Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-03-07
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CODVlCtrure urJ, '..s-s~sT Ivr-uHJu Juo'
and unreasonable in The abstract, or how
i'll adapted TO The nature Of men, and the
circumstances Of society.
Ilis needless to say that these reflections,
have been suggested by The change in tho
conduct, spirit, and the principles of the
Temperance Reformers, and by the un-
christian and oppressive procedures on
their part which result lherelrom. Herlo.
fore their motto has been "moral suasion."
In their speeches and resolutions, they
have again and again, with much compla.
cency published this as their only means
of promoting their great moral reform.
In fact they have resolved solelnnly, that
This was the only Legitimate means under
our laws, and the only one in accordance
with The christian religion, and authorized
by its righteous founder.
But. now how changed They ask for
the aid OF the Legislature, whilst many OF
them are so impatient amidst their fanali.
cism, as to anticipate The support of the
law. Man is naturally inclined 10 dog
maize rules for the government of his
fellow man. Ofcourse, therefore, the one
governed, is as much clIaled and enraged,
as the one governing is elatcd, and pre-
sumptous. This is The foundation Of lha,
principle in elementary law, The right to
resist "forco by force" trust that am
too well acquainted with Tho history and
nature of men, TO suppose that any arsu-
mont which | may adducc, will alter The
predetermined resolution, OF any member
of tho Town Council of EdselieId, who
nay be bent upon catering 10 The wishes
of his relatives or connections, regardless
of an equal consideration Of the incrcs,
and feelings, Of that class Of citizens who
stand opposed to his stringent notions 81
1tmperance-but of whose said interest
and feelings, he has been constituted equal
ly the representative. The argument will
be entertained by those Of cur fellow .ci,i-
zens, religious as we'll as irrelisious, whose
conservative views, sooner or latcv, will
rescue from unjust domination, those rights
and interests, which otherwise, would be
crashed in the whirlng eddy Of spccula.
tive philosophy, for which there is no au-
Moriiy in the lars Of God aud no jusLif-
cation in the experience o four country.
In fact, wherever tho experiment has
been made, 10 apply the law, in order to
suppress The use Of wines and liquors, the
cause Of Temperance has wancd before
the opposition thereby excited. If there
fore, the disposition TO dictate and rule,
was duly supplanled by willingness. to
use The best means TO affect good end,-
the experience Of olher, Districts, would
teach lesson of moderation at least; in
place ofthe reckless spirit, TO experiment
at Ile sacriiceof others. The indirect appli.
cation ofthe law, 10 destroy The use OF wines
and liquors by cutting off the supply is in di>
rect opposition to the settled principle OF
political economy, that "the supply is reg
ula,ed by The demand" Assuming the
converse of this axiom. TO bo true, the
Temperance party expect TO regulate the
demand or use by controlling the supply.
The spirit of this principle is as much
a violation Of moral philosophy, as the
principle itself, is of political economy,