The daily union., 1854-07-28
THE DUTY OF DEMOCRATS ON THE TEMPERANCE
QUESTION


the temperance question which attracted the notice
and provoked the criticism Of one of our intelligent and
Jealous democratic friends in Alabama Our esteemed cor
respondent Whose letter appears below regard
our remarks as well those of the Banner having ref
erence to the duty of democrats individuals and ct
zens in regard the temperance reform II such his
understanding of remarks he abors under entire
misapprehension. The article in question addressed
democrats members of political organization, and
guard them against the insidous attempts of some
of our opponents to SOW the seeds of dseord in our
ranks by proposing to incorporate test of ortho-
our party Nothing further from purpose (and
able contemporary of the Southern Banne than to intimate
any opposition the efforts of phIanthropc in behalf
the great temperance reform which enlisng the
energies of many good and valuable citizens Our
opposition directed the introduction into the demo-
tions instead of political principles We should rejoice
every democrat aryed the side of morality and to
this end fully appreciate the Importance Of those organ
izaons which seek combine their influence for the ad
vancement of social and moral reforms When designing
enemies of democratic principles seek undermine our
party organization by introducing such subjects into
pose destroy party organization, deem it
bounen duty our democratic friends against the
insdous danger But when do this protest against
any inference which attributes indifference much less
hostility to the cause Of temperance reform With these
marks the letter of Alabama correspondent
and that the whole subject may be fully before readers
we also republish the article commented on by him.
CHugSySuGGEr, (Alarl July 10, 1854.
TO the Editor Of Me Union
DEAR As the organ of the democratic party your
right exponnd their doctrines and creed presume
will object to- particularly if they deeply saturated
with democracy the writer Of this article who has been
veteran in the ranks for half century, and pat
of your paper from its foundation Your right die
and prescribe the political course of the party will not
contest but when you claim the prerogatve of regua
ting morality, / beg to be allowed to enter my
caveat .aa
Your paper of the 4th Of July is now before me- and
at the head of one of its columns stands the following cap
ton:
The duty of democrats the temperance question
Though very rgld temperance man, shall not stop to
do as one did of old who reasoned of righteousness
perance and Judgment come but my object to
press hope that neither of the political organs located
at our national capital would sympahize with the advo-
of the vile liquor traffic The lengthy article quoted
the Georgia Southern Banner and your endorsement
of the same filled my bosom with the deepest regret for
places thousands of the great democratic family, who
gard the moral reform being paramount to all other
sidera,ions in precamen and the question may well
asked "Does political party stand rum If
let us be ashamed of it, and qutit.
Bu, let us take heed lest political party is in
the minority from its adherence to for surely will
Degeneracy and subservency wickedness and debae
nent the spirit of he age God will overturn, and
overturn and overurn until temperance and truth tri
umphant!
The slightest knowledge of the history Of the tenn
perance progress in the States Of Union shows
how utterly false and absurd the positions of the Georgia
Southern Banner There have been retrograde
movements in the action OF the temperance reform its pro-
gross has been steady and rapid, and like mighty
Ianche will sweep political demagogusm from to
But will not trespass further, hoping our political
organ will follow in the wake of the Southern Ban
nerH
With due regard, your obedient servant
N. b. POWELL.
The DUTY DEMOCRATS TEMPERANCE QUESTION:
The conviction that an effort being made by some of the op
ponens democacyt divide and distract ranks the
introduction into politics Of the temperance question induced
publish, few days ago. the Maine liquor law To show
that without proof to sustain in conviction
the time impress democratic friends with the
Importance of watching this device of enemies call
their the following article from the Southern
Banner published in Georgia. The remarks of the Banner
are equally applicable TO various other localities:
ssTHE DUTY pEMocRATsThe aigns of the times warn
of dangers in the path of the democratic party, which, as
ahtu sentinels, bound to notice.
''We propose this time conine remarks of
these dangers of which reminded by the
1t State temperance convention ut this place While
vre result their deliberations has transpired
know that there is purpose the part of small
number throw the elements of prohboy legislation
caudron of politics, already seethng and bubbng with
heterogeneous and dangerous ingredients. We know
whether that will be endorsed by the State
ZION if il s have Judgment to pass upon them As
of this free country they have perfect right to
propose parties platform that they proper.
have rights and duties also and, the o
then we endeayor prevent tho distraction
vision the democratic party by this other
1t needless TO protest that have hostility
temperance, or to temperance men Individually. we
always the extent of humble ability, been the
friends and advoca OF that reform We not the apollo
g of reailers of the retail system We should heartily
rejoice If of their establishments boted the
the land Nor do at this time undertake pass udg
the proposed by the advocates legsa
interference indeed could do until something
known about the details of those Laws
might be proposed which we would favor others which
would firmly oppose.
But under circumstances ought this subject be
iered break up nure the democratic party. We be-
eve the continuance Of that party and the final
principles to be of Importance all the tener-
principles of democracy eternal they
the first awakening Of political freedom their great
pission will continue to spread and widen till the mennal
lawn. Democracy embraces principles of ar-rcacbing i'm
covering the whole field of the political relations of
and promising results the grandes that the the
patriot and pblanthropist can look forward to-
The temperance party, ii be formed must be in The
nature Of things temporary, feeble and inefficient 1t viii
but object and wide differences opinion will exst
the of securing that On all other subjects its
members will be at hopeless variance and its power
general good will of be nothing Such party can
hold powert is impossible; if such n one can be
gotten up and sweed to considerable ze the