American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-15

Liquor Uf1l.
To the Editors Of tie American TslsgropA.
GESTLKMEs: As the mover Of the bill which
has just been indefinitely postponed BY ma
jority Of one In the Board Of Common Council,
entitled San act supplementary 70 an act emit
tied AN act laying tax on shops, porter-cel-
lars and confectioneries, and increasing the tax
on ordinaries, retailers, and theatrical amuse-
ments,'" in view Of the interest which the SUBJ
ject seems to have elected in this community,
ask small space in your columns.
We're personally concerned, and my own pri-
yate character involved, you and your readers
would not be troubled by any word of mine. In
that respect know how to take care of my
self, without making a parade before those who
care nothing about the matter. But here we
have great public question: subject which
should interest every man, woman, and child
in the community. Who, and what may be the
character Of the mover of the bill, is point,
comparatively speaking, of but small import
ance. The merits and dement's Of the plan
alone concern the public; and with those, with
your kind leave, will briefly deal. And even
this intrusion on you and your readers would
not venture upon, were it not for the intrinsic
interest Of the subject. Let that plead my ex-
cuse.
Can we, or can we not by legislative enact
ment, control, regulate, and modify the use, or
rather the abuse, Of ardent spirits That is the
question, and to solve it my bill was addressed.
And here let me say, in advance, that respect
| an honest difference on this subject, and claim
no superior and more honorable ground than
those with whom have the misfortune to differ.
am not welded to my own particular scheme,
but frankly am willing to adopt any other, better
calculated to work out the desired end, which
any of my fellow members, or any citizen, may
choose to present.
may be allowed, however, with proper re-
spect to the opinions of others, and perfect
willingness to take anything better, to express
the decided and honest conviction that the bill,
as originally presented it, as compendium Of
my views, was and is the best suited, of any
plan so far presented, to bring cure to the
disease, and improve the moral and physical
| condition Of our people.
Our readers will see what that bill is by ref
erence to the proceedings of the Board Of Com
mon Council, as published in your columns. BY
that bill mean to stand or fall If it be good
and fitted to the end, then claim approval. If
bad, let the public visit me with their censure.
| am prepared for either, strong in the appro-
baton, allow me to say modestly and fear
lessly, of good motives and an approving con-
science. If have erred, it is an error of the
head, not Of the heart. If the evil admits not
| of cure, then, as q citizen, and one born in
| this District and identified with its interests,
| grieve and despair. But, thank God despair is
no word to be admitted in case like this. If
l fail no0, better and more able men will try
and succeed hereafter. In the march of reform
and improvement, progress is not by fits and
starts, but to be genuine and true, must be
steady though slow. 1t may be, gentlemen, that
| have mistaken my time and men. 1t may be
that expose myself to the nickname of " Fam
attic, and sin, by being in advance, as my OPP
ponents say, of public opinion.
Be it so, if they will. But cannot see the
fountains of vice and wickedness opened in our
community, without raising my feeble voice,
and recording my poor vote to check or prevent
the moral evil that so afflicts u.s. Well aware
of the peril and responsibility Of the crusade,
and that better and wiser men than myself have
failed, entered upon the enterprise with good
motives, q good end, and q firm resolve that
be the consequences what they may for me per-
sonally, the work shall 60 on as long as have
q hand to WELD pen, voice to plead the
cause, or vote to secure the triumph Of right.
In this, my effort to do good, have acted and
still act on my own responsibility. In its pur-
suit know neither fear nor favor. No Fanatic,
whether he be ultra, for or against finds any
friend in me. l seek neither to please nor dis
please. / act, and shall continue to act, under
strong sense Of duty; and, whilst respecting
the motives and arguments of those who differ
with me, hope ever to preserve that frmness
and hopefulness that heed not the temporary
local and interested difficulties which always
beset the road to right, but nerve US to appeal
from the heated partisan excitement of the
present to the cooler and truer verdict of the
future / shall ask another column in your
paper, not on my account, but for the goodness
and interest of my cause. shall then address
myself to the details of the bill and remain,
for the present, your obliged servant and fell
low-citizen, JOHN CARROLL BRENT.
WASHINGTON, August ID, 1851.
NATIONAL AGRfCuITURAL AND MrcHlNIcs