Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-09-08

MIR. CLEMENS 1 wish 10 lax little 10 the
youthful editors Of the Courier" really do
not think their mothers know they are out
know their consistently is not fully appre-
ciated.
In few short sentences they state that they
are friends Of The temperance cause-tempe-
rance men thefns elvcs-ihat they prove their
love for it by practice and precept, and then
devote four columns week, nearly all the space
usually devoted 90 editorial, to misreprese nting
the positions and intentions of the friends of the
cause in this city; to twisting and torturing
the meaning of the Journal" into canvass
for the Maine Law, as if that law was to be
voted for in November, and to crying out to the
few democrats that read its columns, or appre-
ciate its efforts, TO "stand off, 1" keep aloof,"
because, suppose, the liquor traffic in this city
happens to be wholly in the hands of democrats,
as if the influence of four or five liquer- selling
democrats could stop the mouths or bury the
consciences of the many, very many democratic
temperance men in our midst. They sing out
the drunkards old argument, {" free country"
as if our being in free country gave us the
privilege of pouring poison down our neighbors'
throats, or the privilege of making widows and
orphans without number. What an argument
Why, according to it, could build slaughter
ing house anywhereon Main street, that would,
by leaving all the offal lying around it, breed a
miasma that would be death to hundreds of good
neighbors. Let me ask, then, was there euer a
slaughter house that did or could breed such a
miasma of murder and misery, destitution and
poverty, such sweeping destruction to all the
dear ties of families and friends and kindred, as
a liquor selling establishment Oh! It's "free
country" When by paying tribute into the
State treasury the liquor seller can sever the
sweetest bonds of social life can cause the frail
and delicate partner Of man to be turned out to
the pitiless storm in midwinter, and the starving
children to beg from door to door for bread
Who says It's not free country
They call it the "Force Law" All mer-
chants pay into the State and County treasures
a tax in proportion to their business. One law
governs all their licenses whether they sell cali
Goes or iron, sugar or fish but for the benefit
of the whisky seller, the Legislature has made
special law; refuses to class him with mer-
chants; claims and exercises the right to regu-
late or prohibit, if proper, the trade in liquor
and fixes SPECIAL license for the liquor seller
to pay-high above the license of the merchant.
If they would place the license in amount in
proportion to the evil they do, and have dam.
ages assessed by a jury of the widows o. de-.
ceased drunkards, there would be more Justice
in it.
But wish to call their especial attention to
their consistency. If they would come out and
confess their fOndness for the "creetur," and
light under his banner Of the skull and cross
bones, would respect them better.
They are the friends of temperance !" still
they style the many ministers of the gospel
members Of the bar, merchants, mechanics, and
ladies who are using their influence morally to
advance the cause of temperance in our city,
fanatics" They pirate about their practising
temperance, then use their paper to instiI into
the minds of the democracy of this city the idea
that whisky selling is plank in the democratic
platform. Are they not worthy opponents of
Jefferson? Il think he was the father of demo.
cracy.) Well might the genius of Mr.. Ben
tons old demos crateo" exclam: Save me
from my friends !"
Yours, etc.,
| TEMPERANCE MAN.
IL The Russian and Turkey question is not