The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-09-28
Opposition TO The LUG LAW 2

We make the lOflONtuS eAtidCt nom +
letter written by JUDGE WILKINS, the Demo-
cratic candidate for State Senate in Allegheny T
county, in opposition TO the infamous Liquor
Law which was passed by the Know Nothing
Legislature last winter, and goes into effect on
Monday next. Would space permit, We would
delight to lay the entire letter before our rea-
ders. as II contains the honest sentiments OF
man who has lived long enough TO be thorough
ly acquainted with the subject which be discus
ses-who has sat for many years on the Bench,
and tested the utter mpractibility of severe Pc
nal enatcments, which bear no just proportion
to the magnitude Of the offence which they un-
dertake to create and punish. The Prtsburg
Union, speaking in reference TO this letter, says
of Judge w that be is man who has lived
beyond his three score years and ten, mingled
much in society, passed through an active career
of varied service both at home and abroad, and
while still possessing the clearness and vigor OF
mind that marked his earlier years, affords
striking illustration ofthe doctrine that indFId-
ua! virtue has It's true foundation in the heart,
and not in the adventtions circumstances by
which the man is surrounded. But to the ex-
tract
81 am not an example OF reformation
have been throughout my long days, and in the
course of many vicissitudes, rigidly temperate
mau. have never, in the midst of the reyel
/ and The frolcs OF Others. been intoxicated.
have never drank malt liquor wine or spirits
| in the many and varied scenes OF diversified So
ciety in which [ have been thrown at home
and abroad. am, sincerely, the advocate of
/ Temperance, and my soul yearns for the whole
/ some reform which would expel from our COM
munlty habits of over Indulgence and the i'm
prudent use OF drinks so runous TO our advance
ment and happiness in life.
But, the grea; and deeply interesting ques-
/ ton ls-How is this reform to be brought a.
bout? | answer, by example, reason and moral
suasion bv the training Of our youth and by
education by the teaching OF your neighhor,
the schooImaSters, and the Ministers OF the
Church, and b. models, brightly serving for
illustration, placed before US by our enthusias-
tic legislators themselves. This great social
and absorbing object cannot be obtained by per-
seculion, nor By wild and extravagant enthuSl-
asm nor by the imposition OF heavy fines and
Imprisonment, making the poor poorer, and
ruinous to the unofending family OF the delin-
quent Nor by laws so novel and penal as to
be almost impossible to be carried into eXecu-
tion, and, certainly so Tepulsive to the good
sense of the community that nothing but The
peril Of forfeiture would excite and bring out
the iniormer and eXtort the odious accusation
, before the magistrate. Nor could any good OF
wholesome efficacy be found in the enactment
Of statute, already abjured and condemned al
lis birth place, the "Maine Liquor Law" passeC
by the people of State whose liquor flows a,
plentlfully as their own river of Penobscot.
would as soon think Of reviving in PennSylva,
MIA some Of the laws Of those eastern fsllou
citizens against witchcralt and sorcery, as Il
follow their modern example, manifesting how
S gifted they are in the office of intolerance.
oriA MAJ and d n T6 nv 66sgt7 tA TO over severe penal
ties. and TO the imposition Of disproportlone
= fines and Imprisonment, | should have voted
d had been member of the Legislature, agains
the nresent License Law" and am of opn'o
# should not remain upon Our statute book.
was not called for By the public voice, and v;
in positive disregard of the vote OF the peoP
} of the State. It was IN mockerv Of the soieIn
) iud0mrnt Of the frremen OF the Commonwealth
q. called for by the Legislature it SELF"
FREEMEN of Bedford County, our cand
dates for the Legislature stand pledged to 70
e for the repeal of this iniquitous 'JUG LAW
~ and, therefore, all ~ho vote against them, san
ne ton its absurd provisions.
- II We understand that Mr.. JACOB Re
-, ;hs, rot,,rnad from the Eastern cities whe