Smyrna times., 1854-11-22
Rob IBITIOM.

Now, since the election is over, the legisla.
tors chosen, and the time of their conyeninu
near at hand, it behooves every friend of Pro-
hibition to be active in the means Of securing
a Prohibitory Law. One great detriment to
the temperance cause has been the want of an
interest and timely effort of its friends to secure
their principles. No member elect of the As |
sembly ispledged for a Prohibitory Liquor Law,
but we think they are all elected to represent
their constituents. The people have a right to
instruct them to vote for the passage of such
laws as they wish. This may be done by petit
tioning. We hold that intemperance is a fit
subject for legislation-that the luuor traffic
is an evil, a gross evil in ITSELF and that it
should be prohibited, and punishable by LAW,
in like manner as other evils. If more
voters petition fora law than demonstrate, then,
according to the democratic principle, the ma
jority should rule. This we look upon as the
proper method of arriving at the expression of
the popular voice. Several plans have been
proposed, among which is the following. taken
from the Republican: "The restriction or
prohibition of the indiscrmnate sale ofintoxi.
eating liquors, is the most important question
that will come before the session of the Ieg;s-
lature, which commences on the first Tuesday
of January next. The men elected in This
New Castle) county, are all friendly to the
cause of temperance, and sincerely desire to
lessen the evil sresulting from the excessive Use
of liquor as beverage. Most of those elected
IN Kent and some of those in Su. sex are repre-
sented to be not averse to prohibitory law.
providing the larger portion of the people wish
one enacted. Therefore it has been suggested
that the Legislature pass an act in the first or
second week of the session to hold an election
IN ten or fifteen days from that time, to test the
sense of the people in regard to the question
1t a majority of the votes cast in the State be
Ill favor of prohibition it is contended there can
b. no reasonable objection to the enactment of
slch law, as it would most probably be sustained
and executed If ajority should be AGAINST
1t, the indication would be that public sentiment
would not sustain the law, and that if il shopld
be enacted It would be repealed at the next ses
sion of the Legislature. This is the way MANY
good temperance men reason, but whether wise.
ly or unwisely, is not for us to say. 1t is GER
tain, whatever may be the result, that we need
legislation on this subject, as Notwithstanding
the proclamation of Hon. Jas. A. Bayard that
the "drunkard is a fool" hundreds of our voutb
are learning to drink to excess, and not few
men go down every year to drunkard's grave
The vast column of inebriates is made I'm of
senators, Representatives, Judges, men of learn
ing and genius, skilful mechanics and artizons
as well as those of limited intellect and learn
ing. The wealthy class furnish the full num-
Der of those whom Mr.. Bayard denominates
tools" and he must be aware of the fact In
short, there are few families in the country
which have not suffered by some member using
strong 'r;nk to excess, and according to Mr,
B1yaFd, they are fools. We provide asylums
ier the idI0tic and insane, and therefore we
should protect all others, who lack sense. IT,
pFohibitory law is not deemed advisable. we
Should have the next best law that human in.
genulty and wisdom can devise. But this is a
matter the Legislature must consider, and it is
to be hoped they will decide wisely.
"We have heard the holding of an election
suggested, and therefore have written the above
Some are in favor of petitionng the Legislature
and the number Of petitioners be considered az
an expression of the desire of the people in
regard to the subject