Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-01-13

FRIDAY, JANUARY ~, 1854.
------------.--- ..'---'----- -
The western Democratic Heyicw,
and the Liquor Question.
The Western Democratic Revieae. Is the
title of new paper recently starte lat
Indianapolis, under the editorial super
vision Of Gao. p. BUELL. Esq. The
name. R.uicp Is generally assumed by
such periodicals as are, or aim to be-
par ercelisnce, the exponeuis OF the Po-
litical or religious, or literary creed es-
poused by the editor. Rcvie'cs are ex-
pected to do the heavy work-publish
the dry and argumentative articles need
ed on the subjects discussed. Hence
the opinion OF Rsuisr may be safely
stated as the opinion OF the sect or par
~ adopting II as an organ. Whether
Mr.. BUELL. uses the word Democratic, in
its generic sense, as applicable to our
free system of government, or whether
IL Is used in a specific sense, as applica-
bic only 10 the Democratic party, we
can not yet determine. We presume it
must be in the former sense, as we are
not apprised Of any arrangement by
which Mr.. Brown of the Sentinel has
been superseded as the acknowledged
exponent ofparty Democracy in Indiana.
Least Of all do we suppose him authori
zed to state the position Of that party on
the liquor question. Ii we are posted,
the platform for the on-coming canvass
has not been constructed yet, and we
have as much cause to expect that it will
favor a prohibitory iasc, as that it will op-
pose it. II the usual sagacity Of that
party is not abandoned, it will most as
suredIy espouse The cause, as it did the
Wilmot Proviso In ls49, il it be only
for one season, as in that case, for The
people are certainly moving in that direc-
ton.
But we began this article to review
the Rerielc, on the question Of Liquor
legislation IN IRdianal and we will not
enquire further who endorses the Re-
rier, or Tor whose benefit it Is publish
ed. He begins by saying:
No subject Is now exciting the public mind
10 as great an extent as that Of the prohibit.
ton OF the manufacture and sale Of spirituous
liquors. A large number Of able political
presses. and thousands Of prominent polili.
clans are devoting every energy. aud sacriIi
cling every article In the creed Of parties &c
the advancement Of the cause Of temper
ance.
This is true, and we consider a news.
paper recreant to duty, that does not pay
some attention to this subject. Let the
people know that this is the question
and that all talk about the Wing party
or Democratic party, is merely to Keep
up party drill, for the spoils Of Office
And it is such a question as demands
decision. Neutrality cannot exist
The interests at stake are too great TO
adm it of giving the question the go by.
Let all editors favor or oppose it as they
deem best. Ifthere should be any doubt
which side noe are on we Will define our
position some ofthese days.
The temperance movement Is not a new
one: II Is As old a. majority Of the social
institutions Of the country. II has been
found necessary, at various periods, and In
different countries, TO regulate, by govern
mental enactment. the sale Of spirits. The
difference between the species Of Legislation
desired by the old friends Of temperance re.
form, aud that which is demanded by It's ad
vocates 10 day. il this: the former merely op
Grated as s,,restraint upon the abuses Of th,
liquor traiiic-ths latter is designed to bio
from existence every liquid likely to be used
aud calculated 10 stimulate the human sys
tenn.
The design is not to blot from eristenc
intoxicating liquor, but to destroy, a
once and forever, the tipping houses
that have proved such bane to society
Liquor can exist for proper purpose
without the aid of the sinks Of iniquit,
that flourish under the old order ofthngs
The experience OF fifty years has show
that "the abuses of the liquor tlaific'
can not be restrained while men ar,
licensed to sell rs beverage to ever,
one who will pay for IL, and hence tn
friends Of restraint ask, and will have a
entire prohibition of the traffic as beper
age.
We have ever been an enemy 20 the ex
ces-ive use OF ardent spirits, have neve
doubted that establishments where drunken
ness aud riot abound, eau be abatsd unde
the laws Of all the States OF the Union. a
common nui-anees
Did you, Mr.. Buell., ever know Of sue
nuisance being abatod IN lndianal-
II so, please give us the date and the cir
cumstances. We have known perhap
half dozen keepers fined, under charg
of nuisance, but the fines did nothin
towards abating them. They cpntinu
ed as before. IL IL rather amazing no,
to hear liquor sellers and their friend
pleading for the efficiency Of the old la'
II 10 ,eere only enforced, when not ma
among them ever tried to enforce it,
They remind Us OF the fable OF the rat
A farmer who had long tried to "restrai
the abuses" ofhis rats, by various kind
Of traps, he became impatient, when h
saw their skill in evading first one, an
then another. and he finally determine
on the extinction of the race by arsenic
This aroused great Indignation anon
the rats, and they began TO denounc
the farmer, for infringing on their rights
Moreover, said one old rat, the old ira
system, VPrcperly applied, would al