The Yazoo City weekly Whig. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 18??-1855, 1853-04-15


passive victims, have met in consultation
and taken incipient steps towards its ulti-
mate suppression.
Pursuant 70 a previous call 4 numerous
lly attended meeting was held on Wednes-
Iday night. the 9th inst, At the Court House
for the purpose of appointing delegates to
the Temperance Convention which IS short
by to assemble at Jackson. We were not
present, but understand that much interest
was manifested, and several appropriate
speeches made. The remedy, proposed by
Mr.. Anderson of Holmes. is simple and
seems to meet with general appreciation. II
| is special law passed during The last ses-
sion Of the Legislature, for the benefit Of
Holmes county only; and, inits operation,
comes fully up to the expectation of its
friends. It's to the following effects: Any
one applying for license to retail liquor,
must, before he can receive them, present
TO the Board Of Police petition signed by
| the majority of the heads Of families resi-
dent in the village or town where he wishes
o establish his grocery. BIT fin the coun-
TRY, it then becomes necessary to obtain the
consent of a like majority, living within a
circuit Of fyemiles. Such law, if adopt
ed. cannot fail of doing good; and then, too,
it carries the additional recommendation Of
being strictly compatible with the isst prin-
ciples of government, recognising the right
of every community to decide what is, or
| is not nuisance, and to remove or tolerate
at their pleasure. That groceries are not
only nuisance, but moral blight to soci-
ETY.. no one, possessed of common observa-
ton can deny, To their pernicious infiu-
ence is due the deprayity of many a man,
the impoyerishment Of many family, and
the preparation of many an outrageous
murder. The facility with which perverted
tastes csn now be gratifed. has rendered
dram drinking not only a fashion, but, in
many eases, an actual evidence of personal
regard. Do two friends meet, at a moment
rather unexpected, why. Of course, they are
quite delighted and can eyince their cordi-
atty in no other possible way than By going
straight to the grocery and there taking a
social drink Does a reconciliation take
place between beligerent parties, who, in
die world. would once think Of having con-
6dence in Ehe sincerity of their professions
unless subjected to the omnipotent test. Of a
glass of brandy
It is not expected that any legal enact
ment, whatever may BE the wisdom with
which it is devised. can make sober men Of
confirmed topers. Such persons are slaves
to appetites too craving to be resisted; and
could not abandon their rainous practice,
even if they would. But Il Is expected that
Ia judieious Law. by remo1ing temptation
and thereby rendering dram-drinking less
fashionable will protect the rising genera
ton at least, and preserve them sober and
yirtuous men. Let Il not be said that in
temperance is beyond the province of legis-
Ialion, and that reform should become the.
worksof public opinion alone. For public
opinion is passive and susceptible of taking
any direction Just as it's acted upon; other.
wise, it could never have been brought q
view. with any degree oftoleration, the pre- 1
sent system Of groceries throughout the
land, which allure. debase and yictimize so
many thousands every year. Day by day.
and year by year, has this insidious indu
ence been made.to bear on public opinion.
until now It regards. with comparative in
difference, that which should excite nothing
but feelings Of adherence. So true it is
that
Vice is monster Of SO frightful nIien,
As. to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too Oft, familiar with her face..
We first endure, then pity. then embrace
5nly allow the groggeries 70 remain and
display their allurements, and they may
safely bid defiance 70 every opposing inliu-8
ence. Safely ensconsed behind rampant
Of yitiated tastes. % which they are daily
giving additional strength. The shafts Of the
most powerful eloquence may assail them
but in vain. their position Is imDregnable.
.Demolish tie groceries. and the people will
cease to Be intern rate; but this IS q work
q be performed only by the strong arm Of
the law. Deliver Us from temptation
The language of scripture, and s especially
applicable i lhe present instance.
The applicai Iohs q rights to manu-
Ia.ufe eaiorie engines Eerisson invention