Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-08-25
ADDRESS.


The subject which now engages the attention
toi our association, is the effort to abolish the
sale, and use as beverage, of all intoxicating
liquors, in the city of Hannibal.
We think it has been fully demonstrated,
that the use of intoxicating liquors, as bever-
age, benefits no man, but that il is the source
of incalculabe mischief and misery to our citi-
zens-a national calamity, and a curse to the
world.
We, therefore, feel it our duty to strive by
every lawful and proper means, TO free our city
from the destructive practice
Our own city--the present abode Of ourselves,
and the future home Of our children, constitutes
the peculiar theater Of our action.
Already, by refusing to license dram shops
and groceries, where liquor is sold by the glass,
our city authorities have done much TO mitigate
this evil.
Still, we find the practice Of dram-drnlng
and intoxication exists TO an alarming extent
kept up mainly, as we sincerely believe, by the
facilities afforded by the Rectifyng and Liquor
Selling Establishments of our city.
We therefore desire TO see those establish
ments closed-not in an illegal and disorderly
manner but in lawful and proper manner
not from any hatred we bear TO our felow-citi-
zens who conduot them but for the love and
duty we owe, 10 our unfortunate friends who
cannot, or will not resist the temptation thus
spread out before them by authority of the Law,
and for the regard we have for public order and
peace, as well as private virtue, prosperity and
happiness.
l am not advocating the enactment of "thc
Maine Liquor Law" or any general statutory
law upon the subject.
My remarks are intended to apply especially
to the city Of Hannibal, and to this time.
Our charler-the existing Law of the State
Of Missouri, declares that the City Council shall
have power, not only "to suppress tipping
houses and dram Shops" but "to prohibit the
sale of spirtuous liquors within the city," when
ever that measure "shall be deemed proper
See "Char.ers of the Town and City of Han
nibal,-Sec. and art. 9th of an act to amend
and reduce into one act, the several acts incor-
Poraing the City of Hannibal"
We deem it proper now, and we think ma
jori;y of the citizens of Hannibal so feel, and
we confidently hope they will express that feel
ing at the next election.
In proof that cur people are in favor Of this
measure, see petitions presented TO our City
Council, and TO our County Court, praying the
prohibition of the Liquor Trafic-signed by an
overwhelming majority of our citizens.
We wish the matter fully understood, and
fairly tested and if we find that majority OF
our fcllow-citizcns differ from us, we say let
their wishes govern, tin in fairness, friendship
and love, we can convince them of their error,
and carry our measure by maj GRITTY of Patriots
and Freemcn.
You who have known me for years, are aware
that have not participated in the exciting po-
litical contests that have agitatcd our country
nor is it my intention TO do SO now.
We wish it distinctly understood that this is not
a party measure but question of local inter
cst-having nothing to do with party politics
Our citizens voted, some time since, whether
the city should subscribe stock to the Hannibal
and St. Joseph Railroad, or not. We united
without regard to party, and both Democrats
and Wings voted for the measure.
And why did they do this answer, be-
cause they thought it would be for the interest
of Hannibal to have the Road.
Did any one dub that enterprise as a Demo-
cratic or Wing measure? No. And why =
Because we all knew it was measure common
to the citizens of Hannibal, both Wings and
Democrats-and peculiar TO neither party.
Again, many of you will remember that some
years since, the voters Of Hannibal (largely
Whig) buried their party politics for time
united upon and elected Col. r. F. Richmond,
staunch Democrat, TO the Legislature not be-
cause they appreciated his political principles
but local question was pending, which the
interests of Hannibal demanded should pass.
So far as the great parties Of Democratic and
Wing are concerned from my youth, have
been Democrat, and l expect 10 die a Demo
crat. Still, do not understand that the princi-
pies of Democracy require that every town and
Ineighborhood election shall be determined by
the complexion of national politics, which hap
pens 10 predominant in that particular location.
Particular circumstances may exist or local
questions arise, which may not only justify, but
absolutely require, all good citizens to disre-
gard the ordinary political combinations, for a
time, and to rally, as band of brothers, around
common measure, for the common good.
Such circumstances, in our opinion, now