Smyrna times., 1854-11-01
"The October Issue What will the
Legislature Do?

In the late campaign we were told-or rather
the people were told-that the temperance men
sought the issue as presented, and that they(the
liquor party, would meet US on our ODn ground.
Such was not the fact. Notemperance conven-
ton ever pass such a resolution, nor did any
temperance paper ever endorse the submission
OF the abstract question to the vote of the peo-
pie at the general election. We asked, first,
that the Legislature pass prohibitory LIQUOR
law as they pass all other laws, by assuming
the responsibility themselves as the law ma
king power or, second, if they were still afraid
to assume that responsibility, to enact the lao
and submit 1t at special election, that the peo-
pie might know exactly what kind of law
they were voting for, and vote for or against it
independent of all party issue. But the Legis-
lature passed the abstraction-in the face of the
declaration that the friends OfTemperance would
not vote upon it-and we agreed to meet them
on their ground with the understanding that our
vote thereon should not be considered as a test
OF our strength We opposed the proposition
until we found we would be compelled to meet
lt-then we did all in our power to rally our
! forces. In that we failed. In some of the
strongest Temperate counties the full vote was
not nearly out as the delegates from those coun-
ties stated in convention it would not be ON the
question in that shape. Still, under the cir-
cumstances would be greater victory than to
have carried it by 10000 majority on the issue
fairly presented as the friends of the measure
desired it should be presented
Now, one of two things remains for the Leg
isature to do The liquor party have not polled
half the vote of the State against Prohibition
nor can they do SO. The majority of the Vo.
tiers are not opposed to Prohibition. About
100000 have voted in favor of it. Have they
no right to be hear! Five times as many wo-
men and children who embrace those who suf-
for must from the course of the liquor traffic,
and yet have no means of redress-are not on.
ly in favor of it but demand protection for them
selves, their fathers, husbands and children.
Have they no right to be heard in this great
issue? Yes-the legislator who forgets the
= interests of the women and children in the en-
actment FLAWS is unworthy of the sufffages of
those upon whom they depend for protection.
> Is the Legislature, then, not bound, by every
. consideration of honor and duty, to pass the
Law! -r's-i i
But if the Legislature should not be sat
isied with this expression of public opinion lei
them have the matter fairly tested. Pass such
a law as the friends ofTemperance ask for, and
Q the interests of Pennsylvania demand, and
g submit its repeal to the vote of the people nj
: special election. On that issue we will NEE
: opponents pledging ourselves to stand or fal b,
!. the result. Then the abstract question of Pro
. hibition could not be misrepresented then pro
hibitory voters could not be bartered for this o.
= that candidate then the Law would be befor,
u the people, and they could Judge for themselye
s. what they were voting for. Such is our groun.
u such it ever has been-are the liquor part
willing to meet us on it! . - a. -
= Much remains to be said on this QUESTION YET
rs we apprehend little necessity for it. The midi
cations now are that a majority of the mex
y Legislature will be in favor of passing a pro
= hibitory law as they pass all other laws, and
y all laws should be passed II must come soon
y er or later, and the longer the people are 'op
u pressed with the liquor traffic the more popula
" will Prohibition become.-EGpress. ,,;'..l =