Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-08-22

tons of the writer. Our own views. IN regard
TO temperance reform and the application OF
the Marie Liquor Law in Virginio, are fixed
and decided-and they will be freely express
ed whenever we conceive an occasion prop
erly requiring ii shall have arisen
The Maine Law is Virginia.
Mr.. Editor:
The effort to procurca legislative prohibition
Of the liquor traffic CLOVIS In energy every
day, and the snljecr is fasl becoming OF imm
nen importance. The advocates of This scheme
are working constantly and wlhou, WEAKNESS
They use some powerful weapons, against
which it is difficult aud dangerous to contend
They point To evils, against which our leglsa-
ture has provided by severe penalties. bur
which are uohlrg in comparison to the evil u
lntemp 'rnnce. They reproach the govern
men, with ''straining at gnats and swallowing
cameIs.' They point to the thousands who arc
annually ruined in body. estate, reputation
and happiness by this wide spread propensity
for strong drink, and ask US, is il right to pun
lsh those who sell UNIV holesomo meat, or OBJ.
scene books and prois. or lottery tickets, OF
who habnnally carry Concealed weapons, or
lend their money al usury when we allow the
4
their work Of ~ctchcdncss and crime, without
one rebukc from the judicial tribunals of ~.
land Not only do they use and dexrerc5ls.
y use these weapons, with which it is hare l.
contend. but they use-perhaps without design
the still more dangerous weupon of organ.
tSed pubttc opinion. They dcnounce all VINO
do NOT agree with them in all lhInes, as foes 10
the lovely virtue of temperance, and friends of
l. tial,u 4.
rum and degradation OF helpless victims. This
proscriprive and liberal spirit has DOUBTLESS
awed many into sllencc--it ceItainl, mas ex,r
c'sed It's influence Oh the public press. Oar
Journals. some few years ago were bold 10
class the Name Law with the senseless anu
fanatic isms ofextreme Yanheedom, but now.
when the question rowspracticnl and mpend
ing they shrink from lis fearless discussion lest
they should be made the victims of that rub
lie opinion which il is their duty to guide and
esraln. Shame on such timdity Let III.
press come Out and shake of the lramtnels of a
met at once met with all its force, and If il has
the virtues of right aud truth. why then no one
wall regre 1T triumph
Let II be understood in the first place. that
we are no friends of intemperance--no foes 10
that good cause which seeks the reclamation
ot drankards. To it We bid, God Speed But
we are foe 10 any cause which seeks TO per
vert government from its true end, and which
could involve It's aid iii the prosecution of a
moral reform
The argument which anti-liquor advocates
draw from our legislation against lotteries
gambling, selling obscene books and prints.
lending money at usurious interest, and selling
impure meats, is by no means conclusive. ri
an argument which may work TWO WAYS: for
1t may be- that all such legislation was wrong
or nn"ise, and that TO go farther would be to
accumulate laws We hold IT that some men
hose love of life and health and happiness il
too weak TO restrain them from indnlgenc $ at
war with the integrity Of these blessings, ought
to suffer The consequences. When govern
'n'nt stoops from its digri6cd sphere and seeks
TO prescribe what its citizens shall eat and drink.
1t ceases to be blessing, and imposes burden
whichlt had no proper right TO impose Ii is a
false notion OF governmental philanthropy
which seeks to prevent individuals from suffer
ing the Consequences of their crimes ard fnles.
liza man is improvdent or lazy let him want.
II he Twill not work, neither shall he it.
IL he be needless and rash, let his nose be bro
Ken II he choose TO eat unwholesome food or
to drink destructive drinks, let him eat and
drink 10 his full. Ii is right that indisi9uaZs
should practice charity and use all their inAu.
ence 10 turn the vic <ed from his wickedness
out surely this is no part of the object for
winch government was established. Il is he
PRIME duty Ola Stale to protect each indvidn
al against The others. and it is no part OF its
dutyto protect the individual against himself
;, against his own stupidity, idleness, improvi
dence, rashness or love of destructive pleas
ures.-hs incapscity to do something thai
ought to be done,or propensity To do that which