The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-05-02

ixDsAHAPoIIs, April 10, 1856.
DEAR SIR: II 10 a cause for rejoicing that
the friends Of temperance have so far sue.
ceeded in their endesvors for the suppression
of the traffic in ardent spirits, az to have OBJ.
tanned from the last Legislature stringent
Prohibitory Liquor Law. 80 fsr we have
gained much, but not all that 10 essential for
:he consumption of the hopes of the friends
Of the cause.
In every stage of the temperance reforma.
ton the greet inquiry has been, "What will
best advance the cause, and most speedily
gain the deeired endl Each period has pun.
ished different answer to every other. And
it was natural and right that il should be 90.
At one period very different fundamentally
was required from another. In the earlier
stages, powerful appeals to the public mind
on the extent and evils Of intemperance, were
needed from the live orator. that men might
be reused from the lethargy. and compelled
to turn their attention to remedy. In the
Washingtonian movement, the thing needed
was to awaken hope in the breast OF every
miserable inebriate, and hope in his wretched
family, and cause him once more to sta nd up.
on his feet as q man. II was the relation of
experience that was to advance the cause.
The Sons of Temperance, as they saw the
reformed men too frequently ullured from
their stesdfastness, thought tbs one thing
needful was the organization Of one great
Brotherhood, which would spread over them
the shield of protection, relieve and comfort
them in the huor Of sickness, and carry them
sale from the wiles OF the tempter to their
eternal home. But we passed all these things
and became convinced that the one great
thing demanded was the extirpstioD OF the
traffic BY human laws. Moral suasion had
done its work. II had pleaded the cause 90
persuade men to do what was right; law was
needed to compel men to desist from doing
what was wrong. To effect The passage of
such law, we directed our energies. as the
only hope Of the Temerance enterprise. In
this We succeeded, but il is not all that 10 to
be done. Many think it enough that We
have the law. But the bare enactment ofthe
law is worthless, without something further.
We must have the enforcement Of the law.
This 10 the great thing which we shall need
in the future. All other things have had
their day. To speeches, lecturers, tales,
statistics, appeals, organizations, points. Of
lose and gain, we have become. to use u com.
mon expression, "Gospel hardened" We
now need something hey that
the people will feel-something that must be
complied with, and that shall put the entire
matter ut rest. This, then, is the great
point to DO kept before the people-ths en-.
! forcen,ent of the law we have succeeded in
having enacted. Upon it's enforcement de-.
ponds it's permanency and value. Men re-
spect and obey the law just so far as il is en-
forced, and no farther. The perfect ability,
as well right of enforcement, cannot be
questioned, after what We have seen in other
states Of the Union. The vendors all expect
l its enforcement, and cannot believe that men
who, for years, have SO Iaboriously toiled, aud
made such sacrifices for the law, will, alter
they have gained il, be driven by ihreass from
that purpose, or sit down in soft indulgence,
as it their whole work was accomplished.
IREPARE TO MEET THE Law.
Take the initiative step--consult with
your former co.laborers rs 20 the most desir.
able course to secure prompt and et6cien,
enforcement OF the law against any and ali
offenders. Let meetings be called in every
township of your county, and numerous
delegates sent to a county convention. -
Organise what we know in NJ sine and New
York as "Curson Leagues, where bonds
for large amounts are given. aad upon which
a tax Of one quarter or one-haIf per cent, ID
levied, IL necessary, TO engage the abiesi
counael for the prosecution OF offenders, be.
fure the magistrates and courts having juris
diciion Of the law, and to meet esery expense
necessary for its enforcement. Let il be
known in your resolutions and speeches thai
the unanimity with which the law was pass.
Ii -. Az 49, Ill
ties, in tho last Legislature proves concln.
1, siveiy that II 10 demanded BY . large majority
3 OF the people in this Stste-rises above oil
party consideratioas--and refutes the oft.re.
pested declaration Of its enemies, that Tho
: enactment OF such law would be in def
. ance Of the wishes Of large msjority of the
people; and that It IL emphstiaaily the work
ing mans friend, and the poor mans protec
!, tor. Obtain al attendance at your consen
ton, IL possible. of the Judges magistrates
. mayors, marshals, eheriffs, constsbles. cor.
Q oners, and prosecuting attorneys. and have
3 them define their position. and let il BE-
known IL they are for or against the enforce
ment Of the law. Let those magistrates
. aud ell other officers, who avow or chow ,
determination to enforce the law. know tina
they will DO sustained. and that they will BE-
!. suPpo''eu ""u oe'e"ueo dt ai' hazards' aht
: TO The utmost extremity of your power an,
ability. Let those members OF the Legisla
ture who llbcred and voted for the psssag.
= OF the law. know that they will be held il
grateful remembrance; and that their actor
= receives your cordial appreciation. That III.
Governor in approving the law, has perform
: ed work that will send thrill OF Joy an,
giadness to many rum. cursed family, ant
) restore prosperity and happiness to many ;
scattered and ruined household.
Urge BY all means ia your power the PEG
pie to whom has been given this blessed en-
/ actment, TO come to your help against tn
e enemy. Show yourselves to be men, apt