The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-26

place, that the author does not live here
The editor Of the Gazette says he "ten.
ders his acknowledgements to the author,
through the editor Of the Spirit of Demo.
cracy." WHAT'S meant by this expression
we confess we do not know. We trusI
the editor Of the Gazette has not so con
temptible an opinion Of US as to believe
we wrote the letter published in his paper
For the Spirit Of Democracy.
THE DUTY OF TEMPERANCE MEN.
Mr.. EDIroR:-l ask not, at present, a
space in your paper to advocate the claims
Of the cause of temperance, nor to deplore
the evils Of intemperance; bot simply to
suggest to temperance men, that now is the
time to be awake. OF the state OF public
opinion, in Ohio, touching the "question
Of license" there can be no longer doubt.
The decisive vote Of our good citizens,
on the 18th Of last June, settled that matter.
II did more. 1t indicated to the Legisla.
ture, to meet in Columbus, the first of next
January, that it is the desire of this Com
monwealth, that laws be enacted 10 punish
any, who may be reckless enough to traf-
fc in intoxicating drinks. as a beverage.
Now that a powerful effort will be made,
by the friends OF intemperance. to prevent
any Legislation upon this subject, there can
be no doubt. 1t will be argued, that this
traffic should be left free from legislative
trammels; and that in this, as well as in
other business transactions, men should
have the right of "private OPINION and
the privilege Of consulting private interests.
Should such defamation avail, then fare.
we'll to the cause of temperance, and the
hopes Of its friends. But it need MOTT
must not be so. Temperance men ought
TO say, it SHALL not be SO.
1t is to be hoped that a majority of those
composing the next Legislature, in both
branches, are stern temperance men. If
so, they will surely feel it a privilege, as
we'll as an imperitive duty, to bind the
"Old King" with shackles he cannot pos
sibly shake off. True to their principles,
they will, no doubt, Brutus like, stab this
scourge of nations to the very heart. God
grant it may be so! In no other way can
they show themselves worthy Of the trust
reposed in them. Their constituents, in
mass, have put the constitutional authority
in their hands, and bid them do it.
But should the voters Of any county or
district have been so unfortunate, at this
critical period, as to elect a friend of in
temperance, as their representative, it will
be their duty, as temperance men, 10 in.
struct him well how TO vote.
There will probably be not a dozen
members, in both branches Of the Legisla-
ture. a majority Of whose constituents are
not the warm friends Of temperance. and
who did not vote for the temperance
clause" in the new Constitution.
Let ii not be said then. that there is dan.
ger of legislating in advance of public
opinion on this subject. The very reverse
is the case. For years, public opinion
has been ripe, for more prompt and eff
cient legislation. Blessed with this, even
in Ohio, hundreds would have been saved
from a drunkard's grave, and a drunkard's
hell. But forgetting the mournful past, let
us all do our duty, as temperance men, at
the present, and we shall have the legisla-
ton we so much desire.
We may be safe in leaving to the wis
dom Of our representatives, to determine
the nature of the laws that should be en-.
acted-but. may we not modestly suggest,
that they oughtto be searching and SEVERE!
Searching, to ferret out every dark "sink
Of iniquity," and detect every individual
engaged directly or indirectly, in the ga.
bominable traffic." severe, TO make him
feel, and forever after desist the practice.
Let us then be I'D and ADMINISTRATIVE