Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-07-29
A PROHIBIToRY LIQUOR LAW.

1t strikes us that the action of the Lcgisla-
ture on the question of prohibitory liquor
law, was as sensible, proper, and favorable, as
could be asked-if the necessity of submit
ting such law or its principle to the people
is admitted. We see nothing whatever, in
definite in the proposition submitted to the
people. 1t is whether they will have a pro-
hibitory law on the subject of intoxicating
drinks, which means, we suppose, prohi-
ditory law and nothing else. The details of
such law must necessarily conform to the
object sought, and as long as the object sought
is secured, no person will feel any further in
terest in the details than to know they are in
harmony with our own constitution and that
of the general government. Why, then, is
not the action of the Legislature just as well
as if had submitted a law in its details? In
deed, is it not better? Will'not larger vote
be had on the simple question of "prohi5i-
bttion," than if we had details liable to be
misunderstood, and certain to be misconstru-
ed to wrange over? Let the people express
themselves emphatically in favor of 'prohbi-
ton and the trouble is at an end. A law
, wW be enacted to give that expression full
force
1t Is said, too, we perceive, that the law of
submission is a matter of small importance,
rs whichever way the vote may be determin-
ed, the Legislature will be at liberty thereafter
to do as it pleases on the subject. SO it will;
and so it was after the people voted on the
simple question of Bank or no Bank but
did any person for moment suppose the
Legislature would neglect or violate the will
of the people then expressed. 1t was never
dreamed of, either in or out of the Legislature;
on the contrary the Legislature-both houses
were Jealous to do the peoples will on the
subject, and this, where very probably, in one
house at least, majority We're personally hos
tile to the measure.
1t is also said that it is not to the vote on
this law but to our members to be elected
that we must look to decision of the cues
tion-thus making our vote on the law
matter of small account. Our opinion is, and
we think it will be assented to generally, that
elect whom we please to the Legislature,-
be they ever so friendly to the law, if the vote
be against it, it will not be enacted; whilst
on the other hand, if the vote be in its favor.
it will be enacted, whoever may compose the
Legislature. The law is before the people
for the express purpose of getting at their
sentiments, and it is folly, in our way of think
ing, to suppose when expressed, that sent-
ment will have no weight. The Legislature
is generally composed of men, who, on ques-
tons of general nature, are quite ready to
be governed by the will of the people if they
know what it is, caring little themselves how
such measures are determined.
We wish our members of the Legislature
might be chosen with reference to practical
measures of this nature instead of the abstract
questions upon which they are chosen. Mem
bers at Madison have very little to do with
Democracy Whiggery or Free Soil, but they
have much to do with such measures as this.
and therefore we wish they might be chosen
with reference to them. But they will not
be, and hence the necessity of this very law.
About nine men out Of ten, who profess to be
warm friends Of Temperance, think more of
their democracy, and Whiggery, and Free
Soil, than they do of their Maine Law, and
they will go for men lecause of their po-
lltlcal character, making Temperance a secon-
Diary question. For this reason, then, the
character of members elected cannot and will
not De test of the popular sentiment on this
question: and to get a Maine Law by such a
process we should have to wait until the pub
lie mind became so thoroughly indoctrinated
and so unanimous that there would be no
longer any question. This law, then, while
men are consulting their political prejudiccs,
enables them alSo TO express themselves on
this temperance question-to convey to their
representative elect instructions clear and ur-
mlstakeable on question not embraced in
theplatform on which he was running. Then
our vote on the law is not unimportant, but
in the highest degree important; and if it be
conceded necessary to submit to the people
before it becomes law, any act which might
be passed of prohibition, this move of the Ie-
gislature is not child's play, but wise and po-
lite.
And we urge upon our readers who desire
to prohibit the manufacture and sale of in
toxicating drinks in our State, not to neglect
this law. We honestly believe if the vote of
the people is nay on the proposition now
before them, it will be wears before tho Ground