The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-01
For the Polt.

inst, n communication under the head, "Pro.
hibition and Coercion" and signed as" j
beg to reply to some of its arguments. The
writer says:
"The manifest tendency of the teaching
and legislation Of prohibitionists wherever it
has developed itself, goes directly to contra
diet one of the most vital principles belong
ING to our institutions--that man is capable
Of self.government."
That majority of our citizens are capa-
BILE of self-government will readily admit,
but that all are capable of self.government
every man of common sense must deny
Tha. class of mankind who live in continued
violation of the laws of God and man, is no:
capable of self-government. Will any man
pretend to say that the drunkard, the thief or
the assassin, is capable Of selfgovernment!
No-when man is once initiated into vicious
and Incorporate habits he becomes insane to
some extent. He will gratify his carnal de-
sires, let the consequences be what they may
he is as destitute of selfgovernment as
the devil is of christianity. Mr.. S. says:
81 admonish the advocates of force or co.
ercion to beware what they are doing"
They are doing just wha: they have been
doing ever siGce the framing of the glorious
Declaration of Independence; and that is, to
force whatever moral suasion will not reach.
If moral suasion is to accomplish all things
for the best, all laws are useless. When diff
liculties were arising between the American
colonies ard England, moral suasion was first
resorted to till it was ascertained, by painful
experience, that justice could not be obtain.
ed in that way. Force was resorted to as the
only means of convincing England that the
rights of the coonists should be respected.
Of the happy result of coercion in that case,
it is unnecessary here to speak at length. Il
is enough to know that the proud flag OF
America now waves triumphantly over twen-
ty-fve or thirty millions of ireemen. But do
not let the devil deceive us MS to the applica-
ton of the names, Liberty and Freedom
These terms are not so extensive in their ap-
plication as to allow US to do otherwise than
right before God and man. .
Mr.. s. says: ...
"Iet me admonish you that moral suasion
and legal coercion cannot be brought to work
together"
Let me ask how are the laws of our land
executed! Do we not there see coercion, or
force and moral suasion, many times go hand
in hand The Judge on his seat admonishes,
persuades and enforces. The successful
schoomaster does precisely the same thing
in governing his school. Hence II is appa-
rent that legal coercion and moral suasion
must work together. Lay aside legal coer-
cion, and liberty will cease to be liberty and
become the watchword of the devil. As to
prohibition, moral suasion has accomplished
much, but in many cases has failed, and will
ever fail, MS in other cases of justice, morai-
ty and right. Legal coercion, kept in proper
bounds, must do its part When sanctioned
by majority none have the right to COM
plain. Let the friends of prohibition stand
firm and unshaken. The cause IS just and
HluSI SuCCttu, SUOutE bcs o'oiy
mans rights be respected-let reason, right
and prudence reign in every breast and gov.
ern every act--let tho ballot box tell the tale.
Then if the cause OF Temperance fails, We
patiently submit IL II succeeds, peace and
tranquility, prosperity and happiness will b
the reward of the aborers in the cause
Then, by mutual consent in most cases, grog
shops and still houses would soon be broken
up and schools and churches take their
places. Then will joy light the countenance
of many now hopeless and wretched. Then
will freedom boast her happy homo and true
liberty stand forth decorated with all tho
sparkling gems of greatness. y. ID. 8.
Charleston, Tenn, May 20, 1855.