The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-27

- - ~ A~"e oeJoett ohy WheecN-
er for the observation of the Sabbath are JUS
tifiable, which is not subject of dispute
Those engaged in selling liquors cannot OBJ
ject TO being placed under the same rules
that apply TO other business pursuits.
voted against submitting the question of
prohibition TO popular vote, believing that
,hv Legislature should meet the subject in
I'D of avoiding il. This mode of action is
exceedingly seductive, and is not to be en-
couragsd. If a member is unwilling to face
difficult or delicate question, he ough, to
retire and permit his place to be filled by
one who will not weigh his personal interests
or popularity, against the performance of
public duty.
These remarks embrace the several acts
of general nature relating TO the Liquor
question, which have passed within few
years, and indicate my own course upon
them. think something remains to be done;
that the end is not yet, and that public a,ten-
tion is therefore properly awake and conlin-
ued 10 the subject. Many regret that such
subjects should arise, producing as they do
strong passions and violent contests, and US.
ee as they are by bad men for selfish and
sinister purposes. confess 10 contrary
feeling. ! think it refreshing in public life
to GO, occasionally beyond the jingle of mon i.
ey, into The consideration Of questions that
are rot judged exclusively by tables of prof
i, and loss, and that are instructive as involv-
ing inquiry into tine best Jurisdiction, prlnci-
pies and powers of government. And their
discussion will do good-Truth will gain by
it--Opinion will be corrected, or when al
ready just, on6rmed-Abuses will be struck
down, or mitgated, and real advances made
in good government.
Controversy upon Prohibition has made
us familiar with existing abuses, and pro-
duced the act of 1854 and the Sunday law;
and should induce the extirpaiion Of that
brood of vicious establishments, not in the
nature oi Hotels, that have sprung up, par.
ticularly in cities, towns and mining districts,
and along lines of public improvement in
their very nature productive OF idleness, dis
sipation and excess. To this purpose, slrin.
gent, positive provisions of law, and repea
of the Johnston act Of ls4s, are requisite
The Philadelphia system Of 1s49, also
should be avoided, and throughout the Stale
the principle Of judicial control over all es.
Establishments of sale, solidly established.
Absolute Prohibition lis impraclcabIe.-
There stands in its way, Public Opinion, Con.
stitutional Provisions, The Experience of 9th
er Countries and Times. and the Principles
Of Free Action, which are the foundation Of
Moral Responsibility. The first of these is
shown BY the vote of 1854; the second, by
judicial decisions the third by history, and
for illustration of the last, send the inqui-
rer 10 John Milton, justly numbered among
the profouudest of authors and tine Creates
of men.-[See Motel
KNow-NoTHINGIsM.
During the last year there grew up, or at.
!ained mature strength, new political or
ganza,on, which found on my return aflel
an absence of some months, installed ID The
Legislature and executive department Of oul
State government lis objects, character and
action, are now known; for the charm of its
novelty and secrecy has passed, and it has
been tried by the severest test TO which Q
party can be subjecied--I mean, conducting
the administration of public affairs.
l understand the Two maa doctrines of this
party TO be, antagonism to foreigners and to
Roman Catholics. 1t is obvious at glance,
that the organization rests upon popular pas.
sions, infammable and extensive that it ap.
peals powerfully 10 tie selfish and exclusive
propensiies of our nature, and TO deep root
ed religious antipathies in other countries
found adequate 10 deluge whole communi.
ties IN fire and blood. Immense numbers
of sincere and honest men joined in move.
ment, seductive because il enlisted their pas
sions, and plausible because presented upon
grounds OF patriotism and the public welfare
II was suddenly discovered that great peril
a deadly danger-too great for description and
therefore 10 be explored by the imagination
-hHpohuoo O'St ahN that Jul bdlol1
consisted in speedy organization againsi the
emigrant OF northern Europe and the religion
of Italy. And there was presently gathered
for this new cru sade (not 10 recover holy
sepulchre from paynim desecralion, but te
oslracise and degrade part of our own pop
ulation,) elements so inoongruous; such {
union of craft and simplicity fanaiicism anc
terror; ambition, malice, and misled homes
ty, that its description would require the pen
Gil Of Hogarh, or the genius of Burke. The
Legislatures of Massachusetts and Pennsy
vania, and the Mayor and Councils Of Phila
delphia, have given us practical results. ant
che that runs may read" the humiliating bu
instructive lesson.
II is useless, al the outset, to argue the
questions that underlie such movement
for logic is thrown away upon the passions
and can only be heard after they have subsi
ded. But time brings all things TO their jus
level iL intellectual inquiries, and enables
reason to re-asser her empire over the hu