Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-01-16

say the least, very singular production. The
article TO which refer appears to be No. ? on
the subject and judging from the style Of this
article and the words "to be continued which
follow 1t, we may reasonbly conclude that the
writer is faithfully engaged in his labor of love
But what that labor of love is, is not very clear
10 my apprehension, and fear not TO the appre-
henson ofmany Of the readers of the Democrat
In order odo the writer full justice, will give
the caption, the number, the address. and the first
paragraph, in the language of the Author.
"MAlsE LlQUoR Law"
| Mr.. EDITOR Il closed my opening number
last week by two inquiries: lst. is it crime in
morals to use sprituous drinks in all circum-
stances is it nahum in Sc And if this be
conceded or proved End is it crime of such a
nature according to the spirit and intent Of just
legislation as may be prevented or punished by
civil law p
would now call upon you Mr. Editor and
through you upon all your readers to give your
attention to the preceding quotation, and, if pos
sbIe, appreheud the meaning Of the Author.
BY "Maine Liquor Law understand that
law has been passed in the State of Maine in re-
lation TO the sale of liquors. BY mo. IL
understand that number one has preceded this
number. By "crne in morals" understand
something contrary TO right--somc great wick
odness. "To use : to employ TO or for any
purpose. "SpirituouS drinks interpreted by the
caption, and the closing sentence of this number
would mean any fluid containing spirits or al
coho; or ifinterpreted by the first sentence ofthe
third paragraph it would mean drinking anything
which would work injury to him who drinks it,
as prussc acid, nitric acid. lGudanum, oil of Bit
ter almonds; oil of tobacco, creosoto, alcohol or
any other fluid poison or, fluid containing poison.
The first Interpretation think would be the fair
est and the best. ain al circumstances" in all
states or conditons-in all states ofafIairs. The
same question is asked in a different form for
the purpose undoubtedly making it more easily
app,ehendod, sis it malum in Sc ?" "Malum
in Sc" is not English but Latin, hence English
readers of the most obtuse perception can read
! lily comprehend it. NAHUM in Sc means "a thing
evil in Itself We wilI substitute the definition
and then it viii read "is it thing evil in itself p
Never mind the supcrfluous a if we can under
stand the inquiry better by using "malum in Sc"
We come now to ascertain the meaning of the
second inquiry of the first paragraph Read it
again, and then leave OUT the adjuncts from c. inc
to as and We have the inquiry as it crime as
may be prevented by the civil law. Never mind
the grammatical inaccuracy of the inquiry bat
ascertainif yon can how any crime could be pun
shed by civil law or any other law.
In relation to legislation against drinking the
writer lays down in the second paragraph, these
principles. Isl. That the overt act must do a
mischief to the positive rights of others, and 2nd
that this mischief must be done to others against
| their viii, consent, or choice. The writer closes
this paragraph By saying Il think Of no oxcep-
tons in our present system oflegislation to these
! principles and will consider this matter more
in detail hereafter" Perhaps we are in duty
bound to wait for the consideration in detail
hereafter wouli like to inquire just now how
ever how i is in relation to licentiouaness, duel
| ling gambling, betting, aud even shooting game
during certain seasons Of the year.
The third paragraph commences thus: If
drinking in any and all circumstances is moral
offence this offence will consist of several c.,-
mcnts: /. Every act of drinking must work it,
| jory to him that drinks. .. He must know and
believe i'll am at a loss to understand what
is meant by 'd.inking in any and all circumston-
ccs'' and would be very happy to have an cxpla-
nat on. Again what kind Of injury must drink
ing work TO him who drnks-a moral, physical,
or mental injury? And can just legislation be
directed against moral offences which produce
moral injuries only?
In the fourth paragraph the writer argues
that a man cannot be restrained from drinking
spirituous liquors by law, because the act OF
drinking liquors does not make direct lnVa-
sion of the positive and invaluable rights Of any
other man. thought before reading this arti-
Gle that the object Of the 'Maine Liquor Law
was TO proven; the sale Of spirituops liquors as
beverage ard to provide for the punishment Of
those who sold in violation Of law and not 70 re-
strain any man directly from drinking and much
less from using them. But we will wait and sec
what the writer will bring forth in the next num-
Der.
In the fifth and last paragrap h the writer
says that ii is with drinking il is with the vices
of a vain, proud. covetous, selfish, or untruthful
member Of society; the direct evil begins and
ends in him who commits the wrong, himself
The resultant and secondary evils flow upon
others, and consequently according to his princ-
pies not amenable TO the criminal code. This
point he has taken for granted, for thus far he
has offered no argument or fact in support of it.
Bat we will wait for argument and facts till he
considers this matter more in detail hereafter"
This number is closed as follows: "If, then,
mans right as a citizen and member Of he social
compact to use spirituous liquors is clear and I'M
questionable, another mans right to sell them to
him is clear and unquestionab!e." Hare we
have the expression "to use spirituous liquors"
without any qualification as TO the kind of use
to be made of them I; is clear that man has
rirht To use liCuors for any purpose not iniuri.