The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-12-02
To the People Of Massachusetts.

FELLOW CITIZENS :--Intelligence and integrity are
the foundation Of a republican form Of government
Gu these stones rest its stability and its purity
Where these are wanting anarchy and oppression are
sure to succeed
Laws are y sure and unerring standard Of the
morals ui a people There no crimes so pernl-
CiOus to society inqUity established by law. An
unjust principle, Incorporated into law, elrculates
like poison in every channel Of the blood, and soon
paISles the heart Oi the commonwealth. cruel law
begels cruelty in private Individuals; an unjust law
teiches and c0untenances injustice The people are
eage.eyed to catch and to follow the example Of their
laws. single and sacred private right Frustrated by
public example is general license to trample on all
private rights. . .t . .U
In asserting these principles, we are aware that we
only utter Ioms well understood by the people Of
this commonwealth, Drawn away t,r time from
these imnOvable principles, we are confident, on more
MIXTURE reflection they will recover aud stand upon
their true position
Appealing to their strong sense Of justice we pre-
sent the subject Of this address, sure in the end Oi an
impartial verdict.
ia the 23d OF May, 1852, an act was passed by the
Leg Stature OF this Commonwealth, entitled "An Act
concerning the anuiacture and sale Of SprituOus or
intoxicating Liquors
This measure was the result Of widely extended
and organized effort Of the real and pretended friends
of Temperance The law was an exotc-in sub
stance, and almost in form, borrowed from neigh.
bOrug State Ii came recommended by ita imaginary
trIumphs It's apostles declared that it had spread
virtue, competence and freedom from strong drink
over the whole State where it was born. The grOg.
geries we're closed the pOor-hOuse without tenant,
the courts without criminal The golden age OF the
bod, pOlitic had come Pence plenty quiet and in
duNtry were pouring out their inl horns UpOn that
avOred community.
A who,r army ii the missionaries Of this new anti
d0te lor the evils Of ntemperance invaded this Com
mpnwealih and iniamed the popular mind with
ther extraVagant statements and miserable sOphis-
tries ...... ...
The ear that had long heard the woes Of intemper-
an e caught eagerly the first sOunu Of approaching
relief The clergy we're summoned, at the peril Of
place and character, to demand the immediate en-.
actment OF q similar law. Political party organza-
tons pene rate l. and votes were offered 10 any
one who would bow before this new-made idol OF the
ihlur.
Secret Societies the tools Of tyranis the adherence
OF ireemen. when politically employed, were every.
where Organized and brought their dangerous power
to belr upon the pOliucs Of the State. Under the
names ii The Sons Of Temperance "Order Of TEN.
pars. Watehman 'ubs. }" they have pTacticed their
dark nd dangerous plots against the rights OF pence
ul and upright citizens. Thus began that wi cru.
sade which has Ony injured the cause it pro sed to
pruruute. F.H
With VII this array Of power and influ ce, with
high professions Of dlsnterested zeal, with baLners,
mammoth memorials, bng professions and noisy
ORATORS, the party in ia Ot the law made combined
assault upon the Leg stature Of 1851.
By threats by Promises by entFeAties, by system /
agunst the sOber cOnvcrnns III large majority Of /
that V, ry Leg stature. The Governor Of the Com. /
mouweath forced by kind di political necessity, /
to sign n Bill which he did MT approve.
Aud now when it Is passed v here is it. and what II
has done inr tue good n the State II hangs torn,
and in shrets, upon every altar VI juslee IN the II
State and IN every State where It has been passed,
OF the attempt made Judge Shepley, Of Maine, held 1
1t only Ivy iOrcsd construction Ill the Legislature
ennld spread healing plaster for IT, broad the 4
parchmrnt M Which the Ori gnal vas eUgrOssed.
The supreme Court in New Hampshire pronounced II
1t unconstitutional in five particulars. II
The lrcut Court in Rhode Island. gave it snch II
bio" there that has hern prostrate ever since. In
ths state, not one IN hundred Of the clses cOm H
mcced reach the result II conviction in thG inferior II
courts We have hut little doubt that the Supreme II
Cnnrt NJ th,s' commonwealth will insh the work At II
blow when the conStitutonaity Of The law is fairly
before them Why keep such law upon your book Il
Of SAtutes for day Why not with one touch Of II
the hand. repeal it ut once !! II
What good has this law done during the year and h
half Vi its existence, to the people Of this Common.