The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-03-05
}. What may be demoralizing the people

l
elect
We believe, as the great majority of the cit-
zens of Minnesota, that we have adopted by ac-
ceptng the features of the Maine Liquor Law,
plan and scheme for the general happiness
and the highest moral tone of the community.
The enemies of the Liquor law believe and pro-
mulgate the theory, that licenses are produc-
tive OF great source of revenue. In this, we
have our view of the proposition. 1t is this
We consider that the taxes which flow into the
treasury from licenses, are paid in a great part
| by tCaSh-,COnlen and ,c0rhing trODlen-the class
who, in the general, sign most of the petitions
presented by ''6eardiess boys and uOmen, for
their benefit and their relief This is an asscr
ton which is perhaps bold. but it has the mis-
fortune to be true. 1t is not to say that all the
frequenters of saloons and groceries are the in
dividuals whose '.BETrER-haires' pay the taxes
alluded to- nor should we be supposed to alludc
to the ladies whose names arc attached in such
numbers and associated with such respectable
ty. y large portion of men who cannot re-
strain Their passion for intoxicating liquors, are
the class who from their constant attendance on
GROCERIES, have no time nor inclination to re-
main at home and support their families. How
much better it is to prevent, by laws that are
certain in their tendency, a system which holds
the victim and his soul in the clutches of his
keeper. We wish for that law which secures to
the wife the comfort and society of her husband.
We wish for that law which secures to the mo-
ther, in the winter of her years. the support of
her son. We wish for that law which secures
to the child the protection Of its parent and
natural guardian. These are some of the rea-
sons which cause the friends of temperance to
ask for the features of the Maine Law to be set
forth in law Of our own adoption. 1t is be-
cause we have seen the workings of license
laws, thatwe set forth our objections 1t is be-
cause we have felt. in a pecuniary way. as well
as i'll a moral way, the iniquity such licensed
houses intlict on towns and counties The Cob
let does not give pleasure and delight merely
to those who imbibc the "sparkling draught,'
but it goes beyond. far beyond. and puts a poi
son in their mouths. and robs many an intellect
of its brillancy, and dctlroncs the distinguish
ing faculty between man and beast-Sod like
reason. 1t robs many families of their comfort,
Of their support. of the binding tie of family
unions-kOve and tr'iendship. 1t is because we
feel these things. and because we see them, we
wish to prevent them. by legal as well as
moral ligatiOn-cnfOrccd, not by stealth. moi
by fraud, not by wilcs, not by duplicity but by
the constitutional power of our cOuntry-thc
maiority's voice cmanatng through their lcga!
and constitutional representatives and we ask
| in friendship and sincerity every man who
loves his country, who loves the prosperity of
| the Territory, and the advancement OF his
ncighborhOod to go on all occasions and at all
times for the suppression OF the introduction OF
ardent spirits within our borders. Men are
10 more than men and all men in this free re-
publican land should think and act for them
selves. They are accountable only to their
God and their country for their actions. That
feature of freedom which the Constitution guar
antccs rs. we are grateful for, and by the spirit
| of that freedom we reverence, we Will act, when
the time comes, as becomes men untrammclcd
| by leaders; but will 90 with heart and hand
with those whose aims are justice and their
nations welfare. f. F.P.
| Sr. Paul. March 2. 1853.