The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-21


obtained in Albany win not go very far towards rcvou
tionizing Hungary.
Veto Message OF Gov. Boutwell,, OF Massa-
chusotts, on tho Maine Liquor Law.
The following is the message Of Gov. Boutwell,, Of
Massachusetts,, his returning the Liquor bill to
the State Senate -
COUNCIL CHAMBER, May IL, 1862
To the President Of the Senate
SIR-A bill entitled :" An Act concerning the ma
nufacture and sale of spirituous Intoxicating Ii
quors," was laid before me on tho 14th inst. for my
revision. have duly considered the measure, and
now communicate to tho honorable Senate the OBJ
jections ] entertain to its passage. The will Of
organizations called government. Tho harmonious
and efficient action Of the government is based upon
the Of the moral, political, and physical
power of the neerle. II only ono or two Of these
powers exist Interference to particular law, its in
fucnce is proportionaby weak When our laws are
based upon the constitution and in harmony with
well settled principles of public policy. they need
no popular approval TO give them validity and pow
or They rest upon the admitted moral and poiti-
cal judgment Of the people, and may therefore CON-
mand the physical force of the State. In the pro-
gress Of events great and peculiar measures may be
proposed, whose value depends entirely upon the
popular Judgment; and under such circumstances it
ID undoubtedly WISE in the Legislature to seek an
expression Of public opinion. 1t is for this reason
that in some States certain grave questionsas tho
creation of public debt, for example-are by this
constitution submitted to the people. The moral
power Of statute is greatly increased by the
free and decisive appreciation of those who
are TO be subjected to its operation When,
therefore, in addition 10 the Importance
Of the subject legislatcd upon, the at con-
tains new principles Of legislation, is Of doubt
full expediency stronger exist for ascertain
ing the public will The measure before me is i'm
postan, and contains PRINCIPLES oflegslation or
is Of doubtful cxpedioncy, and | therefore concur
with the Legislature in the propriety Of its nbmis
sion 10 the people Mere political power and physi.
cal force are not sufficient to secure the perfect or
even resi- ectablc administration Of the law. Our
experience as State, and as member of the A ne
rican Union, furnishes sufficient evidence unon this
pon, All safe and wholesome legislation must
have moral pass IN the heart aud mind of the pco
pie More especially Is this when that logisla-
tion intcrcrcs with the principles, controls the ha
bits, regulates the morals, of men. Whenever, in
ro renee TO greet measures, IL il doubtful whsther
.,,nb basis exists, the question should be settled
bv ON a., 'ea! to tho people. Although could not
recomrorno the passage Of tho bill before me, the
lief md SUM- lent objection to The present measure
viii As ro;ut q, principle. think that Nil great
questions should be a. terminod by secret ballot
There is no domestic ~, asrion more important
han this The use Of The open ballot viii d.
vest the decision Of the people OF nj s'oral power
whatever. IL is not necessary 10 consider whether
, single man wcro or would be overawed or |
improperly influenced in his action. subse-
luent allegation that many men bad been thus |
or that the orcn ballot had been un.
favorable to full expression Of opinion, would !
deprive the verdict OF its moral strength. On tho
other hand, decision by secret ballot would be |
fatal II adverse to the law, its friends could not
olilsin. The decision would be conclusive that
the people not prepared for this mea sure, and
thus cave its advocates from the numerous labors
and contests which must finally, under such circun-
stances epd in their discontinue. Should the law
be decsively sustained by the secret ballot IL would
then possess moral as well political basis on
which TO have n fair trial A decision by open bal
lot may leave the law apon the statute books, but
necessarily shorn of its moral strength am fully
conscious that il cannot stand upon mere political
powor and physical force. Legislation deals with
men AS they are. The province Of law is TO render
certain and secure that which the moral Judgment
Of men has approved, and moral reformation has
required After n careful view Of the whole subject,
am brought TO this codcluson THAT n measure
Of this sort cannot rest safely and perina-
nently upon the mere action OF representative b0
dies Of men; that il must have the sanction OF the
pcolae: that that sanction must contain the moral
well as tho political power OF tho state; that de-
csion by open ballot would possess very littlo moral
forces and finally, that the secret ballot Furnishes
the only propcr means of ascertaining the public
Judgment, Two considerations have had great IN
1uence upon my mind know Of no government,
either dospotc orrepublican, which has permanently
succeededin limiting the use Of Intoxicating liquors,
except so far twas sustained b. the conscientious
opinions ard practice of majority Of the people.
aud fur,bcr:. ! cannot, by any process OF moral
reasoning. relieve myself Of the duty of resisting
the rassage Of q doubtful measure, under such cir
crmsianccs that. Ia the certain, Ultimate defeat
which awaits It, is 10 be ovorthrown the cause \.
was intended TO support Guided in my course.
and in the reasons have presented, by n sense of
duty to the Commonwealth, which has honored me
with its confidence, respectfully return The act
entitled "An Act concerning the manufacture ~
sale Of spirituous or Intoxicating liquors" to that
department Of the government in which Il origi-
mated. GEO. s. Boutwell,.