, 1854-04-29
Remarks Of Mr.. CrOSble,
On the prohibitory liquor law:

time 10 examine II, saying 10 ltS main sup
porter, that if could consistently, as a
democrat, as a republican, sustain that law,
] would do So | now cancel the bond and
mortgage, then given, by answering that
have examined the law in every respect,
prompted by an earnest desire to fulfil the
gcntlcman's wishes. But | find that as n
member Of a country, which guarantees to
every man his sacred rights and liberties, |
must unqualfedly oppose it, l approach
the discussion of this subject with no little
dillidcncc. know that l have many, very
many, disadvantages to contend with-the
dramatic interest is all on the other side
Where morality seems TO be concerned,
feelings always govern instead of judgment
heart rules the head The warmth and
impetuoSty Of the one, in its often imagin-
airy fear, that the principle they are endeav-
oring to sustain goes down. when the shape
in which it was brought up is proven objec-
tiOnable, becomes uncomfortable by the
cool, calm discrimination, that would pick
the grain of wheat from the bushel of chaffl
and planting it by itself, water and nourish
it, that it might grow up and bear fruits Of
nutriment, rather than poison; and that
which was sweetness, might not, 10y the I'M
proper migrating, be turned to bitterness.
Sir, feel assured that here to-day, in
this legislature, a body whose proceedings
should all be marked by mature delibera-
ton, well weighing and considering the con
sequences of their actS-where philanthro-
lpy and benevoencc, however much to be
honored and loved elsewhere, should have
no seat within the bar;--in this legislative
body, where legality, aye, you may call it,
if you will, cold, iron-hcartcd legality, should
be the guage by which TO measure our en-
actments-I shall hear pathetic appeals
rather than convincing arguments.
| Whenever see man Of ennobling viz
nobling virtues, mixed with infrmitieS which
are hurrying him onward to destruction,
all the better feelings of my nature prompt
me to reach out hand to his rescue; and
Swere TO legislate for individual interests,
instead Of public benefits, | should certain
y sustain the passage Of that law.
Let us see how this matter has been
brought up. Here is q law, the most im-
! portant that has been before us this session,
in its far-rcaching ramifcationS, extending
over the entire Territory. Has it come
from the proper source? | hold that Lgis-
iation on all matters Of rtdl importance should
I proceed, on The clear and oppressed rW Of the
people, not anticipate Il. This has no such
groundwork. Had the wants Of the Ter
ritory been so imperative on this subject as
its advocates would induce us to believe,
We certainly should have heard the opinion
A. ,,f dole
CATION, can say that the question has not
been mooted in Clarke County-the largest
county in the Territory The first and last
that heard on the affair, till it comes up
so suddenly before US, was one solitary pc
tition, with about dozen Names laying on
table, in the hotel at Monticello. im-
nSincd that it was merely originated as
laughable experiment, little dreaming that
the attempt would he made to have it car
eied into effect.
This law, which has passed the Council
in such whirl-wind way, has for its foun-
dation three beggarly petitions. l do not
think there can be any architectural strength
in SO huge an ediiice, erected on SO scanty
base a little more caution will give
greater confidence in its stability. The
people of this Territory will have far more
reliance ON the wisdom Of our acts, if they
proceed from mature deliberation, instead
Of hasty legislation. trust that when
our session has terminated, We may look
back with the proud satisfaction that to
the best of our ability, every matter was
sifted thoroughly, unbiased by passions or
prejudices, either Of a party or private ma
ture.
repeat that these three petitions are
too 6imsy foundation. One was from
Lewis County, that portion of it which is
now Cowlitz. one from King, and one from
Thurston. By the way it may not be i'm
proper to say, that the one from Thurston
bore evidence of having amongst its sign
ers several tobacco chewers. Now, why
not, since we are going so extensively into
the moral reform principle, bring in pro-
hibitory tobacco law Strong evidence
can be adduced of its deleterious effects.
If we commence the moral reform, let us
carry it out, only do not touch the tea, or
you will be sure to find a tempest in a tea
pot. For the sake of peace and quietneSs,
keep our acts from all infringement on the
women's rights society-we SHOULD certain
| ly have to retreat. 1
forgot, however, that there was still
another petition: that from the Oregon
Methodist Conference, not a petition as in
dividuals, but as a Church. trust have
proper reverance and respect for every
thing that is sacred and holy, but | cannot
refrain from characterising an interference
of religious community, either in law or
politics, as extremely unwise.
Had this law been drawn up more care
fully, the measures TO carry it into effect
been less stringent, it would have far more
chances of success. As it stands now, it
70 trooaouslv onprassiva Sacred riUhts