Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-04-14
For the Portage Sentinel.

DEAR SAM:-ln the front Of the remar ks
l wish TO make respecting the Liquor Law
about TO take effect in our State, ought to
state tha, have had for many years, and
now have, some interest in tavern property;
and am willing that what may say shall
be construed with full understanding OF
that fact; nor am | unwilling TO make
known any other matter in connection with
my interest in such tavern property, or re.
lating TO my position in the Temperance
cause, tha. may be supposed 10 have on in.
Auence upon the views ! entertain of this
law. wish further to soy that ! intend to
observe its provisions so far as they apply
10 my business; though | entertain no sort
Of respect for it.
What is the ultimate object intended 10
be remedied by our solons in the passage
Of this lawf Undoubtedly drinking.--
What class in community is it whose vicious
habits, and depraved appelites are sought 10
be corrected? The drinkers and yet not
one word, not even an insinuation, is con-
.ained in this law against them, or their
vices A buyer is gentleman and On orna.
ment to the Temperance reformation
But seller is high offender. indictable
before the grand jury Of the country
Would it not have been as easy to have
pronounced drinking land buying, an Of.
fence as selling? And would ii not have
been quite as bold in these legislative re.
formers to have done so? What harm
would have been done in going directly,
and strait forward at the evil sought to be
rebuked? Did these honorable gentleman
want TO drink themselves unlimitedly du.
ring the session, and on their way home,
and forever afterwards, without the fear of
the grand jury before their eyes, or the
stain Of criminality on their escutcheon,
shat they should thus legalize the act Of
buying and drinking and condemn this
act of selling!
Selling and buying is but one act, in
which two or more are concerned; and it is
a deplorable base and cowardly rule, which
says that the seller is the most guilty.
And so long as the temperance cause rests
upon such shrinking, despicable princi.
pie 1t will not flourish. 1t is subterfuge,
and pitiful one at that. /. is no wonder
that the general thirs, for 'spirituous
liquors is increasing. There is little said
or done 10 check it. oh! the rum seller,
the rum seller, he is responsible for all
for drinkers at Washington and Columbus;
in the gilded saloon, and in the cushioned
pulpit" Now, am not seeking 10 prove
his entire innocence in the matter; though
| know that the public taste demands that
liquors be kept extensively for sale, & sDi9
not be really contsnfed unless they can be
found plentIfully at every four corners. /
am not anxious, to screen him in the leas,
I ain however strongly opposed 10 punish
ing him by any unjust rule Of law OF NOR.
rality, and | am in favor ofapplying some
just rule of law that community will respect
and enforce against all concerned in
drinking or IN aiding and abstting
Others to drink.
Ii is every where boldly avowed that |
this Law will not be observed; and for the
reason iha, few drinkers will be found mean
enough to seek to mulck man whom they
really consider less 10 blame than them
selves. The Law violates every mans
common sense and is condemed at once by
almost every one who places himself in q
situation to become complainant, or wit.
ness in prosecution under il; and hence
il is that il becomes inefficient and contemp.
llble. A bold legislator, who has at heart
the sprevention Of the common use of spirit.
uous liquors among the people, would not
own such on abortion. And would be
ashamed to promulge such distinction be.
tween the buyer and seller as this law
makes. 1t is cowardly, because i, reaches
comparatively only q. few, and those TOO
not the most guilty. The many are left
alone, and, after all this legislation, remain
as pure and innocent as babes, and they
are us free TO buy, drink and use as ever.
IN quantities varying from dram 10
pun eheon. Verify, how liquor mus. 60 out
Of use, since this display Of legislative wis.
dom and moral courage and consistency
But have no more leisure OF present.
Yours,
VERGNIAUD.