, 1854-04-29
Remarks Of llr. Strong

va lhc HlolloH " lhuCHul'Vly PoNtPuhV NV
Prohbitory Liquor Law. Mr.. Strong said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: | did not intend to say
but one single word upon this Maine Ii
quor Law, and that word was to be AYE, T"
when called upon to vote on the final pass
age of this bill. But, sir, | find some OF
its friends are now falling from its support,
while its enemies are arraying all their for
ceS, and bringing all the guns in their pos
session to bear upon the wall we have COM
mcnced, and which We hope to continue
building, despite all its opposition, until we
shall have wall long enough, high enough,
and strong enough, to cncircle our bcauii-
ful Territory, and protect it against the
most blighting curse that ever has, or ever
can, come within its borders. will not for
IL moment attempt to show that intoXica-
ting liquors are public uuisancc, curse
10 our TcrritOry-it is so selfcyident, that
no man will pretend to deny it. But, sir,
let us gather some of their balls, that have
been so freely hurled at us, and examine
them. 1t will not consume much time, for
out of the many that have been discharged
at us, but two have reached US. The first
We find just outside our wall 1t was
thrown bySa gun of large calibre--one
worthy ball Of harder metal. 1t was
hurled with great force, but being Of soft
metal, was fiattencd upon the wall and fcll'
We pick it up, and find bad policy, I'M
polite" inscribed upon it. No wonder it
lattened, sir. 'Tis an argument that
would always natten and fall, when arrayed
against any national evil, producing degra-
dation, misery, and death. 'TiS an argu-
ment that could never prevail against re-
moving a public nuisance, when paupcrism
aud crime can be brought against it, and
who will deny the fact that an ovcrwhelm-
ing amount may be brought in this instance.
But, sir, let the people decide this question.
Let them say whether it is impolitic or not:
let them either build up or tear down the
wall and sir, if it falls, there let it lie
But, Mr.. Speaker, there is spent ball ly-
ing but short distance from us. Let us
examine that. 'Tis very large one, and
of exceedingly hard metal, and was thrown
by gun of tremendous calibre. We roll
it over, aud find inscribed upon it " uncon-
stitutional." Thank heaven, sir, this ball
did not have powder sufficient behind it to
make it quite reach US, for, sir, had it hit
us fairly, it would not have left ono stone
standing upon another. The powder used
upon this occasion, was composed OF the
decisions Of the Supreme Courts OF some
OF the States, upon questions thought to
be analogous to this law. may be very
dull OF comprehension, sir, but l must con-
fess | could see no analogy between the
cases referred to-, and this law. will not
review those decisions, but simply ask, what
better proof of the constitutionality of this
law do we wish, than the fact that it is now
in full force in Maine, Vermont, aud Mas
sachusetts, and that terms of their Supreme
Courts have been held since it went into o.
peration, and have mol pronounced 1t un-
constitutional. Had there been the least
chance-the least probability of its being
so pronounced-would not its bitter enc
mics (and we know their name is legion, }
have taken this question before those courts,
that they might pronounce against it, and
thus restore to them their LIBERTY, ami al
low them again to manufacture and sell the
accursed drugg 1t seems to me, sir, that
these amendments were thrown in to divide
its friends, and thus carry this motion to
indefinitely postpone" which, of course,
kills the bill. But, sir, wish it to go be-
fore the people, even as it is, and If they
say "no prohibitory liquor law" l will
cheerfully submit to their decision.
Mr.. CRosBlE said he was rather amused
at the gentleman from Pacific. He never
expected to find him two consecutive days
in the same position. He strongly remind
ed him of the Irishman's description Of IL
aea--"put your finger on the cretur and
sure and he wasn't there" Yesterday he
told him that he should vote for the amend
ment-he could not vote for the bill, as the
law as framed was clearly illegal Last
evening in this hall he asked one Of its ar
dent advocates if he could possibly deem
the clog on the right Of appeal constitu-
tional, and several other questions Of like
import, and to-day he makes a complete
summerset. His political principles are
certainly gutta percha. He gets up with
GOODNESS that is to be admired, considering
his recent conversion, and makes a regular
artillery speech great guns and small
arms with adamantine walls thrown in by
way of fertilization. The gentleman had
made such warlike demonstration, that he
could not help fearing that when the smoke
cleared away so as to get fair view of the
field of battle, all the opponents would be
found either killed or wounded Wasn't
any body hurt He could not help giving
the gentleman piece Of advice in bis new
profession, the artillery soldier" and that
was, in making up cartridges not to put in
mustard seed for grape shot
p~J. w. SULLIvAN's newspaper Office,
San Francisco, has furnished US literally
with late papers by the last mail. The IA