The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-19
Temperance Legislation.

There appears to be furore in many
OF the States for lcgislating against the
introduction or sale of Intoxicating LIQUORS.
The stringent law now in force in Maine
appears to have been so wholesome IN, 10,
operations, as to attyart. INC attention of
the friends of temperance in all the East
em States. An item yesterday in our pa
per informed us that one branch of the
Legislature of Rhode Island had rejected
the Maine law, which had been introduced
into that body; but we see it stated that
in the New York Legislature there are
ascertained majorities in both branches in
favor of even more stringent law. Peti-
tions urging the suppression of tippline
houses, signed by ll5,OOO persons, have
also been presented to the New York AS
sembly.
We also notice in the proceedings of
the louisiana Legislature that General
Martin has introduced into the Senate q
bill interdicting habitua drunkards. This
bill proposes to place habitual drunkards
in the same position, in regard to the man
agement of their property and their fami-
ly affairs, as that which the law assigns to
minors. They are to have curators, with
powers administration they are to be
incapable ofsuing or being suid in their
own names they could not be members
OF corporations, nor executors or admin
lstrators OF an estate. Such would be the
legal effects Of interdiction. We have not
seen the bill, and are not, therefore, able
to say whether this interdiction is extend
ed to political matters whether habitual
drunkards are deprived of the right of suf
frage, and Of holding offices of honor, trust.
or emolument. But we presume that, on
the same principle the drunkard is prohi-
ted from managing his own affairs. he
should also be excluded from the admin
istration of any public trust.
This attempt to make sober men out of
the habitual drunkards by legislation is
but another phase of Eastern fanaticism.
We are not surprised that the veteran f
temperance, Edward G. Delavan, of New
York, is opposed to such enactments.-
With h's large experience in this great
moral reform, we have no doubt that he
sees in these movements the greatest oh.
stacles to its general success. They will
arouse spirit Of opposition to the cause
that viii reverse IL wheels for YEAR 70
come, and which will occasion its suppor-
ters every where to be looked upon with
suspicion. Is it to be imagined that five
thousand drinking shops in the city of
New York, and perhaps as many more in
New Orleans, in addition to those in the
%her cities and towns of these States, will
oasmit to be deprived of their gains by le-
slS,a'an' 2 Theywill summon their hosts
u. - 'no .ellot-box, and at the elections
aiieie | % wouN not be temperance men en-
ouSh e'eeVeo . make the feeblest resist
anee to the large sort of license 10 tbnse
fountains of vice. CbocLs ond uaS,.a:,o a:.9o
against this vice may have an anel;nra ao
ting effect, but that strinaencv wb;cl, nav
be legitimately construed I.,o on 49, al,ou.o: my
sion on the rights of the con.orn;. .st,:n
not be quietly acquiesced in. f.o ;o"aa VII
of temperance are treading on dah.arnus
ground. Let them, instead Of enae:~
laws, strike at the root &
this fashionable vice, by laboring to cor
rect public sentiment with regard to it,
Public sentiment - the source of all law.
and until that condemns this vice. the at,
tempts to force men TO abandon IL will on
ly bring it fresh allies, and strengthen its
already too numerous hosts. = South
Corol;N;op..