The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-03-31

drinker, by closing these hot-beds of
vice and crime, thus rendering IL i'm
possible that the ranks Of drunkenness
shall ever again be filed from them. A
law more equitable in its operation, or
salutary in its results, was never enacted
by any legislative body. Its conformity
to constitutional principles, no eminent
jurist ventures to question, however, be
may be swayed by self-intercst, or biased
by appetite.
Its effect upon the industrial, the
moral, and the spiritual interests of COM
munity, are the full proportioned oppo-
sites Of those which are the legitimate
results7o of dram-selling. As if to dissi-
pate the last remaining doubt which
might linger in any mind in regard to
the utility Of prohibitory legislation on
this subject, God in his Providence
has stirred up the hearts Of the lovers of
humanity in other and migbtier of oursis-
ter States, to 60 before us in this matter,
and furnish such daily proofs of its
woodworking power that it should not
be regarded by us in the light of an ex-
pertinent. But we need not now go
abroad for these evidences. During the
brief period in which the former law was
enforced in the State, scores of homes,
which had been desolated and cursed by
drunkenness, whence everything which
could render that sacred place the de-
light Of the heart, had long since been
banished by intcmperance, were again,
as by the power of magic, rendered
{ comfortable, peaceful and joyous, the
= sanctuary of all that is lovely in the
social and domestic nature of man
Crime, paupcrism, and numberlcss and
name less evils, began to retire as if bid.
den by the Almighty to forsakc the list
Of human WI ongs and human ills.
But what change came over these
o fair prospects, as soon as the law was
declared unconstitutional The strong
: tide of death, which had well nigh ebbee
away under the benign influence of pro
}. hibitory law, again rolled back its darl
n waters, sweeping away thousands o
1t cherished hopes, and shrouding man,
Il hearts in unutterable anguish. Shall thi
work of devastation GO on Shall tn
r thousands Of wives, sisters and mothers
# whose eyes have so long been turned t.
It our Legislature in trembling hope, am
}, whose hearts have been crying t
o Almighty God for the protection of thci
e husbands, brothers, and sons, shall the
: be disappointed, and their hopes dashe
c to the earth by the repeal of this law
is Shall the scores Of unfortunate vic
1t tins of debased and controlling appe
e titc, who are standing on the thin edg
N of ruin itself, and looking to the faithfi
le execution of this law, as their onl
lie earthly salvation, be thrust back int
e. death by its repeal' Let every ma
IN entrusted with the high responsibiliti
ps of freeman, say NO!
. If there are any who can so f;
NJ desert the standard of right, and 4,
., effectually ignore every sentiment
ol obligation to God and man as to vo
'a' for its repeal, let them enjoy the refe
te tions which may arise from the consci5u
ia ness of having trampled upon the dea
'ar est interests of the State, and reckless
&c disregarded the most sacred claims ir
na posed on them by humanity and God.
Co A. B. b.