Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-05-11

uIce on account OF the place 0l us origin. " Ian
any good thing come out Of Nazareth" has not
ceased to be proycrb even among those who are
" Isrealites indeed, in whom there is no guile"
This variety of opinion is not confined TO any par
ticular locality, because from the nature Of tic law
il does not affect any particular territorial interest
The trade in liquor is not a monopoly possessed by
one section to the exclusion OF another, and the
manufacture is carried on in any locality where the
people may regard it their interest TO engage in IT.
The evils, moreover, which it pTopos's TO correct,
arc coextcnsivc with tho territorial limits of the ma
ton. Such being the case then the law cannot be
productive Of sectional parties, but must excite
general interest, and receive appreciation or incur
rcproach according to the varied interests the con-
ctinr political opinions and different views OF moral
responsibility among the people of this mighty Re-
public. The mind of the writer, in common with
others, has been attracted to the subject, and in the
exercise Of common right and by fhe aid OF Tree
and independent press, he sends forth this express
siun of his views In doing this, no Intentional
offence will be given. Mutual respect for opinions
and feelings should always be observed by those
who engage in the discussion Of questions that arc
TO be determined by moral reason. The man who
condemns and abuses another lor honestly entertain
inc an opinon different from his own, has not yet
mastered the elements Of true liberty. We say
this Of course not in regard TO opinions that are
known to be subvcrsve Of good order, or in any
way dangerous to the peace and welfare OF the COM
munity But we say it in respect to measures Of
doubtful utility; subjects on which good men ana
true patriots and christians honestly differ. think
it is maxim of logic, and surely it is dictate Of
common sense. never to assume position TO be cor
rect and then cast about for proof to subst"nate
it. Let US then in the examination OF this subject,
cndeavor to receive as true, only that to which
fair induction leads u.s.
In regard TO the consunnaity OF legislative
act for the suppression Of the manufacture and trade
in Ardent Spirits, in the absence OF any express
provision, we must determine the matter py an en-
quiry into general principles. What then is the
object Of constitutional government The pre-
ambc to the constitution Of the United States, de-
clares it to be to establish justice, insure domestic
TRANQUILITY, promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our postcr-
tyn Would the suppression then os the liquor
traffic, violate any of the principles here enumcr-
atcd7 Would it abolish justce3 Would it endan-
ger domestic tranquility? Would it hinder the
general welfare, or deprive us and our posterity Of
the blessings of liberty? We put it to candid,
thinking and free people, whether the passage Of an
anti-liquor law would bring upon US any oil these
evils, and VIC leave them to decide the question.
In the second place. what would be the effect OF
such law upon trade9 Now it is not denied that
the government may derive large revenue from
the Importation of liquors nor is it denied that
considerable income arises from the sale of licenses.
But we question very seriously whether the amount
realized by tariff and taxation is not cancelled b. the
expenses incurred in the support Of paupcrs, aims
houses, orphan and lunate asyums, jals, penitent-
aries and criminal prosecutions, not to speak OF losses
sustained by inccndiarsm and dcncss, together
with long train Of diseases, ana all the result,
directly or indirectly, of the use of Ardent Spirits
things that never would have happened but for the
existence of liquor Admitting this to be true, land
we think it can be sustained by statistical rcports,)
there is no pccuniary advantage TO be gained by the