Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-08-25
FOR THE yIRGfNIAN.


FOR THE yIRGfNIAN.
M. Editor-I was not, in common with
other members Of the community, at all sur.
prlsed at seeing. IN your issue of Monday,
communication expressing sentiments opposed
to legislative action on the Maine Liquor Law
in Virginia. My only wonder was that this
opposition had been delayed so long, and that,
when commenc, d, the author, though using his
materials with crcditable ingenuity, should
have failed so entirely Of accomplishing his
purpose. This however should not excite
feelings of wonder or nslonishment; for low
can eoH BIO proven to lie better thar good or
how cen great known truth he proven TO DE
a .falsehood2 Bat TO The article in question.
The author does not wish Ia he considered
friend of inlempcrance," or "a Toe TO that
good cause which seeks the reclamation of
lrunkards," but he opposes the only enectua
means by which ii is to he successfully promo
ted basng the ground of his opposition on this
that they, the means to be employed, are naught
but the prevention Of the true end of govern.
ment. But whit are the great objects ofall free
governmental Why, by universal admission.
'1he protection and preservation of the per-
sonal rights, tho private property and the pub
lie liberties of the whole people," and we may
search and search in vain for anght. in the leg
slallve action mentioned above, that conflicts
IN the slightest degree with the true ends of
sovefnment according 10 this definition and
e 1t f.
al rightsl The security OF his person from as.
sanIls and injuries; the protection of his rep
utalion from gross ca jimmy the freedom to
express The full conviction of his own Judge
ment without fear. And can the law secure 10
me the first of these rights when men, with
their brains heated with Rum and driven TO
the desperation of madness by its fearful Of.
tects, arc constantly going at large, regardless
and unconscious Of the law, rcek essy to per-
petraic the fierce deeds 10 which the burning
liquid incites lheml Every days experience
requires us to respond hearty mol With re
gard 10 the second item enumerated above
among the personal rights which it is the ob
jcct Ct government and the duty of its officers
that be better effected than by prohibiting the
use Of that which gradually blunts the sensbil
tiles, sharpens the evil propensites, and event
uliy generates feelings of hurshness and breeds
"A calumnous spirit towards our fclhrw-men p
Again; how can we sccuro,to the lower order
Of citizens especially, the RICH. to an expression
Of opinion, coming from free and unbiased
judgement more readily, ;han by interdclng
the consumption OF poison which blinds, and
lays them open TO the wies Of deceiuful in.
triguers, who work and produce injurious eff
fects upon their minds when duled and en-
feebed by alcoholic drinks; frequently then ex.
tracing from them pledges which they are
though reluctantly, bouod to perform after
having returned to consciousness
But the second great object Of government
is to protect and preserve for US, as citizens.
our private possessions. We need not tax our
recollection of past events to seek for instances
where estates have been, in course cf time, con
verified into alcoholic poison, at the expense OF
health, and family peace. and happiness; we
need only look around us and behold the filthy
garbs, the haggsrd counrenanccs and the boat
ed persons Of multtudes who throng our pub.
he high ways, to be provided with all that ar
gument can wish for, in the way of instances,
for proof oithe truth of this assertion MANY
OF those creatures. now the very personifcation
OF wreichedness and woe, were nourishcd in the
lap of wealth, and once enjoyed riches which
the retailer of liquor has drained by slow de.
grees until he has accumulated them entire into