The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-09-30

veTslve OF the ends Of society and gov.
eminent; Therefore
I'd; All sales Of intoxicating liquors
shall be forever barred and
3D.; An excise on every gallon manu-
factured shall be laid sufficient to stop its
distillaton.
Proud state would ours be, if such was
written on our organic law Unchanged
bly, written--written high above the
" demagogues' unthinking rage" f" and the
vaccilation oftippling Legislators!
Such an article in our constitution, how
would it not affect our interests? The
staple and glory Of our State, its golden
grain, instead of passing into the accursed
vapor and through the involutions of the
worm, to be condensed by the tears of
widows and orphans, how many by it
might not be blessed! As "a matter ofcal-
Culation itwould save Ohio annually near
ly one and half millions for pauperism
and crime and fifteen or twenty millions
per annum, now expended in drinking.
1t was a keen reproach to the State of
Massachusetts,, that of Mr. Hallet, one OF
the attorneys for the liquor vendors in the
great license case !" that she assumed
to abolish foreign commerce in her mar
kets imported spirits, on the ground Of
preservtng the health and morals fine peo-
pie; but at the same time in her external
commerce and exports, she encouraged
lOithout taT or excise the annual manufac-
ture by her citizens of 5,l779l0 gallons
of domestic spirits, one-eighth of all made
in the United States from molasses and
grain Therefore, let us have either bar
against manufacture, or an excise suffi-
cient to stop it Such an article in our
constitution is not unprecedented in civ
ilized States! 1t has only been within
three centurlsI in England, that liquor
made from grain has been used. Wine
was in use by the Greeks, Romans and
Egyptians; but the law always restrained
its use and its excessive indulgence was
regarded as criminal. Even stand-stiIl
China and bordering nations esteemed
abstinence religious as well as civil
duty. Our common law frowned upon
the use of liquor. Within the last year
some Of our States have been enacting
prohibitions against its sale. Society is
upheaving and rising against this legal
lied traffic.
Maine holds firm to her prohibitory
statute and is blessed init. Vermont has
rejected the license system by popular
vote of 10000 against 10000. Massa-
chusetts gives no license in any of her
counties. Rhode Island none but in four
towns. In New York, no Legislative ac-
ton has been had, bui a Report of Com
mittee of the Legislature has been sub
mitted which must ultimately create
some definite action. The Sunday traffic
is greatly suppressed in New Jersey and
Maryland. The Wisconsin law stands
firm, and is found to operate to the terror
and check to all vendors Of intoxicating
drinks. 1t is considered a model law for
all the States.
The Wisconsin law, however, is not
engrafled upon the Constitution. Let
Ohio take the lead in such noble emula.
tion.
Constitutions and Laws should be the
exponant of the popular opinion. Unless
they are such, they are but pieces of pa
per. In order TO brand and punish
crime, the community must first believe
it crime else its punishment is not an
example to defer, but martyrdom for
imitation. When De Foe, the great
friend of liberty (better known as the
author OF Robinson Crusoe,) was placed
in the pillory for defending the Dissen-
ters, the populace who were expected By
the laV, to pelt him with eggs, and heap
contumelies on him hung garlands on his
pillory-huzzaed, and sung hymns to
him, ssi.u g...
"Tell them, the men that place them here,
Are scandals to the times IE
Are at loss to find his guilt
And can't commit his crimes"
Apt illustration OF a truth-equalIy ap.
plicable TO a good or a bad law, good
or bad man, that public opinion must
sustain the law; else its breach will be
winked at and punishment will be an
honor. Let this public opinion be con-
centrated and sent to Columbus; and
our members will heed its dictates, Let
the mighty heart beat and its lhrobbings
will nulsate in the Convention This