The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-17
REPUBLICANISM.

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REPUBLICANISM
No principle has been more clearly estab.
lished, or more uniformly approved, in our
government, than that the majority should rule.
Men of all parties subscribe 10 this principle,
and not a little ammunition is expended in
the political world to prove that one or the
other party is insincere in its professions. AS
Temperance men, we have nothing to do with
political parties, as such; yet we claim, as
citizens, the right TO demand at the hands of
our law giyers, that the people shall be heard
upon every subject in which they feel an in
terest. Iaration acithout representation led to
the revolution, and eventually established the
doctrine that the majority should govern.
The people of this District are taxed for the
support of paupers--to defray the expense of
criminal prosecutions, &c. These paupers
and criminals are made such by liquor sellers
and these liquor sellers are licensed by our cor
poration; and, inasmuch as the licensing au-
thority is pretended to be exercised for the pub
lie good, is It not just and proper that the pub
ic should be heard, and its wish clearly ascer-
tanned. Under the present system, any half
dozen Of loafers have the power TO erect
rumshop in any, and every part of our city
A very large portion of our citizens alledge,
that the great majority Of the city are opposed
to the legalized traffic in rum.
In this state of the case, they ask Congress
SO to amend the City Charter as to authorize
and empoVer the mqjo'ity Of each s0ard to sag
achet1ey on not rum shall be sold IN such ward
This prayer seems so reasonable, SO just, so
perfectly democratic, that, for the life OF US,
we cannot see how any man claiming to en-
terrain spark of republicanism can object to
it. In the political world it is regarded as
heresy Of the worst kind to doubt or distrusl
the intelligence or patriotism Of the people
we, therefore ask, at the hands Of genuine re-
publicans, who honestly believe that the peo-
pie are capable Of selfgovernment, to vote for
and advocate change in our City Charter,
under which the majority may regulate the
license system.
If, after trial, it shall be found that the peo-
pie in this District are in favor of vending
rum, SO be it. Temperance men will be the
last to rebel against law sanctioned by ma
iority; but let us have fair trial, and no
gouging. Let the matter be fairly put in is
sue let the rum sellers and rum drinkers ar
ray themselves in support Of the present sys-
tenn, with all its despodsm, and with all its
crime. The Temperance army is not only
willing, but eager for the conflict. They are
animated with the consciousness that their
cause is right. 1t is the cause of pure de-
mocracy and pure philanthropy, and, as
such, appeals 10 those who profess to be gov.
erned by American principles, and who have
solennly sworn 10 support the Constitution
whose fundamental principle proclaims the
doctrine that the majority shall ride.
REV. N. HEsroN.-This gentleman, who
has been engaged preaching sometime past
in the Methodist churches of this city, de-
livered an appropriate sermon to the Order of
Odd Fellows on last Wednesday evening, in
the Methodist P. Church. Apart from the
large number of the order present in full re-
gala, the house was crowded with attentive
hearers. We understand that he delivers a
poetical and allegorical lecture in the same
place on next Thursdsy evening. Subject
"The Mansion of Rest; or, Friendship, Love
and Truth" We bespeak for him crowded
house.