The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-04-27

PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Me- FpIroR:-On last Saturday the candi-
dates for Floater and Representative SHIELD
forth" at the battalion muster ground, in the
l4th civil district Of this county. l.. X. Hurst
was speaking when | arrived, and learn ID
from his remarks that J e.. Carlock had open.
ed the discussion, aud declared himself in IA
vor of a Prohibitory LiqnOr Law, to be sub
mitted TO the people for. their ratification or
rejection.
Mr. Hurst seemed very much excited, and
vehementlv and Indignantly denounced pro
hibition as Unconstitutional and unseriptur
al" and challenged any Minister of the Cos
pei to discussion of the subject. ] very re-
spsetfully suggest that Nr. Hurst write out
his Scriptural arguments against prohibition
and publish them, for thu especial edlicatiOn
aud instruction Of our most learned ana pious
ministers, VIII are CROPPING their way in dark
ness aud error, and leading their unsuspect-
ing hoeks nstray, If prohibition is wrong and
unscriptLral, as Mr. Hurst asserts.
Mr.. Hurst also asserted That We could not
"eaforce II moral precept by law" aud gave
an example from Scripture in the passage
which reads, "He that looketh on woman
To lust after her, h til committed adultery IN
his heart already" aud with triumphant
air he exclaimed, "No law can prevent a man
from INDUCING his lusts in that way unless
you prohibit the woman!" The friends of
prohibition do not expect TO prevent men
from usting aud desiring 10 destroy the souls
and bodies Of their neighbOIs, by selling them
liquor but when men are gality of selling the
accursed poison. which causes widows To weep
and orpeans to cry for bread, then we desire,
ana in justice can demand, a stringent law to
punish the offenders. Ii we cannot enforce
u moral precept by law, why does Mr.. Hurst
not advocate the total repeal Of all laws
which pro.,ibit immoral conduct
II ProhibitOry Liquor Law is unconstitu-
tional, as Mr.. Hurst asserts, and has been 50
decided by the Supreme Courts oil the differ
ent States, and of the United States, Is 1T not
strange-passing strang-that so many large
and Respectable states have passed such laws
and are daily enforcing thend have yet to
learn that an unconstitutional law can be
enforced.
III the conclusion of Mr.. Hurst's remarks
he strongly intimated that the freemen OF
Tennessee would not submit to a Prohibtory
Liquor Law. consider that gross insult to
the intelligent, patriotic and republican citi.
zens of Tennessee The noble gallant and
chivalrous sons of Tennessee will never tar
nish their fair fame by avowing the odious
aud abominable doctrine Of nulliiicationl-
n!sied be tile tongue that would counsel,
and the arm that is raised in open defiance to
the laws Of the landl
John f. Power announced himself ds can
didate for Floater, and read quite handsome
speech in favor of Know Nothlngism aid
against Prohibition. lie discussed both gu 8.
lions quite reasonably. and with considerable
ability.
j. b. Cobb, Esq. followed him, declared
himself candidate for Floater, also, and said
if the contest was for "beauty," he should
get" his competitor. lie briefly discussed
the questions, introduced by Alr. Power, but
| confess that | am unable to locate HIM on
either of them. The Squire is young, modest
and anassuning, and manifested great eau
ton in defining his positions; but perhaps he
NAV acquire more confidence and boldness ms
the canvass advances, and prove an ugly
customer" in spite Of his Handsome facepr
OLD WHITLEY.