Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-03-21

A. few days since il was said by one .oi
our nblest Judges, that the misguided ex-
ercise Of the discretionary power placed ia
the hands Of Town-councils, had been the
prime cause of many indictments. upon
which the Juries had refused to find yer-
dict Of guilty, regardless Of the proof.
Would il not be wise in The Legislature
10 lake this power from the hands Of men
who thus prostitute il. from considerations
of either personal or pecuniary interest,
and put it in some certain and positive
shape, so that the calculations of each citi-
zen may be founded upon som surely Of
their ultimate realization under the protec-
lion of The law? If this be true Of all
men, no matter how plausible their pre-
texts, is il not much more true Of those
whose objec, is simply 10 change the sort
Of immortality that is 10 prevail, and
whose means to effect this object are iiiib-
eral, partial and collusiue? Men whose prin.
ciples are absolutely un,enable, whether
tried by the revealed law Of God or the
fairest inductions Of reason. Where is this
intermeddling principle 10 be stopped, il
once fully introduced.
II is the ,yranica and exploded principle
OF Christian II OF Denmark, who by a
heavy penalty, prescribed show the street
and entry of houses ought to be swept, and
how benches and tables 10 the houses were
to be secured" Ii is said by learned
author, that "during the latter part of the
last century and the beginning of the pres.
ent. the more active governments on the
continent Of Europe, carried The intermed
ding principle 10 such an extent that no
affair, evor so private seemed to be con-
sidered as not belonging to police inspec.
lions 1T has been found ho,sever euen
uhers the people did mol insist Upon the
contrary that this course leads to most
calamiious and useless results.'' The ar
gument here is all appeal to Government
against its interference, 10 behalf fof body
Of pretending moral reformers, Is it not
reasonable and just that government, (the
people, should be Informed Of the nature
and extent Of the reformation contempla-
ted. and of The character, conduct, and
principles, Of its.advocales7 Interference
on the part Of the State in their behalf,
would be exceedingly undigni6ed and hu.
mila,ing for their contemplated relorma-
lion, is n principle most extraordinary
and violen. anomaly in our system Of
morals, totally unworthy Of our age and
country. Let us illustrate by hypothesis
My neighbour is addicted to fornication
and adultery. By it be expeuds his for
tune; contracts disease: entoils the same
upon his children; defiiles his soul and
body, by this most common of all sins,
which is truly described as being "the way
to hell. going down 10 The chambers OF
DEATH" Solomon.
But il the sins aRa diseases If lewd.
8seesssy 8seesssy asg equal in virulence to those OF
drunkenness, and equally prevalent. as
we'll as deleterious as respects society,
equally prostituting 10 the fortunes, the
health. and the morals Of the community,
Why should not this moral.reform Tor my
neighbour aforesaid, who represents it) (or
the sake of society, embrace lewdness
within lis prohibitions? The: proof now
resolves itself 10 this; !. e. those mora
1 Reformera4dan NOT truly denreca,e the end
a, .,,,. - ~,