The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1854-07-15
Comm IN icaked.
can Exciting Question:"

Mr.. C0met-Knowing that you
arc ever ready to do cven-handcd JUS
tice, and that you are frank enough te
lay before the people, the arguments
both pyo and can in regard to all mat.
tcrs Of public interest; / am induced
to ask you to publish the following re.
ply to an article, headed as above,
which appeared in your paper of the
9TH instant.
Your remarks in relation to "Tcm-
pcrancc lecturers" are rather severe
and CRATE very harshly on the ears Of
many Of the citizens Of Baton Rouge,
whether their efforts IRE styled "mad-
ness or folly" the public appear to
have, by Some means or other, be-
come aware Of tho madness" con-
tanned in strong drink, and Of the "fol-
ly" of continuing to pour it down their
throats as is evidenced by the action
Of our last legislature in passing the
aw now under consideration; this
very legislature, being composed Of
persons, who, it is universally conce-
ded, had ample experience, in regard
to the doings and sayings of his majcs-
ty, King Alcohol
1t is generally conceded that in
morals as in physic, violent evils re-
quirc violent remedies; and when the
dagger is elevated to be plunged into
your bosom, you will not long debate
the means Of avoiding the danger.
As to whether ardent spirits, drank
in moderation, Injuries the human sys-
tenn, is not matter Of much impor-
tancc just now; because at present
the effects Of "ezcessavc drinking
calls for remedy, and claims our I'M
divided attention.
Then to the 1uestion--"shall the
bar rooms be closed 2" Which gives
rise to two points for discussion, "1st
the principle involved and "2nd the
result of such movement" | am at q
loss to know to what article Of our
Federal Constitution you allude. 1t
is generally admitted that in our gov
ernment, every citizen has right to do
as he plcases, but there is u proviso,
that lie is responsible for the conse-
quenccs of his conduct" So if a man
choose to get drunk he can do so, but
if in consequence of his drunkness, he
Iakes the life of bis neighbor, he is re-
sponsiblc for his conduct, and be would,
N vain, plead the right to do as he
pleased"
But to cite case more immediate
y pertinent to the issue. Our streets
ire free to the use and enjoyment of
I'll classes Of citizens Then any in
or class of men that would de-
oar them or any portion of thcm, of the
rec and undisturbcd use of our streets,
hould be held responsible for their
Now [ have no desire to
Mention names or localities, but can
'ou not think Of many portions Of the
own that the ladies dare not enter,
m account of the blasphemies, and in
eccncics Of every description which
re perpetuaIly enacted by men con-
,regated in these shops? Tell US
ot, then, that VIC violate the rights of
ramsellers by closing their shops !!
o. they are infringing our rights and
&c will, now attempt to stop any fur ,
her infringement.
There are certain rules of conduct
'hich are admitted by all and their T
collation. is punished; such as the use
indecent language, promenading the t
reefs in a state Of nature &c. These y
lings are frequently done in "coffee e
ouses" (where no "coifce" was ever S
ade or sold). And why will you have ,
ssaaae men punished? Why not re- a a
owe at once the cause of insanity =? Ii
would certainly be more in accord
ice with humanity. .
But you propose to remedy the ad. 6
tilted evil by a prohidstory taz.-
ow l cannot see the legal difference