Litchfield enquirer., 1847-05-13

involved, than that which is put forth to stay the progress of intemperance, and 10 redeem men from it's power and domln- ion. The success which has attended these efforts, is matter of deep aud sincere congratulaticl. and there is no man who regards the welfare of his fellOw-men, or the best interests of our common country, who can be indifferent to the continued success of this cause. Whether its one ward progress can be aided and will be likely 10 be aided by the force of leglsla- five enactmenis, is a question upon which there is a difference of opinion, even among the friends of the cause. While some contend that moral means, and mo. ral means cnly, are to he employed ana that the sale of intoxicating drinks shall be made to cease, by persuading men not to purchase others insist that the strong urm of the law should be put forth to ar- rest traffic, productive only of unm'ng' led evils to the community and that those who in this day of light, will so sin against their fellow-nen and the great law of righteousness, should be visited with pains and penalties.
 Oi the constitutional power of the Leg isla,ure, no, only to regulate, but to ,nter> dict this traffic, cannot entertain dou6t. Laws in restraint of it, ares 10 be found upon our Statute Book, from our eai Hest existence as 0 State. They have been continued down to the present time and it cannot vary the principle, whether such restraint does, or does not, amount to a proh ibition.
 It is not until recently that the power to pass such laws has been questioned i; and that question has, it would seem, been put at rest by late decision of the Su- preme Court of the United States,
 It is to be regretted that our legislation upon this subject has been f1uctuating, and still more to be regretted, if party feelings and party views have entered at all, as an element. into the consideration of question, i'd which men of all parties have deep and common interest.
 The subj ct is one of peculiar dslicacy; ard in relation to it, may be permitted to remark, that our legislation, in order 10 be effectuul, must be just. That the pen> al,y should be proportioned to the offence, and that the laws on this subject should not conflict with, but be sustained by an enlightened public opinion.
 To place laws on the Statute Book, which cannot be enforced. is not idle merely, but mischievous.
 Whether the Act of tho last Session, leaving the traffic open alike to all, under the modification prescribed by the Act. is such an one as the public sentiment de- mands, or as will answer the just expecta- lions of our constituents, is a question well deserving your consideration. | Since the last meeting of the Leglsla> ture, events of no common character have transpired and certain measures have been adopted, which cannot but deepen the interest which this State has in the administration of the General Gsvsrn- ment.
 The Tariff Act of l842, under the influ- cnco of which our langulshing manufac> lures revived, industry received new impulse, labor found it's appropriate ems plovmcnt, and all tho great interests of the country prospercd, has heen repealed and in it's place, another Act, founded on different principles, and to be followed, il is feared, by different results, has been adopted.
 It is believed that the repeal of the Act of l842, was uncalled for. As revenue measure, it more than answered the ex- pectalion of it's friends while nt the same time, it afforded that incidental protection 10 ihe products of American industry and skill, which it was tho early policy 0 the Governin' Rt to afford, and which is idenA tified i, is believed, with the highest and best interests of the country.
 What will be the effect of the present Tariff, as a mere financial measure, re- mains 10 te determined. That il affords any adequate protection to American lh> dustry, against the pauper labor of Eu> rope, is hardly pre,enhrd.
 This subject mas been SO fully discussed before the American people, and it is on upon which the opinion of the Genera Assembly of this State has been so often expressed, that any farther discussion of it here would be out of place.
 Nor will stop to discuss the Sub Treasury system, so called. This, too, has been before the American p ople, and judgment pronounced upon it, which, it would seem could not oe mlsta- . ken, although it may br, aud has been disregarded.
 But there are other subjects connected l with the administration of the Federal Government, of deep interest, not only 10 the people of this State, bu. to all the States in the Union, and calculated 10 have an important bearing on the interests and | destinles of the nation.
 We urc, fer the first time in many years. unhappiIy involved in a war,-and a war with sister Republic. And while we pay a just tribute to the vAlor of our coun,rymen, while we indulge in just national pride in those brilliant triumphs which have crowned our army and v hich we han as the harhingers of speedy peace, and while we would afford to the administration of the General Government every necessary aid 10 enable it to bring lhe war 10 a successful termination, yet we must be permitted to i"quire-and the American people ,o,H inquire-into the origin, the objects aud ihe probable conse> quences of this war. Nor will they fail 10 express their honest opinions of the con. duct of those by whom this calamity has been brought upon the country. This course may be denounced as reasonable. but these opinions will be expressed and these inquiries made, until we are brought under the dominion Of a government. | |