Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-03-23
letter from Mr.. Hoppin.

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PRovipENcE, March I4lh, 1854.
A. G. BARsrow, Eco. dear SIR
I have the pleasure to acknowledge The
receipt this evening OF your note Of this
date, in wh,rh you remark 'Ihat the
friends Of Temperance who have put
| you In nomination Tor Governor viii
hold a special convention at ten O'Clock
TO morrow At WestminI'ter Hall, and
hope It will be both agreeable and cUn-
venien, tor you TO meet them II may
not be In my power to meet tho gentle
men ol the Convention personally to-
morrow, and | must beg your indul.
gence while | cndeavor in II lew words
TO state my views and feeIIngs on th"
great qucs oh Of reform which will "a,
stisu.e the topic Of their deliberations.
As next to the will Of God, the good oi
society 10 the ultimate basis Of all legis.
IatIon, that which, in the calm wisdom
Of free people is deemed essential TO
tho g 'od Of society, ! hold to be true
legislation. Morals become the proper
subec, for legislation when they truly
effect the interests OF society, Tor socie-
ty has a right to secure ils own safety
and well being.
Public sentiment in a free country ,cx-
pressing itself in d legal manner, is the
proper Judge Of the tact whethe. or when
anything OF moral character truly al
fects the interests Of society. On these
general principles, conceiving that pub
lie opinion has expressed i,se I fairly on
the subject OF the social, moral evil OF
insempcrance, and has legally won Tor
itself a partial remedy in u prohlbitory
law, which law the public OPINION has
also legitimated.. am in favor OF the
main principle OF that law. The main
principle is the prohibition Of the sale Of
intoxicating liquors for a beverage. l
am in iavo., also. OF all legal and wise
methods oi carrying out this main pr;n.
ciple Of the law. ! perceive that saga.
cious, calm and truly statesmanlike
minds both in this country and in the
Old World are regarding this principle
OF prohibition in relation TO the sale Of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage. with
great favor and interest Iii has attract
ed even the attention Of governments.
The grea, evils resulting from in,em.
perance in the Stale ot Rhode Island,
need not point out /; the police repo Is Of
our towns, the reports OF societies ior
reform, the courts and the jarls are the
truest sources Of information. While
therefore az a Christian man and sin
cere lover Of the best interest OF the
people feel il to be my duty and privi'
lege to advocate and establish (so far
as my feeble efforts will allow tn, prin-
cip!ss ofa prohibltory law, l hold IN
Hexlbly TO other no less prominent, wise
and conservative republican ideas. That
government 10 for the good and protec.
ton Of all-That Legislation should be
for the permanent prosperity and elcva.
ton OF the psople-That national Terri
torial properly 10 sacred and not TO be
intrenched upon-Tha, the area OF sla-
very should be confined to ito narrowest
constitutional limi,s-That national il
dustry should he steadily and efficiently
proiee,ed-That the constituuonality ol
law and the independence Of the Jldlci.
ary should be ever strictly mainlained-
Tha, each Of the three departments into
which the powers Of the Government
are distributed by the Constitution
should be restrained W thin ito own Inn
its-That reform in Law should al lways
proceed ,n its proper legal channels
That all legislation which does not aim
to promote the general good, irrespec-
tive Of party, should be firmly opposed.
Thus, my dear sir, you have the Oft
hand declaration Of my political creed,
a mere skeleton, but sufficient perhaps
TO satisfy yourself and others concerning
the principles which 1 maintain aud the
platform on which | stand.
With sentiments Of high consideration
aud regard, I am, very truly, your friend
and obedient servant,
WILLIAM w. HOPPIN.