The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-31
The Temperance Question.

Monroe county,, I have bee ONE a candidate for
nomination by the Democratic party. for Repre-
sentative for said county; and being long acquaint.
ed with many of the leading men of our party, /
did not expect to be placed 10 a situation which
would call out a communication upon any subject
whatever. But I now have a different view of
the case. We are in the midst of a political
struggle in which all parties are holding out and
advocating their own principles. and striving for
the ascendency. The Democratic, the Wing
the Free-soil, the Abolition, and the Temperance
friends Of temperance have made a considerable
move, and have a part OF their artillery now di-
rected against the present Democratic candidates.
And here the following dialogue. which took
place between Gers. Conway and Cadwalader, at
the time they fought a duel, may not be out Of
place. The parties having declared themselves
ready, the word was given to proceed. General
Conway Immediately raised his pistol and fired
with great composure. Gen. Cadwalader was
about to do so, when a sudden gust of wind &C.
curing, he kept his pistol down and remained
tranquil. "Why do you not fire, Gen. Cadwala,
der!" exclaimed Conway. Because replied
Gen. Cadwalader, eve came not here to trihe.
Let the gale pass and shall act my part" "You
shall have a fair chance of performing it well,'
rejoined Conway, and Immediately presented a
JuH front. III am one of the candidates that is
to receive a shot from a slong nine,'' or a des.
troying engine Of larger caIiber, l am willing to
give 6 a fair chance and like Conway. Will pre-.
sent a full front. All that can be done in this
case will be to knock me back, and impede my
progress for the present. The wound (if any,
will be but temporary-not mortal. =
In the "SPirit," of August 10th, / see the pro-
ceedingsof a temperance meeting, in Summer.
they are determined to fight while there is an en-
envy to meet, or the victory disputed. Their Sec
ond one shows that they will not support any
man, of any party, for either branch OF the Leg
islature of our State, who is not fully committed
in favor of, and will, under all circumstances,
vote for and at all times give his influence to Sc
cure the passage of the Maine or a similar law by
that Legislature. The third shows that they are
upon their guard, least they should become the
dupes of designing politicians, and that the Maine
law is the one paramount TO all others. The
fourth one calls upon the candidates to give their
whereabouts on said Maine law, and by failing so
TO do, they are to be regaOJed unworty their con-
fdence and support.
In answer to the first resolution I will only say
that Judging from The language they would make
quite good soldiers. A part of the second resolu
ton still exhibits the military spirit. In answer
to the next. will say, l never expected any sup
from the me, shat I l,.,x
pear in the caption of the proceedings, because ]
know not of a democrat being among them, and
that is the reas on | have not answered before This
| am not committed in favor of the Maine law,
nor need it be expected by any that I ever will
be, under the present Constitution of our State
Third. want no 'dupes," nor am l a low,
groveliing politician. If l cannot get along by
being honorable aud fair, l expect to stay at home.
The fourth I have answered III part above
Now a few words in reference to the
Mass meeting in Woodsfield, August 18th,
1853. In the adoption of the Constitution
of the State of Ohio, it seems to me the
people did mo- declare the traffic in intox-
icating liquors a very great evil. or they
would not have allowed all to trade in it
with moderation. There are laws now in
existence, | believe, that would suppress
the immoderate sale, and abuse. OF the ar
ticle, if the intended use was made of it:
but it is neglected. There are some peo-
pie who always want something new. The
act of the Legislature of last winter was a
mere flash in the pan-a failure-a mere
lodging Of the question-being u%nconsti-
tutional. The law making power of our
State is composed of a Senate and House
Of Representatives and not one word said
about any other body. Again it is not to
be expected that as large a number Of
Townships, as there is in this State, could
or would make a uniform law-not being
in one body.
II is the right OF the peop'e-the whole
people, ELECTORS Of course to select such
men for their Representatives as would al
least try to carry out their views. But a,
the same time those views should be in
oCCotuoiCe Will ouF SOuStltutiOu3 diU
think it is unreasonable to ask any thing
to the contrary. tits argued that the Tenn
perance (or rather the tetotal) question
should be paramount to all others at the
coming election" This is designed to
merge Democrats, Wings, FreesoiIers, Alb.
olitionists, and 'the rest Of mankind" in.
to one common crowd. and in the mean.
time, to divert tine minds and judgments
and at the same time make political CAPT
tai. | trust that the Democratic party o
our District and County will not loos,
sight Of our time-honored principles, 70
they are just as good now as ever.
Now for the Constitution. Schedule
Sec. Is. mo licencse to traffic in intoxi
eating liquors shall hereafter be granted
in this State, but the General Assembly
may, by law. provide against evils result
ing therefrom." 1t seems to me, then, tina
we all have a right, or a license to sell
if we do not abuse our privilege and create
an evil. TT any one sells beyond mode