Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-02-17
To the Editors Of tho Enquirer.


HALIFAX County, FEE. TO- 1854
The people of Virginia have in their solemn sovereign
capacity respectfully, by upwards OF hi'eeh housau
voices pr,lioued the present Legislature TO pass laws SIM
DIV 10 beyen the sale Of intoxicating beverages WITHIN inc
limits OF the Commonwealth, and those TO be- elective on
where majority Of the voters OF any county sa
them: but .he wisdom and supeo, intelligence OF le2lsa
tor. decided with even more promptness ma Tas
pected of them, that 1t would be inexpedlent 70
The subject. Had they stopped here, the people OF
pjna would have turned away with hope rcllnquseu VI
apy did om The present Legislature anu looked WIN
confidence 10 sorce rom ~hch was
to expect OF action hai mlSht contribute SUM-
thing 10 the temperance reform needed add bY eZsng CIT
cums,ances demanded allude 10 the Coun? Souita
But, as if with desire foresta the action OF mat oody
the approaching spring term when licenses VIII DC aplu
for the Legisau seemingly attempts nteSehon anu ne
cares nexpeden also TO so cgislac as 10 MAKE u uSct
icnary with the Courts grant or refuse licenses 10 pei
sons appIynn 40 deny ha! discretion already 10 exist
This trick NY opinion, whatever be Tue dtslsh w"S
will scarcely avail State or federal demlgosucs In LUZ
construction OF The existing laws WHICH coHie
upon the grant licenses, Tor the purpose VI te.
ing intoxicating beverages is TO be presumed ana
7rs,rate capable OF
for himself There two words in the Enssh iah'
euagc more clearly Defined lees liable to
than tie TWO simple monosylables May and Shall None
can mistake the meaning for the other, 80 scpa-
rat and distinct is the Specification OF cach Babes before
they can acuate know full well the difference between
the two Now 10 pretend that legislators, who enact
ed the prescnr license law contemplated mat inc courts
should even when the applicant had proved lis good mo-
raj character GEL exclusive of discretionary power
grant LICENCES would be 10 argue such Courts mere automa
tons inscnsble stupid machines competent only 10 give an
affirmative applicant o.
Now this were go why basow this imPocTt poser
on the Commissioner Of the Revenue at once or the Cer
and save the county the expense and the Sheriff. The trouble
of sunmoning all the Justices in the county for that special
purpoac? But many justices in the Commonwealth nave
heretofore construed the law, as II now reads as Tesns
them with discretionary power 20 grant or refuse licenses
and may having refused The application oil OIL believe cy
execute the law strictly and as Justly as hose ala VINO
granted applications.
The motive which prompted fifteen thousand OF Inc vo
tes of Virginia memorlZc the Legislature on THIS great
subject was Enthusiastically honorable and noble mo-
tive and if actuated doubtless they were oy Just Sense
of duty in the holy purpose OF raising from tic lowest SINKS
of dcnrada,on many of their fellow men, by mode the
only one L is believed, which be successfully employ
ed they should begin without delay 10 marshal their forces
for another contest and with feelings undsmnyed al he
defeat by the Legislature 0pcpare petitions TO the county
Courts throughout tho State, urging them 10 refuse an a
pcalons for license continue traffic in The enlightened
and improved arc Of The nineteenth century, WHICH
curse 10 man anI accused OF God.
Ii the Courts refuse grant your request upon mem "
responsibiry for every Of dunsueas aad nr every
crime committed within tho vicinity OF those vice distiou
ting engines which they crcatr and upon their eaa5 WI"
be the curses in eternity OF the myTiats OF diunKaFa WHICH
were there manufactured writing in bitter agonlcs 10
yawniny and endless He'll Friends Of Temperance SONS
of Christians Of Republican America 10 your
work Let none who values the good oil society! ana INC
Improvement which may be effected for any OF our race De
idle; let US each vie with the other 10 accomplish inc largest
amount OF good for the cause, by the ncnoEaoe sp'G
Courts And trusting in everything Providence, we VIII
ultimately cause victory perch upon The banner OF rue
nh;I,n th,onv Y. Y. Il.