The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-04-07
Che Controuersialist.
For The Cecil Wing.
A PROHlBITORE LAW.

Mr.. EDITOR A few corrections are ncces.
sary in at Ms" last letter. lie makes me
uEgentlemanly in my remarks: had he adj
dressed ne politely he would have found me
receiving him courtcou,ly; but when he com
mandcd me as master would a valet, felt
myself in no way bound to show him defer
cncc. If man + harshncss amounts to i'm
prudence he should not complain if he is not
respected.
BY referring to IT Ms first letter in
The Wing, (Jan'ry 18Th, it will be seen he
pounced on me for doubling the insufficient
cy of the Law. supposed he was going to
show me was in error; and as he thought |
had not canyasScd the bearings of the law
in other States" inferred he would do so.
Of that we shall say more hereafter.
He asked III his first letter would tho
fashionable in the face Of law dare to manli-
facture and vend ardent spirits!' This
question implies that the law could stop not
only its sale, but also its manufacture. Why
did he not provc!that such things could be
accomplished by law? And in his letter of
Tcb'ry 18th he declared the minority would
be obliged to obey the law, no matter what
their predictions might be against it. The
evidence to establish this assertion is all that
he needs to establish his position and confuto
mine. lie charges me with personality: he
has the least right to complain Of that-and
intlmatcs that every one knows how well ]
confined myself to the question. With him,
what is the question? He will not now
prove what he commenced to talk about; if
any one knew what he really was talking
about; but must prove his new premises arc
incorrect. That's new code of clivalry. |
would follow him TO his his skulking retreat
and give him battle upon the constitutional
ty of the law; but what satisfaction is there
in arguing with one incapable Of an argu-
mtnt ono whose highest ambition and ut
most capacity is TO cavil aud blcnch ard
throw out borrowed eplthets. 10 hunt him
is Troublesome; the provoking swamp mud
must be endured in following him to his re-
treat; and then We have no evidence that he
would not beg some new point otlssuc.
would have no hesitation to discuss with him,
if he would do so gallantly; but do not
like to contend with an ungcncrous advcr.
sary.
lie says ii was plain to be seen that was
mo friend to Prohibition, though ] subse-
qucntly declared | was SC. Now that
untrue and he ought to know it: and be-
lcvc he does know it.. said | would be
pleased to see it swept from the earth; and
that no law but that Of sentiment could do 1t;
clearly meaning the law of the heart, or OF
tional sovereign will. There ares great many
things would wish to sec abolished, but not
hy statute law or legislative codes. | would
love to see adulcratcd liquors discontinued
and pure juice Of the grape used as subsl-
tutc, for the pure wine is not injurious. In
the wine growing districts Of Europe drunk
cnncss docs no characterize thcpcoplc though
winris freely drank. would love to sec the
foolish fashions Of the age abolished but not
by law. Public opinion is the only law that
made them and 1t is the only law that can
abolish them. Ind so too uith drinking.
There is Prohibtory Law now in force
against the ercess1rc indulgence in any aIlo,rd-
bic blessing. 1t is the law of Physiology
law of health. Anything can become an
evil by its improper use; which is generally
called its abuse. No greater law can be
enacted than is now in full force against
drunkenness. The Divine Law, social pro-
scription: and personal and domestic ruin;
are all in full force against the drunkard-
and also the glutton. If reason wont induce
HIM to attend to his own interest, Temper
ance nquisitors cannot There is no law
that can compel me to drink, for dctclmn-
cd | would not Let that be universal dc.
termination and the wholesale sweep is made
at once to it. Whenever you can say by la"
shall drink and force me to do 50 against
my wish, that same influence reversed will
prevent ollc iibtA WIZ Nahlo Y,
drink. My Protibitory Lar is the tt
rritten on the heart, which the sword or can
non cannot pcrrail ogoinA. | leave you tc
lind out my private opinion about the law as
lest you can; I can prove that have made
pccuniary sacrifices for Temperance, per
haps quite as much as you ever did, ~. M. .
am in no way interested in the sale of it
nor do I drink intoxicating liquors of any
sort. I think myselfa lover of the veal o.
men, and if am opposed to your hobby OIL
not is a question for you to answer. One
thing certain my letters have not said so.
would not torture the English Language te
prove that my letter which you attempted te
carve. mas a Temperance letter: but an enthu
siast assailed it, and l like to see a hot sp,,
cooled doun. | admire that bold independence
which you boast Of and do accept youl
premises standing on the negative side bu
l have the privilege ofsaying how the debate
shall be conducted, of which you shall b,
notified. And when we enter the arena upon
the Con%ttut'onality Of the Lar. upon the
identical premises which you have chosen
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