The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-21
Gov. Seymour true to his Instincts.

Gov. Seymour true to his Instincts.
THIS Connecticut Governor, who had
not the manliuess to say before his cleo
lion, whether he was in lavor Of, or op-
posed to the passage Of the Maine Law,
now that he is securely inhis seat, shows
his hand, No body is dissppointes in the
position he takes-he was elected by
rum but for the influences emanalhig
from the pulluted grogshops of,he Gland
Of steady habits" he could not have at
tanned his present position.
In his message he insults the intelli-
gence and common sense Of the Legisla.
ture by uttering the following twaddle:
The late agitation of the public mind
in regard 10 a great moral reform, which
it has been proposed to advance by the
into our code OF law of
great severity, makes it proper for me TO
consider it in this place.
Without presumimg to question the
motives OF those who would press it upon
us here, | desire to say that regard il as
entirely wrong in all its leading proyi'
sions.
III isclearly enough reversal Of those
correct principles which enter into the
framework OF our laws, whereby-whilsi
asserting what j right and condempll
what Is wrongs protection Is attne sAliIe
time afforded against anything like mlus-
tice or oppression of the citizen. | say
nothing in this place of the danger to be
apprehended from the undue exercise OF
that vast power in Legislation which can
make acts not guilty in design or deed,
criminal by single stroke OF Legislative
authority.
" leave the question involved in such
a proposition to the calm consideration OF
these of you with whom thes law must
But what construction shall
be put upon law, or the plan of a law,
which begins with genera! prescription
OF class OF citizens, unconscious OF hav-
ing committed any deed worthy of bonds
or Imprisonment, and goes on to sweep
away from around them all those barriers
against injustice, which are left undls-
lurbed in the case Of proceedings against
those who stand charged with the highest
Ol crimes.
"Without consuming your time by
entering into any analysis of an act OF
such a character, | ask you to consider
whether the draft Of a law which allows
unreasonable searches--which permits
the seizure and destruction of property,
and IN some cases without warTant,-
which arraigns person tor an alleged
crime, and IRON the first moment OF his
arrest throws obstacles in the way OF a
trial and efforts to obtain an acquitld,-
and which, without removing the brand
of iniamy from hts shoulders, still follows
him to where the worst oil culprlts may
90 without let or hindrance for an impair
tial hearing, aud sets price on the trial
by iury-whether such law is deserving
OF place under the shield of our admir-
able Bill OF Rights, and beneath Il e ample
protection of a Constitution which thus
lar has sheltered the eiiizen Witiaeut los
teriug the vices which are inl1erehtio the
social system"
1t may be clear enough to his ercetiency's
mind that law which interdicts the trade
of death, is " a rever. al of those correct
principles which enter into the frame
work Of our laws-whereby, whilst as
serting what is right and condemning
what is wrong-protection is afforded
against anything like injustice or opPres-
sion to the citizen" The wrong OF liquor
selling and the right of government to
prohibit WrOng, are propositions too clear
for argument, and no man who tramples
upon the least interests of society, can
say that any law is unjust or oppressive
which requires him 10 desist. The liquor
sellers, he says, are a class of citizens
"unconscious of having committed any
deed worthy of bonds or imprisonment
That proposition is as false as the mar
who uttered it. There is not in the State
of Connecticut a rumseller who does nO
know that heis guilty ofinjustice, oppres
sion, fraud and viIIainy which should con-
denim him to bonds and Imprisonment
"The Constitution thus far has sheltered
the citizen without fostering the vices
which are inherent in our social systct7."
Another lie The legislature of Con.
necticut, under that Constitution, has
L" tostered the Uices," and sheltered nobody
but the scoundrels who pander to those
vices. The great body Of the people
have had no protection or shelter, the
cruel rumseIer who has robbed every
family in the State Of property, cha acter,
reputation and life, nave found shelter
and protection under the ggis of the law
and Governor Seymour thinks this is all
right. TO those vices, which he thinks
Finherent" in society he owes his cleo
ton, hence he is their apoIogist. Shame
on you, people of Connecticut, for elevat
vating such man to high office.
empeTance in Seneca County.
XUpak VnoJa 9tuo 4