Daily American telegraph., 1852-03-27

At q convention OF the friends of temperance
of Washington city, held at Temperance Hall, ON
the 5th February, 1852, and several subsequent
days, (and yet holding occasional sessions for
the purpose of promoting the temperance reform,
and procuring, early as practicable, the entire
prohibition of the traffic in intoxicating liquors,
the following resolutions have been adopted, viz:
/. ResotUed, That, however important may have
been the results Of the long and arduous labors
of the friends of temperance in Washington city,
the evil effects of the traffic in intoxicating liquors
are still glaringly apparent amongst us, and have
successfully resisted the moral power of the COM
munity, as hitherto directed 1000
2. ResoLped, That we consider the existing law,
and all previous laws of our Corporation, on this
subject, to be founded upon radically false prin-
cple-namely, that the traffic in Intoxicating
drinks is public good needing only to be regx-
latcd, and not regard it, public euil, which
should be suppressed and prohibited; that, in our
opinion, intoxicating drinks are in themselves
evil, dangerous and deadly, the prevention of the
sale Of which would be an immense gain to all
the interests of society; and that, in this view,
we know of no law which is based upon the true
principle except that recently enacted by the le-
gislaturc of Maine
3. ReSol0cd, That the Maine law not merely
in its general principles, but also in the details
of its provisons-in the simplicity of its appli-
cation, the promptness and certainty of its pen
alties the removal of discretionary power from
magistratcs-all indicate that it must be, what
actual experience is proving that it is, the only
efficient means of preventing the great and in
calculable evils Of intemperance.
t. Rcsol0e0, That in view of these facts we
earnestly recommend to the friends Of temper
ance in the city of Washington to begin an imme
diatc and vigorous agitation for the enactment of
u law similar in its provisions to the Maine law.
). ReSotped, That in view of the possibility
that the charter of this city may not in its pre-
sent provisions empower the Corporation to pro-
libit the sale of Intoxicating liquors, a committee
be appointed by the convention, whose duty it
shall be to prepare and circulate for signatures
memorial to Congress- asking that such power
may be fully and clearly conferred upon the Cor
poration by amendment of the charter, and to
present said memorial to Congress, and urge the
passage of the desired amendment.
i. ResolpeG, That whilst we shall avail our
selves of all honorable means of securing the
success of the principles declared by this conven-
ton, We distinctly discaim any design of inter-
fering with existing party organizations but that
we earnestly recommend to all temperance men
to exert themselves for the nomination and cleo
ton to all municipal offices of men who will justly
represent the views Of the people of Washington
on this subject.
I. Resolved, That this convention recommend
to the various temperance organizations OF the
city forthwith to obtain pledges of their members
to cast their votes at all municipal elections for
such candidates as shall be most favorable to the
abolition of the license system and the prohibition
of the sale of liquors,
! 8. RESOLVED, That a committee be appointed to
address the reverend clergy of the city, and solicit
their cooperation with the objects of this conven-
ton, by such discussion in their pulpits at some
early day, of the evils and remedies above indi-
Gated, as to them shall seem best adapted to at
tain the desired end
g. ResoIced, That committee be appointed to
examine at the office of the City Register the list
of petitions for licenses for taverns and tippling
houses, and to report the names to this conyen-
ton ULYSSES WARD, President.
/ GEO w. PLEAsANTs, Secretary.