The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-09-08

anything we have seen Tor some time Oh tnae
subject, either pro or con. We commend 1t
to the attention of all enemies, as we'll as
friends, of the "Traffic." We cheerfully
give it place, as we believe in the plan of
hearing both sides before we decide; and as
we have for a long time been warning
against the business we are happy to see
defence of this kind-emphatically de-
fence with vengeance" We trust we
shall hear from friend "B." again.-EDs.
ECHO.
A Defence Of the Rum Trafic.I
To the Editors of the Literary Echo -
I have often wondered that while the
evils of the Rum Traffic are so frequent
ly exhibited, and Gin the estimation of
the dealers) greatly magnifed, that no
one has spoken or written of the benefits
of the traffic. [ know that editors,
lawyers and Legislators arc not wanting
who advocate the rumsellers' cause on
the ground of constitutional rights but
neither editors, lawyers nor legislators
have attempted to show the real benefits
derived from the trade by many rery
respectable citizens. Probably [ am not
acquainted with all the good resulting
from the manufacture and sale of alco-
holic drinks, yet l am certain that to
represent the rum traffic as productive
of evil only is erroneous ; and sense
of justice to the much abused rum max
er and rum seller inclines me to en-
deavor to set them right before the
public.
First, the distillers are greatly bene-
fitted. In many instances they have
families dependant on their business for
support, and the profits of hisbusiness
enables them to sustain and educate
their families in manner becoming the
enlightened age in which we live. By
this business they gain wealth also, the
possession of which always secures re-
spectability and honor.
The wholesale liquor dealer derives a
princely support from this lucrative
business. 1t enables him to secure the
most healthy and delightful location for
his family mansion, and to unite in its
location, structure and adornment all
that is gratifying to a refined taste and
conducive to health and comfort. 1t en-
ables him to train his family in all the
elegancies of fashionable life and secures
their admission to the highest circles Of
wealth and refinement.
The retailers also, derive support
and often wealth from the business
while many honest and laborious occu
pations afford only scanty support, anc
many commodities pay but small al
vance and are liable to depreciate il
value from age or change of fashion
The retail rum trade is not laborious
business, yet affords a most inviting pei
centage-the article improves by agt
and is never out of fashion. Other in.
vestments are liable to loss, but this is &
sure business-landlords are also benefit
ed by the rum trade. Many holes now
occupied for rum shops, and many hOrel,
now in demand for drunkards' dwellings
were it not for this business, would be
without tenant Rum makes business
for lawyers, also. Stop this traffic and
consequently drunkenness, and a great
proportion of crime and criminal pros
ecution would cease; the call for law.
yers would necessarily be greatly reduc-
ed, and fear that some of them would
have to renounce their profession. True
they could get comfortable living from
some laborious avocation, but then il
would not be so respectable, you know
Sherifs, constables, and prison-keepers
depend principally ON the victims of the
rum traffic for employment, and should
you stop the rum trade, 1 fear they would
have little to do. Physicians and sur.
geons find their business much increased
by reason of this traffic f; but as it is
doubtful whether their receipts Care ma.
terially increased by it, we will not in
clude them in the number benefited by
II