The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-03-03


that they consider it tsr duty to express the views
and sentiments of their constituents, and vote Of
their patriotic dislntereatedness. But Iapprehend
in some instances, at all events, interested mo-
iiyes would be found moving in the breasts Of
some. and moved by such considerations should
feel myself unworthy Of favor at the hands Of The
people.
Those who are advocating the passage Of this
bill, well understand the senstveness Of office
holders and office seekers. We saw a resolution
proposed by which the friends Of this bill pledged
themselves TO vote for no man for any Office, who
was not pledged to support this law; making
their fana,icisrn in this question paramount to all
other considerations, and the best interests Of the
Territory. Acting upon this principle, fanatcism
and the Clergy have besiegcd these Halls, with
the ballo, box for their battle cry, with which,
like Banquo's ghos: 10 push the Representative
from his stool
We have something else to do than TO legis-
late upon this one subject; and ny men might
be found here who would he very good friends Of
the Maine Liquor Law, and yet good for nothing
else. I am opposed to this law, sir: first upon
account Of the manner in which il is advocated
by its ds-mainly by force, and threats
and fanaticism-and appeal or the proof Of this
to The universal experience elsewhere, liz regard
TO similar laws. do not believe that our people
are so much more pure and moral that they will
carry out law Of this kind which has never been
carried out in older communities ] know lis
friends will say this remains to be proved, and
ask trial, for time at least. But they have
had one trial already, and that has failed. This
law. sir, has been time and again denounced by
the wlsest Judicial tribunals Of the country. Sir,
we have too much Of the Higher Law doc
rine upon The subject Of slavery, and it Is 10 this
law the friends of this reform appeal when the
constituted authorities Of the land declare against
them. believe ii to be first duty Of a citizen 10
obey the laws Of the land as they are construed
by the proper authorities, and when men array
themselves against them, even Cpon higher law
principles, II shows bad state Of public sent-
ment and gives lust reason for alarm for The afc-
ty Of our institutions. If these Institutions fail US,
predict it viii be in consequence Of the fanat
cal isms which of late years have been so preva-
lent in this country. The law passed last win
ter has proved Intellectual: it has been decided TO
be unconstitutional. We have witnessed its evil
effects, mobs and mob laws. acts of violence and
law suits have grown out oft. Have we TO ex-
pect different results from the one before US, We
have now upon our table the op inion Of one who
should know more about its legal effects and le-
gal construction than any member Of this body,
and that one who by law is TO pronounce upon i,
hereafter, and that opinion is in opposition to its
legality. am prepare to endorse those opinions,
and must square my actions accordingly. | in
woke you in the name Of liberty; The liberty Of our
.eoved country; that liberty which was watered
by the blood of heroes, saints and martyrs: by the
blood Of Montgomery, Dckalb, and Pulaski
conilre YOU III the name of the ilustrious dead
Of Mount Venom invoke Yea by all that is near
and dear, YOU love ycor wives and little ones-to
preserve unsulled the liberties of Your couny-and
children without spot or blomish. Pass this bill,
Mr.. Speaker, and the Representatives Of the people
of Minnesota will have declared in their places under
the sanction of an oath, sworn on the altar of their
God, that the liberties Of the people gone. Pass
this bill, Mr. Speaker, and the hand Of that clock
which indicates the social and moral condition Of
man, will have turned back century. Pass this
BILL and it may well be SAID that the institutions Of
country have fallen upon evil times II the use
Of sprituous liquors be evil, il is a moral evil, and
must be reformed, if reformed at all by moral means
''COnvincc a man against his will,