The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-05-08

and so prosecuted, is now threatened
with subversion of its vital principles
decay, paralysis in the young man.
hood Of its strength. The engine of
the law is about being called in, TO ac-
celerate its progress. Legislative en-
actments are sought to enforce its
moral teachings Municipal authority
is about being invoked as auxiliary to
its wholesome restraints; and | here
humbly, but firmly, warn you to beware
of all such allies. A victory under the
banners of such coalition would be
more detrimental 10 the true interests
of the Order than a defeat under our
own. No disaster could be more Gala
mitous than conquest thus achieved,
for in the day of triumph the doom of
the Order would be sealed. History is
fruitful in admonitions against coali-
tions formed and held together by the
sole consideration of common interest
in the accomplishment of a particular
representations blindly formed and
prosecuted without caring, or making
provision for the incidents which such
unnatural combinations inevitably pro-
duce Analogy is rich in Illustration
and argument = reflection, common
sense, decent respect for the impre-
scriptible social rights of individuals,
all cry aloud against this proposed
marriage of law and moral suasion to
suppress the use of Intoxicating drinks.
The junction is unnatural. The bloom
and beauty and virgin dreams of a
young girl allied to the dwelling re-
collections amt palsied frame of an old
man is not more revolving. The prin-
cipies upon which they act are adverse
and irreconcilable. The spirit of love
breathes through your Order, wooing
the willing votary; force is the para
mount principle Of the law. The one
persuades, the other coerces, and any
attempt to blend the two will curse
them both with sterility torall purposes
except to disorder the body of society
wherein the unhallowed union is con-
summated.
So far, yonr progress has been one of
a steady, consistent, honorable warfare.
conducted upon high moral principles,
wherein the social and political rights
of every man in the community were
respected In combating the evils of
and undermining the
trade of the rum-seller, yonr efforts
have been crowned with many peace
fnI triumphs-tlinmphs which the good
and virtuous priced every rywhere-every-
where approved, and fastened on with
their wishes and their prayers; but
once step out from the legitimate sphere
of your acknowledged principles and
duties, and at the ballot box, by mere
force, say that men shall be
temperate-shall be legislated into
subjugatiou of their depraved appe,ites
drilled into a morality repellant to
their sense of manly independence-in
a word, shut up by force of law all es-
tablishments where liquor is sold, and
you will not only array against you the
angry passions of those who will not be
benefited by the most stringent tenn
perance regulations, but also excite the
just prejudices. aud jealous fears Of
many who are in no manner addicted
to the excesses which you seek to cure.
Men are Justly jealous of all associa-
tions that grasp at political power
1t is barely possible that yon might
achieve one victory at the ballot-box-
put in operation the law by which
every drinking establishment in the
parish would be closed-but the tide of
public opinion to which your violence
would have given form and volume.
though beaten back for awhile, with
collected strength would return and
not only break down the barriers that
you had made in the territory which
should have remained neutral, but even
attract 10 itself waits from the acknowl-
edged dominions of your Order. This
victory would be the work of majority
influenced by varied feelings and sem
timents, some having virtuous and some
selfish ends TO subserve; and majorities
are always fuctuating, even where
great principles are at issue, and must
always remain so while man retains
freedom of thought and action, or in
deed preserves any show of freedom.
The movement is i'll advised. i'll
judged and ill-timed. The sun has
several cycles TO run before the Mil
lenium begins. and we are not the
to lead its advanced guard.
The movement has fanaticism in it,
and as its life is feverish, so the fruits
must be unsubstantial. Fanaticism
may destroy. but it builds no monu-