, 1854-05-06
Remarks Of Mr.. CbslOwetb.

expression relative TO the passage Of pro-
hibitory liquor law. The following is CO.
py of the bill as it passed the house, amen
ded by Mr.. Chenoweth: -
AN ACT to take the sense of the rioters Of
the Territory, as to the proPriety Of laic
prohibiting all sale and traffic in intoxica-
ting liquors IN this Territory.
Sec Is. 1t shall be the duty of the
clerks of election, at each and every cleo
tion precinct in this Territory, at the next
animal election, to add two columns to their
poll books, one headed Z" for the prohibito-
'ry liquor law" and the other against
the prohibitory liquor law" and it shall be
the duty Of the judges of the election at
every precinct to put the question to every
voter voting at the polls, are you in favor
, of the prohibitory liquor law" and the vo-
ter's answer, if he votes, shall be "yiya
yoce,' and shall be recorded in the said
two columns, under the appropriate heading.
/ See. 10. 1t shall be the duty of the
judges and clerks of election, in every cleo
tion precinct in this Territory, at the next
annual election, to make out and forthwith
forward an abstract of the votes given in
their respective precincts for the prohibto-
ry liquor law, and the number of votes Civ
en- against it, to the Secretary of the Ter
ritory, and it shall be the duty of the Sec
retary to publish the result of the vote in
every county in this Territory, in some news
paper published in this Territory, as soon
as said returns shall be received by him.
And that five hundred copies of the act as
it passed the council be published and sent
to all paris of the Territory.
In committee of the whole, Mr. CAeno-
weth moved to strike out all except that
portion that provides for taking the sense
of the voters on the subject of prohibiting
the sale of liqnor. Said the object sought
by that bill was good one. 1t aims at
checking and utterly removing intemper-
ance. As to the great evil sought to be re-
moved, there can be but one opinion. The
dreadful consequences of intemperance
have been too often delineated by master
hands, to leave any doubt that it is one Of
those dreadful blights upon the human race,
the removal of which should engage the
head and heart of every philanthropist.-
While no two men could possibly differ as
| to the overwhelming desolations following
in the footsteps Of this giant destroyer, yet
| suppose. men might be permitted to differ
as to the best remedy for the evil. To that
class Of men who assert that there is but
one side to this question, that no man is
sincere in doubling the good effects of this
law, or honest in their opposition, | have
not one word to say; the truth is, men that
assume positions Of the kind, are men Of
such slender minds aud staunch bigotry,
that the-lttle capacity they have is so over
charged with prejudice, that there is no
room for argument. But, sir, there is a
class Of persons that are willing to investi-
gate this subject, look at il in all its bear
ing, are not afraid of the light, that come
up with manly argument, and are willing to
submit their cause to that Of reason. And
here, sir, allow me to refer to one class of
arguments that give me no light on this
subject. Those demonstrations and unkind
inyectiYes, that are constantly indulged in
by the friends of this particular bill, with
all its singular deformities, have no effect
to do away with objections in my mind
| But, sir, this is the kind of entertainment
/ to which we are evidence-because We at
tempt TO amend the bill, to strip it Of its
Obiectional features, its unconstitutional
clauses, because we try to bring it fairly be-
fore the people, to ascertain their views up
on the real question, they are pleased TO term
US enemies To the measure, and deaf 10 the
cries of suffering humanity. II Is strange
that men will always judge others BY them
selves. A man oi cold sel6shness, Of base
and corrupt motives, being always under
the guidance Of wicked and intriguing prin
ciples, will always judge and view Othsrs
thiOugh the black medium OF his own mo'al
vision, Does il follow that because a man
is an enemy Of all intempennce, he must br
friend of this particular bill Is il u mat
Ter of course, that because man is in favor
of law, 10 prohibit all trade in intoxicating
liquor, he must bs in favor Of all the horrid
enactments Of this laWl As well might
you call a man an enemy Of the whole hu>
man race, because be hates the canibal pros
pensilies Of certain beings called human.
Genllempn assert there is but one side 10
this question, or that there is all Of benevo-
lence, trulh and humanity on The one side,
and on the other side the sordid love of gain
aud liquor. But, sir, let us look and see
if there are not two sides 10 this question.
And here, sir, will say that have but
hule confidence in that virtue that IS legis'
lated into men. have seen nothing inl
those compulsory reforms, that leads me 10
admire them. You may bring an out sid
pressure to bear upon man, and compel
him 10 do right, while his motives are all
criminal but il you convince him, and lead
him to ac, right from high and sacred sense
OF daty, you throw around that man a wall
stronger than iron feuers, grated windows.
or bolted prison doors; YOU have taken hold