Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-06-27

vending liquors at their stores, and the following
Justice voted for The privilege, To wit: Edward
Ervne, and those who voted against the privilege,
were Joseph Moore, Paul Mcvcel, John Gay. A
braham Fill, David w. Keer. Hugh Mclaughlin,
William l.. Fertig, John w. Warwick, James
Sharp john McVeel, john Yeager, Leonard Her
ring, William Cackley Jacob w. Matthews, Jo-
siah Beard, Benny TalIindn, William L.. McVeel,
and Samuel Hogseit,
Therefore, it is considered by the Court that
hereafter no license shall issue to merchants or 9TH
| ers for the purposes aforesaid
ACopy--Tesc,
The motion for the expression of the above 6pn-
ion was made from the Bar. The perniciOus effects
of the sale and use of ardent spirits upon the good
order and sobriey ofthe citizens IF tho County were
the cause Of tho motion. The IMPROPERLY of grant
ing licenses 10 traffic in ardent spirits suggest
ed TO the Court, and il improper to license
its USE II would be well for the Courtto say once
for all, that no lceiise should issue. The motion
was opposed by two members of the Bar. They
suggested to the Court that the proposed action
might affect The rights of individuals who felt dis
posed to traffic in IT, for sometimes might be prop
er togran licenses that it would affect the reve-
nue. Interest of the State and that the Court ought
| to act independently and NOT commit themselves
for they had the power to discriminate in granting
licenses, but should retain this privilege, and wien
applications were made, should then decide wheth-
they would grant license in tina, particular case
or not. To this, it was replied since deIelerous
consequences resulted from the sale and use of ar
dent spirits, ard as the Court had the power TO
grant not 10 grant, tina; it was prudent and prop
er for the Court 10 say whether they Would grant
licenses TO vend liquors not grant. After dis
chssion full enough for a proper understanding of
the subject, and enough TO prevent the Court from
acting under any mistake, they proceeded TO give
their opinion, and the above is the result. In this
action the Court seemed to act under a. sense of
duty. There had been no PRIMARY meetings by
the people-ho general excitement upon the sub
ject-no expression Of public sentiment--no petit
ton or resolution froih the people asking the Court
for an action upon the subject. But when the mo-
lion was made in open Court, the Court seemed at
once TO see and feel the propriety and the necessity
of such an action, and acted accordingly.
The sales of liquors in different parts of the
County, were exerlng pernicious effects Demon
alization among many individuals was taking place.
the sobriey and good conduct of many were be-
coming somewhat perverted and drunkenness was
marked upon the foreheads Of many. The morals
and peaceful repose of some neighborhoods were
becohing Ghheatthful, Frequent disputngs and
contentious grew out Of the use liquors
The Court saw all this, and as guardians of the
peoples rights and welfare, they could not be the
means of iegakzing the ruin and utter destruction
of those, whom it was their duty to protect. They
could not authorize and legaliae the destruction of
thepeople, thei. persons, property, morals, peace,
sobrley, good standing, and every thing. Thanks
to the Court for their noble discharge of duty
thanks 10 The Court for the noble independence ex
hibited on this occasion. May they ever be found
as true, as faithful, as independent.
Irrespective Of other considerations, the unanm-
ity of the Court Shows ccnclusivey that there
| a necessity for the action. And It is trusted the
Court will continue to feel the necessity of contn-
ming their dsinterested care for the good of the peo
pie; that they will firmly and faithfully adhere to
their opinion, and in future act in accordance with
their opinion that they will acqut iheinselveeiike
meh ard will maintain their opinion and Authority,
Notwithstanding they may be assaulted and calum-
mated by the drunken rabbie and those misanthrop
ic Creatures whose hearts are hardened against all
the finer feelings ard sensibilities ofnteliigent and
social beings, and who heap up treasures at the ex-
pense of the utter and entire ruin Of their fellow be-
fngs-at the expense of the ruin and utter desiruc
ton Of the lives, PROPERTY, reputation character,
tPeace ard happiness of individuals, families and
communities,
And gentlemen of the Court, SUCH persons no
doubt will assa you, but you will stand firm against
the foe of the human race, and firmly and unfnch-
ingly maintain your opinion; and protect and de-
end the rights and Interests of the people, whose
sworn guardians you are. And tie assured you have
the appreciation of all the Sober, intelligent, and
uptight citizens Of your County and if the drunk
en- hords, and those destroying fends in human
shape (the liquor venders y should assaiI Won. as
|
their depraved and vicious taste, and heap up treas
ure at the expense Human blood regard them not
So long you have the cordial appreciation of the
good and SOBER which will be as opg as your action
corresponds with your expressed opinion, you need
| not be careful what they may say concerning you.
The good citizens of Pocahontas will stand by you
and sustain you.
And to the good people Of P6coaahontas County.
have we not enough Of magnanimity and irmness
10 support and sustain the action of the Court q
Shall we be 50 Indifferent that we will not give TO
those who care for our happiness and PROSPERITY or
hearty approbaton2 Let us all unite to sustain
the Court in The expressi N Of their Opinion, and
their determination for the future. Let us encour-
age them TO adhere to their determined course.-
Lei us protect them from the assaults of those WHO
would SOW ire-brands and death broad cast amongst
US; and in so protecting them, may they understand
that we expect and require them to adhere to their
determination that demand it as our RIGHT And
let all the lovers of good order peace, intelligence
and sobreJy aid the action of the Court and assist
in the exterminai0b--ihe total observation-disclosures
the disgracefe business of selling liquors, and the
-deesting practice Of drunkenness. Let all help
TO wipe Off the disgrace that has long furnished
our name. And then may we not soon expect when
strangers come to our County seat as well as TO
other places in the County, they can 90 away with
the good news that we are a sober, peaceable, qu-
ct, Order-loving people2 Are not the drunken ca
rOusals and fendish brawls, that so fre1GenF take
place, upon public days, and at public gatherings.
too disgraceful any longer to blacken the name of
old Pocahontas2 How would the noble. hearted
heaihen heroine after whom our County was nam
ed, blush and hide her face, could she but stand
upon the corner OF of the streets Of our town Of
justice, and witness the hellish scenes so reteny
seen by us! Is there not chiyalry enough among
'he many good citizens of our County, to sustain
the Court, and heroism enough 10 wage unceasnI
fn-f 49,.