Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-04-14

entire. No conslrsining law would be need
ed. Whatever he found desirable upon or
beneath The eartb's surface, he might oppro-
pirate TO bis own use unquestioned and right
fully. But where myriads dwell together,
scarce one Of these native rights can be ex-
ercised in full, without injury or ANNOYANCE TO
one or more Of his companions. For the sake.
therefore, not merely of peace, but even of
cxs,ence as society, men are obliged to
Adopt rules restrictive OF the individuals orig
inal rights. The hest legal code is that,
which best conserves the common peace and
order with the smalles. possible restraint on
those prerogatives, which the individual would
possess, If absolutely solitary in the world.
at is worse than madness, then to object to
a law that it infinges the individuals origin
al rights, for Just this do all laws The chief
questions to put touching proposed law are,
is it suited to secure the greatest good Of the
greatest number'-and do the evils it is 6t-
ted to cure, arrest or prevent, vastly outweigh,
in their Importance to the great mass Of the
community, the incidental, temporary evils it
may possibly occasion 10 few individuals? !?
If n law can triumphantly abide these tests,
We have not only the right to enact it, but we
are solemnly. most imperatively bound to en-
act il by the very fundamental principles
whereon society rests.
Now how does the liquor law--or more
strictly a liquor law--abide these tests? To
ourselves there seems scarcely other than one
side 10 the question. To prohibit soap-boil-
cry in the city on account Of its noisome odors,
and suffer hundreds of groggeries to stand
open through the twenty-four hours OF each
of the seven week days, at every corner and
| in every street, alley and court, injecting
childhood, youth. maturity and age OF either
sex, with disease. poverty, vice, crime, mad
ness, and the universal ruin and destruction
alike of body and soul is an inconsistency so
I gross, SO glarng, that we despair Of signaliz.
ing it by name To interdict this univer.
sal, this unspeakaby awful desoation, an in
fringement Of individual liberty and rigbt?-
Then why, in consistency's name, prohibit
larceny, burglary, incendiarsm, robbery mur-
der? Yes, even murderl For what sh1d-
ow of comparison in enormity between extin-
gushing, by one scarce felt stroke, the life OF
the body, and by long protracted. unuttera-
BILE tortures killing the soul! Why infringe
the original rights Of the robber the assassin,
the ravsher? Be at least consistent in your
IlSw-making.
"But constitutional oJjections, say you p
II it be SO, amend your constitution, as you
have a perfect right 10 do and do not slum-
Der or rest ill you have done this A sweet
constitution that, which forbds those living
under it to adopt measures vital to their most
momentous interests and their very saliva
ton"
These are grave truths, and they cannot be
gainsayed. They are MS easily demonstrated
as a problem in mathematics. They nre wor-
thy the careful consideration of our own Leg
slature. Worthy, did we say? The voice o.
every philanthropist, every christian, aye, ev-
cry good citizen of the great State of Ohio
cries aloud for prohibitory liquor law. It's
millions Of tongues will never cease their i'm
portunlty. until their prayers are answered By
a law, which in all its details, will meet the
lexigencies of any case. The grave Legisla
tors may for time cease to note ibe throb.
bings of the public pulse. they may close
their ears ever SO tightly, but ere long il.
lhrobbings will be felt, their ears will be un
stopped, and the sovereignty cf the peopl,
be felt and acknowledged. Their cry is re
verberaling every where through the length
and breadth Of the land Give us the Maine
Law Give us the right to arrest, try, and
condemn, wherever it is found and used fol
wicked purposes Make it a witness against
itself Truth is mighty. and will prevail
God speed the right.