New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-03
Liquor and LegisIatien-Lesal ind Moral
Suasion.

ERIENILLE, MONDAY may ~.
To TIE Editor Of The Tribune:
SIR: Whether / have reasoned or written as
though l thought little brandy, &c. "an excellent
preventive of Cholera" leave for the intelligent
portion of your readers to decide.
Again, am not, as you hope, one Of those who
have returned to grog drinking nor can be driven
from my principles by the infatuaton of the Legal
Suasion multitude. There is not that man living
for whose opinions have greater Difference than
for yours but still, do not think you infallbe.
Moral suasion efforts have not been abandoned
in Erieve in equence of the antilicense posi-
ton Of the Excise Board, but mainly in conse-
quence of general resort to legal means.
The drift OF your philosophy appears 70 be that
by stringent measures the public mind is 10 be
prepared for stringent measures. You want some
thing to sustain, &c. II Moral Suason cannot
sustain ITSELF it is good for nothing. 1t certainly
has given mighty impetus to the Cause OF Tenn
perance.
Nv reason why the law should be used against
"dens Of Gambling and Sensual Infamy,' but not
used as temperance sceapon against grog shops,
will try to illustrate Suppose that In some one OF
cur villages, house Of illfame is established q
very few Of the most sensual, depraved and dis
reputable characters attempt 10 sustain it. But
the law is called in and the abomination promptly
rise up TO enforce the law. In the same village is
rum selling establishment, conducted in what is
| called a decent ray. Twothirds OF the community
pstronize it; most Of them we will suppose 10 be
moderate drinkers and perhaps respectable cIti-
zeps. The temperance portion OF that community
become impatient for the removal OF this nuisance
| so legislation is called for, and stringent meas
urss employed. We will suppose that by this
effort the traffic is temporarily, though perhaps but
partially. rest aimed. More ihanlhalf Of that CON-
nupity are now loud in their imprecations and
curses against the Temperance Cause. One fourth,
including part OF those pledged to total absti-
nence say but little, though now and then they ex
press themselves against the use Of compulsory
means. Now, is such a result favorable 10 the con
version ofthe rum-drinkers in that community We
may say thatofthe places finiquity IN question
the latter is the more pernicious In its Influences
but this does not touch the question OF expediency
II, in that community, debauchery and sensual in
fanny were as popular as the drinking usages WHY
of course the law would be as Intellectual in tn.
one case as in the other. AL diseases do no. ad
| init Of the same remedies.
The entire abolition Of the use Of Intoxicatin,
Liquors as a beverage may never be accomplish
ed. by any means whatever. But still the reform
is glorious one, and If properly conducted Wi
| immeasurably lessen the evils Of intemperance
both of the moderate and Of the immoderate kind
Il is to be feared that impotence for the speed
accomplishment of something which perhaps wi
never be universally attained, has driven many
the adoption Of legal means as q Temperate
weapon.
Keep the law and the Temperance cause di
rising generation would think less Of the Caus
in consequence Of the pretended regulation of Ii
traffic By the civil authorities. But make ii
Temperance Cause dependent upon the Law. g.
what sort Of In impression II Il calculated 10 ha,
! when the traffic Il kept up In spite Of tbs law