columns OF
your paper, the fact that all the fraternity OF
spirit-dealers and drinkers are wanting IN
lone Of country; and we are pleased that
the same writer, in reply to Bailey, keeps
them all to that point. Lewis will not OBJ
ject to my notice in this place. He will
not, we hope, take the slightest objection to
our course. We have full confidence in his
competency to manage the argument, but
we feel as if we would like to fling small
stone at this Goliah of intemperance. Mr.
b. twists and writhes under the strong ar
gument intended to show that those who
are opposed to the temperance cause are not
"true patriots" That is sharp arrow,
shot from strong bow by vigorous arm,
and it has pierced through The coat Of mail
with which the rum faculty usually arm
themselves: it has entered quite into their
feelings, and the sensation is far otherwise
than pleasant. We are much in hopes that
this internal commotion Of Bailey and his
clique will bring them all to their sober
thoughts. Let them compose themselves to
serious reflection, and they will soon be-
come convinced that it is more g honorable"
to sell bread than it is to sell brandy. One
has to make broad smile, however serious
we may be, to observe contrasts so silly.
Bread is the support Of life, but brandy is
the bane of life ssThe bread merchant
may sell in peace, but the brandy merchant
must be annoyed by the, teetotalers!w If
the brandy merchant had any conscience he
would be troubled enough without the tee
totalers. His conscience has left him, and
we desire to bring il back, that its whole
some admonitions may be regarded in time
to save him from the just censures of his
enlightened fellow-citizens, who are the true
patriots.
Mr.. B. asks, with an air of triumph, SIS
not this free country?" We ask Mr.. B.,
Is All honest man free to steal in this free
country? Is a aoell-brcd man free to abuse
his honest neighbors' Is man that re-
CARDS the truth free to lie against his fel-
lows /? Is real loper of his country free
to sell an article to his fellow-citizens that
he knows will craze them, and may cause
them to abuse others, to steal, aye, even to
murder, while under its deranging influence?
But Mr.. B. has great regard for the law
makers, and thinks they are quite as COM
petent to judge on this subject as Mr.. Lew
is: and thus he shields himself by the law.
Where is there any law obHging men to sell
ardent spirits We know of none. But
there is a law granting license to sell that
poison. These license laws were made al
a time when the great evil of intemperance
was not duly considered. Many good men
then dealt in the article. Good men also
voted for the license law. The time is
close at hand when these laws will be re-
pealed, or enacted some specific statute to
prevent the sale of ardent spirits. The mere
fact that man is chosen to lcgislate for any
state in the Union is no evidence that he
loves his country. If legislatures sanction
the making and vending of intoxicating
liquors as common beverage, the same
argument that proves the brandy merchant
is not a true patriot will prove that the le-
gislator is not real lover of his country.
Mr.. B. will gain nothing, therefore, by re-
ference to the license law. One criminal
might, with the same show of reason, ap
peal for justification to another criminal
for the vender and he who authorizes him
to sell the poison are both in the same con-
demnation. We must stop for the present.
We hope Lewis will continue to urge this
point We think he is modest and will