The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-06-13

IF a law should be enacted prohibiting men
from selling ardent spirits as beverage, would
such law take away mems rightss
This is the point to be examined.
Let.ns fairly and !mpartialy examine the
subject, and embrace the truth wherever it may
be found That the organization of society is
absolutely necessary for the welfare of the hu.
man family, all unhesitatingly admit.
Society is the union of many, formed for the
mutual protection and benefit of the whole
Like building, society must have basis on
which to rest The basis of society is fund
of joint stock. This fund is composed of NOR
al, mental and manual capital, contributed by
each member of the social compact.
If society answers its ends, it must have the
suit of virtue to preserve its morais-lhe intel
ligence of mind to guide its operations, and the
active hand of manual labor to do its work.
These three elements are indispensable to the
formation and perpetuity Of organized society
In order, that the superstructure of society
may stand firm and secure and answer its ends,
this fund, its basis, must be kept sound and
permanent.
And to do this, it is necessary that every
member be obligated to contribute something
for its general support in lieu Of the benefits he
derives therefrom.
Since every member draws something from
this social fund for his own use, las the protec-
tion of his person, property and liberty,) there
must be constant diminishing going on, and
unless system be adopted to supply the waste
made, or repleniSh the constant exhaustions,
the fund, which is the life preserver of the So
cial body, must he completely exhausted
This being so, society crumbles to ruins at once
Now, it is plain to all, that every member must
be bound to contribute his portion in keeping
this fund sound and full.
20 And this is the condition Of his membership.
If one man is allowed to be consumer without
being contributor, then all may be consum-
ers, and so society could not stand but must be
destroyed. In this case, it would be like bee
hive where all are drones and no workers; that
is self consumption would be its unavoidable
fate. Hence it is as clear as sun beam, that
every member of society, in order to preserve
it, must be bound as the condition of his men,
bership, to replenish with one hand while he
exhausts with the other 1t is only on this sys-
tenn of supply, that society has the elements of
selfpreservation planted in its bosom. Hav-
ing this system as its fundamental principle, 1t
is like the unEaing spring, which, though it be
constantly sending off its waters to refresh in
one direction, yet receiving constant supplies
from other channels, is ever full From these
facts laid down, we derive the following posi-
tions, viz: That every member Of society whose
employment contributes to the general interest
of society, has constitutional right to protec-
ton in that employment. The common sense
of mankind unhesitatngly assents to the truth
and justice of this position. Nothing is clear
or, than, that the tree which bears fruits for the
general good, should be protected by the gen.
eral defence.
Society is supported by the division oflabor.
The division Of labor gives variety OF en-
poyments. Every employment contributing
something to the general prosperity OF society
finds its protection upon the ground of this fact.
The farmer has claim on society for protec~
tion in business. But whys Because, his bu-
siness contributes to its welfare. The mechan-
ic has claim also to be protected in his en-
pleyment. Why? Upon the same ground:
Namely: his business advances the good of
society. The merchant, the sailor, the teach
er, the physician, the lawyer and the minister,
all have right upon the constitutional autho-
rites of the social compact to be protected in
their respective employments, upon the ground
that these employments promote the general
interest of society. Every employment then
claims protection upon the ground Of society
supporting tendency. Is this not the only
ground? There can be no other. If society
adopts any other principle of protecting EN-
ployments, it at once, plants the seeds OF self
destruction in its own bosom. This is beyond
controversy.
From this position, naturally results another
equally clear. Namely: That he whose EN-,
ployment contributes nothing to society, but
on the other hand, saps its foundation, forfets
all claim to protection in that employment.
The rectitude Of this position is unquestion-
able. It's statement is moral demonstration
1t rests upon the first law of nature, i. e., self
preservation. Society has to adopt it as the
only means of preserving itself. The employ
aents of counterfeiting, robberies, defrauding,
stealing, &c. are interdicted by law, uron the
ground that these empoyments sap the foun-
dation of society. Whenever any business
saps the foundations Of society, it forfeits all
right to protection froas society. Now, it is
quite easy to prove, beyond al doubt, that the
business of the liquor traffic does nothing for
the general good Of society, but on the other
hand is only evil and continually destructive in
all its length and breadth to the best interest
Of the social compact. The history of the il
quor trade presents facts countless, glaring and
unmistakable on this point. 1t is a business,
that destroys the physical, mental and moral
elements of society. The strongest bodies
crumble under its crushing burdens; the bright.
est intelects, are darkened by its fogs; the