The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-27
MIR. {. R. Buckalew's speech; /;
coNTiNUEp FROM FIRST PAGE.
1.-THE LIQUOR QUESTION. ]

sion, was that of Prohibition and law was
passed 10 abolish licensed Hotels after the
irst day of October, Of the prssent year.-
This Act is commonly known as the jug
Law" and believe il to be ubjustifable and
unwise. II commences wrong for any SEN
sible purpose. of restraint, by striking down
Hotels while leaving other aud more PERM.
cious establishments in existence, whereas
the very contrary of this should have been
done, and might have been done with equal
ease and with more effective results. 1t ap.
pears unequal and inequitabls, in it's disssim.
ination among those engaged in selling Liq-
uors; infictiug pecuniary loss and injury up
on one class Of dealers, and none whatever
upon others, but rather extending their prof
its and privileges. 1t awakens the whole
force of opposition in the State. to changes in
the laws relating 10 Liquors, while it is al
best only partial, imperfect, and doubtful
triumph to the principle of restraint. It is
badly, clumsy constructed, and will natural.
ly provoke litigation and dispute. And i. is
weak in any foundation of public opinion
upon which to resi-, being passed in appa-
rent contempt of the popular vote of 1854.
This act, and the act Of 9Th May, 1854, are
quite unlike in spirit aud principle. Both
are in restraint of the privilege of sale; both
are intended TO strike at abuses and lessen
existing evils both invoke the aid of the ju-
dicial power and require the assistance of
public opinion in The attainment Of their OBJ
jecls. But in olher respects they are wide
ly dssimlar. The act of 1854 is we'll de-
! scribed in lis title as An Act 10 protect cor
tain domestic and private rights and prevent
| abuses in The sale and use Of intoxicating
drinks" and is both conservative and reme-
dial |, protects rights founded in the do
mestic relations while il strikes at abuses
that require eradication, and il makes prop
er distinction between different classes of
persons who do not stand in the same posi-
ton before the law. Nothing is clearer than
The right Of society 10 provide specially for
its weak, incapable, vicious and unfortunate
members. Hence the education of the young,
the support ofpaupers, the inceraion of Grim
irals and the care Of the insane. P roceeding
therefore upon settled principles, tho act of
1854 declares il a crime, punished by fine
and imprisonment, to wilfully furnish intox-
ealing liquors 10 min ors, 10 the insane, 10
persons OF known incorporate habits, and 10
those who are intoxicated in short, TO all
who are necessarily incapable of exercising
an intelligent judgment, and who require
protection against the arts, avarice. or folly
of others. And because the reason Of the
enactment goes TO that extent, furnishing in
any way-"by gift, sale, or otherwise" is
forbidden.
But The case is greatly different as 10 those
who have attained to years Of discretion, and
who labor under no mental incapacties ari
sing from their own act or the visitation OF
Providence. Such are TO be a law unto
themselves" where the rights of others are
not involved, and their praise lie TO conslsl in
the just exercise of tteir freedom.
If this distinction be not admitted, know
moi where the interference of government
with individuals is to stop; what department
of conduct is TO be exempt from invasion, or
what barrier of reserved right remains TO the
citizen. Government becomes thing odds.
cret,on, without boundaries 10 its action or
Limitation of lis powers. Constitutional re-
sraints even, stand no longer upon princi-
pie, but are degraded into arbitrary arrange
ments which may be swept away at any mo-
ment without wounding any principle OF
right. For, if the just powers of government
relate TO grown men and 10 those who are
free from mental disabilities, in the same
manner and 10 The same extent as TO infants
and the insane if distinction in The laws be-
tween various kinds of population rest in dis
cretion and expediency alone, all classes and
conditions of men may be subjected, without
violation of right, to the restraints of infants
aud imbeciles-in short, 10 abject despolism
Similar in.spiril to the act of 1854, in the
particular mentioned, are .hose provisions in
the laws of the United States, which, treat
ing the Indians as the wards of the govern
ment-as persons in state of 2upilage, mi.
nority and pendencs-inhibit the supply
ing them with liquors by traders and govern
merit agents. And to the same purpose is
the judgment OF Plato, that young men should
not taste wine until eighteen. and afterwards
should use il with moderation until thirty
| (The Laws, Is. II. C. l0.)
Another feature Of the act Of '54 is,that any one
violating lha, or any other act in pari maisria
shall be civilly responsible in damages for
injuries to person or property, resulting from
such violation, and that whether the injury
be intended and foreseen by him or not
This provision, borrowed in substance, though
not in form, from law of Wisconsin, is so
plainly just that it requires neither explana-
tion or defence. |! is like the law which at
taches guilt to homicide committed by accl.
den, aud wilhou, intention, 10 the prosscu-
iion Of distinct crime and il simply affords
remedy, TO one suffering an injury, against
him who has really caused it.
Other provisions Of the act, against adult.