The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-09-28
E. HEADLEY.

have pledged myself, if elected, to support
the "Maine Liquor law" or its equivalent.
That the voters Of this representative
district may vote Understandings upon
this important question, deem it my duty
to set the matter right, in this public man.
ner. The reports false and without foun-
d~a,ion, and only intended to injure me
among the opponents of that law. and
place me on the same platform with the
Maine Law candidate. If this was not
the intention, and my views suited them
on that question, why did these men, com
posed of the tail-ends of all parties and
factions, hold a meeting for the purpose
of %denouncing me on account of my views
and declarations on the subject of the
Maine Law! No man on earth ever heard
me express an opinion in favor Of that law
or its equivalent.
If elected | expect 10 take an oath to
support the Constitution of the State of
Ohio. And that Constitution declares that
"no license to traffic in intoxicating liquors
shall hereafter be granted in this State"
The Maine Law provides for a license to
traffic; therefore the man who would pledge
himself 10 support such a law, would pledge
himself to violate the Constitution, as | un-
derstand it. A legislator should regard
his oath. What do we understand by an
equivalent to the Maine Law? 1t means
nothing more nor less than a law in Ohio
such as the Maine Law is. Can we get
its equivalent without the license clause!
Do away with the license clause and you
abolish ardent spirits entirely from the
State. Do the temperance men ask this?
| think they will not.
The Constitution Of Ohio says that the
General Assembly may provide by law
against the evils resulting from the sale
and use Of ardent spirits. The resolutions
Of the Democratic Convention. held in
Woodsfield on the 9Th Of the present month
for the purpose OF opening the poll books
of the popular vote cast in this represent
tative district, were TO the effect that '.an
efficient law is required to suppress evils
arising from the sale and use of intoxicat-
ing beverages" and that 1--WE will depre-
cate all attempts to defeat the passage Of
an efficient temperance law" To those
resolutions the candidates for Senator and
Representative were required to give their
~''assent or dissent" Dr.. Sinclair and
myself both assented. | am confden,
there is not a man in this district who will
for a m say that there is any Maine
Law pledge in those resolutions, mol can
any man say upon mature elaboration
that they embrace any thing not in &C.
cordance with the best interests OF society
A Mass Temperance meeting was held
in Woods6eld on the 18th of August. last
at which meeting they resolved that the
liquor question is "paramountto all others
at the coming election" and its movers
are avowedly in favor Of the passage o
the Maine Law, for they parade. in ouI
county newspaper, as standing matter
''that the end and object Of their organi
cation is to obtain as the law of the State
of Ohio, such legislation as will effectually
liquors as a beverage throughout the
State"
The same movers for this law held an
other meeting in Woods6eld, on the I'll
Of Sept, inst, pursuant TO resolution pas
sed at their mass meeting. and put in nom
~ination Mr.. THOMAS MITCHELL as the tenn
p%erance candidate for Representative un'
der their resolutions.
/ am at present and (as all who know
me are aware always have been opposed
to the "Maine Liquor Law" or its equiva
lent, and so stated to all with whom | con
versed on that subject before our late pop
lar vote convention. At the same time
am in favor Of temperance in all things
and in favor of salutary constitutions
laws to guard against the evils and abuse
arising from the sale Of intoxic ating liquors
But am opposed to the passage of a Law
which believe to be oppressive and agains
/ the true interests of reform.
My opinion upon this question vas wei
known before the convention, and as
= received the nomination with my senti
r ments well known, | wish it to be distinct
ly understood that my views upon this al
; absorbing question have not been changed
in the least. l cannot, at this time, un
dertake to give the details of such a law a
| would favor. My, limits in a newspape
article forbids it. 1t is generally believed
that a law will be passed at the next SEES
, sion of the Legislature upon the subjec
+ of temperance. Should l be elected, a
the Representative from this District,
shall hold myself at all times ready I
obey the will of my constituents IN a
questions that may be brought before tn