Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-07-28

upon the Advocates oil iegai proh'o'-
ton Of ardent spirits as beverage
The cry Of fool" fanatic" "disor-
Qaniser" has been echoed and re-echo-
ed. The conclusion is this. the OPP
ponents Of prohibition are driven to
the substitution OF sound for sense
are now endeavoring by a mad-dog
cry to deter. to lntimidate good men
from voting their honest sentiments.
And why this cry? We have
sought no extreme remedy in advance.
We have pelted the traffic with grass
and dirt. We have tried every mild
er form Of legislation and all has been
in vain. The rum-seller has laughed
every restraining" regulating stat
ute TO sccrn. He has devised means
to escape detection or punishment
There has been left no alternative
we must submit to the curse, or pro-
hibit it altogether.
We have sought no unconstitution-
al enactment. The highest court in
the land has decided the constitution
atty Of such law as we ask. The
authorities are so frequent that we
will not here quote them unless proof
il demanded and then we are ready.
Nor, have we asked any untried
remedy. We point to the legislation
Of Maine, Of Massachusetts, and 9TH
err states. The remedy we seek has
been tried. The people in no case
have gone back from it. They cling
TO IL devotedly and give increased
maiorities in its favor. They have
shown towards it in every possible
mode. their deep devotion and ardent
attachment to it, and the utmost con-
fdence in its practical workings.
Nor have we stolen a march upon
the people. We have sought no sur
prise. We have avowed our object
openly, have nailed our colors to the
mast-have proclaimed our sentiments
openly. orally and by the press. We
have made our issue in due time, and
give all chance to investigate, try,
condemn or approve.
We have known all the time that
we could have no success unless large
maiorities were on our side. that the
people must come to our opinion or we
must yield. We say this yet. The
ma1oity must rule. We have never
believed in the presumptions senti.
ments voz pcpuli, por del. But we
have ever believed the people to be
homes and disposed to do right. We
have also believed that they would
ultimately come around right. They
will do so on this question. But We
bow to their will. We seek no ad.
vance Law. We want such legisla'
ton as the people desire, and no Other
until they seek a change. II they
are disposed 10 try milder legislation i
win only delay prohibition. Il mas
come. They will see the sugar-coaied
pill won't do. They will next give The
pure article.
We seek this prohibition Mt the ex
pense Of no right Of man, human OF
divinel We challenge the traducers o
temperance men--the men who dea
90 glibly in such phrases as "lanaiic'
70 show one real right we seek to des
troy. Not one. We seek 10 serv,
human right and human happiness
We seek to shield the oppressed-t'
strengthen the weak--to save thos,
already almost lost. We seek to save
not destroy.
Then, why thus abused' Why thu
denounced Surely among those VIII
~ / prohlbitory law, are men VIII
have the right TO be heardl The,
have virtue, moral worth, and the,
aid in bearing the burdens Of govern
nenl. indeed they bear the create
portion Of them.
The abuse heaped upon them with
cut stint argues the fear Of their viii
hers. Men with an untenable caus
invariably lose their temper. The
cannot answer their opponents, bv
they can abuse them. Now. fello'
ei,isens. how long shall such abus
lasli And what shall be lis eHectY
BE IL what IL may. we say to ou
villlhers go on, but rest assured lhl
NO cannot be driven from our position
The hearty thousands who gath'
around the banner Of prohibition b,
lieve they are competent to reason.
Investigate"
They have not n single doubt b,
they are seeking constitutional rem,
dy Tor great evil. They are as ce
tain Of this. as Of any fact in all n
world. Hence they cannot
driven from their ground by mena'
or abuse. Such assaults only NAL
them feel martyr tire. and glow vii
martyr purpose. The assalS,ts unon n