Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-06

property should be dlsregarded, but that
The marital laws should be SO modified, as
to permit general and unrestricted ANAL
gamation. And the Maine Law man asks
that the legislative power should change
every mans appetite and taste-make him
drink water exclusively, and think liquor
a great evil that has no virtue-and all
because he thinks SO. The principle in
each is the same, and its acknowledgment
in one instance is virtual endorsation Of
it in all.
As to the charge that 'some good men"
have been induced to sanction this move.
ment, we suppose Mr.. s. will hardly deny
that such IS the case. Mr.. s.. not salts
fed. however, with the simple assertion
we made-not willing that we should say
anything favorable to the advocates Of this
movement, proceeds at once to draw his
own differences, and assign them as our
arguments. We respectfully decline this
mode of warfare, and ask the privilege OF
assuming our own positions. We have
not the STATISTICS to show what proper
ton the professors of religion bear to the
sinners who advocate the Maize Law
Bnt, five were to judge from our .knowl!
edge, we would say that the dispropertion
was about to S. Then take into ctonsidt
Grafton, that ministers Of the Gospel, gen!
orally think, and rightly, that about one,
half Of the church will go to hell through
the channel Of hypocrisy, we mus, conclude
that there are rery few good men, who
have espoused this movement. /.
As to.the other charges Mr.. Shuey has
been pleased TO specify, we will reply BY
asking him if he has any authority for
their denial, and if he has, whence, did Il
come, aud what is IT., We do not deem j,
incumbent on US to enter into deserta-
ticn Oh TIE private character Of every man
in this con munity, and in the State, aud
we shall politely decline. on so slight q
pretext, to give our opinion as to the fit
ness of particular individuals to become
moral reformers. The allusions we made
to many of the advocates Of this measure.
are too glaringly true to require further
proof than personal observation. 1t is a
notorious fact, which is demonstrated by
actual occurrences every day, that many Of
those who profess to be psuedo. moral re-
n nd Al.
views on this. or any other subject, on
which they may converse. Every day s
observation brings fresh conviction to
our mino that majority Of the movers in
this matter, are no more fit TO be moral
teachers than the profaner of the name Of
God is to preach the Gospel Of Christ
Where is their charity nn forbearance
Has it been exhibited 0y those who have
essayed to address the public through the
press On the subject Or do they ptac-
tte the virtues which should always char.
acterize teachers in the camp OF Israel -
DO they, Mr.. Shuey' We pause for re-
ply.
The practical operation and the spiri,
OF the Maine Law are directly in conflict,
as we believe. with the Constitution OF
the United States. That instrument is
the chart of our liberties--the keystone
to the arch of freedom. An infringement
of its sacred provisions is treason to the
country and blow at the perpetuity Of our
institutions. The man who countenances
such an infringement, is no better than
the "wretch" who Set the blazing torch,
and burnt to the ground the Temple OF
OF Di ana-one Of the seven onders of
the ancient world-because, miscreant
like, the stability Of the greatest wonder
of a civilized world is assailed, that men
may be known and read Of by posterity.
We have thus gone more into detail,
and retrained from elimination more than
we would have done with most men,
But, believing Mr.. Shuey TO be sincere,
at least in his views, and entertaining for
him personally the friendIies, feelings, we
have endeavored to be satisfactory. and at
the same time courteous IN our leply.-
We must be permitted to say, however,
that he has gone somewhat out OF the le-
gitimate bounds that should be allotted to
correspondent in his character. Had
the controversy been between himself and
ourselves, personally. we should have an
swered categoIically to each charge. But
involving, as it does. many in the State,
.sor whom we do not believe he is author
ixsd to speak, and for whom he would not
ike TO speah.-because some, to attest the
sincerity of their r-.rofession of adherence
to this so-caled mpral Irteiorm' rip out
blasphemous oath, anc abssh ,Ssee very God
of morals-we have purpose,y aS'ided
direct answers to one or two questions
raised. Ii a man feels himself, individu.
ally. agsfieved, al the sentiment OF an ed
itorial, there is always way to get salts
faction. II d ser Of men, in their charac.
tiers as the public advocates Of any public
have their views assaiIed, il is
their province to lepls and repel hy argu-
inent ana facts, Mrn coming before the
public as the avowen champions OF public
must subject themselves to the
nsas-s Of the public, and undergo the crit
icism Of the press. 1t is only thus light
and truth can be elected. 1t is a poor
way to enforce the justice and merits of
any cause, for its advocates. when their
position is assailed to call for proof, and
when that proof is furnished to drop the
matter, without going further than to make
a few unsupported assertions, as to thu
manity," Happiness of the race" &c