New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-11

dael ssdr.s 70 me on the 4h inst, 10 behalf Of
=" the Liquor-dealers' State committee" asking my
opinion IN respect 10 "urohbu DRY liquor law,
and In respect to several points of detsii which u ~
difficult 10 answer specifically without fal satsue NJ
81 d. pepoep. prov sons. Having no ooinons 10 co.,
ctal and belonging tn else OF ra1i'ai de nocFsts
who believe in frankly e1o'essirg th-m 10 a. "n }
have utter ia kno Eing then, take pleasure n
upcs ring them wit bout reserve IN you. nave
asals RI in Ell ne practically Temperate man, a.
thoug gu heve never teen TECHNICALLY temperan .
nan by giving pied. e.. do not deem II wise ~ ule
20 give pledges on aoy subject lest might vloit e
them In iLi- respect ! have differed rom 80 me OF
ny valued fri nds aud ron some of the best 81
ptn. / have always reeared the question Oh m
TEMPERANCE as question of remedy o1ly. Inc
evil is constantly With us, pervadng every eoudi.
'ien Of life. All zee and admit II, a'd TOO man. OF
Us realize is consequences in our iamhles ani
eciiOns The grave claims It's VIC ims IRON nOuS
Us 6ai v aud INCREASINGLY. The prison constantly re-
ctives bsck its ugitves, while the a,heriess look
Ia Him only who feeds the ravens. Win me, repest,
iftn il is OILY question OF remefy snn not OF pro-
hibinn or copsiiiu iopslity. have not doubted NE
cors'uiionsliiy of such measures within the us ia
and reason able limits of legislation TO remedy the evil
a. mey fairly be devised anc applied by the Legsla-
fure- TIE theory OF our system u, that while the
National government can exercise oAiy srsnteu OF
imsi,d powers the State legislature possess the su
preme authority Of the people in all csses where they
are Dot restrained by the Constitution. Both ar
equally supreme in their respective spheres OF acon
uI they come in col ict, when the StSes sietd II ue
over the subject.
To ilustrs e and spply this theory, therefore, /
think thst Legislature may prohibit the use oil
csmthepe In our families TO save tire lives which are
DOW daily sscriced by it. while the Natooal govern
ment have DO power lexc pit in the I.riOres to legs
late on the subiect Whether It is wise and expedien
To do so or not s different question, about which
wise u en- might offer so in regard TO prohl ollng
the use of liquor men are found 20 dfer. For my SELF
I have not regarded T. ohibiion ne the only proper
remedy in the sent state of public opinion lt IS
believed by many 70 reach al extreme where tina,
public opiIon is not wholly prepared 10 sustain
az uphold III execution as we see II IL almost dead
letter in our ciies while in the rural districts 4: Il
working good results. This does not prove hat
reasonable measure may not be devised and sp-
pied which would receite the support of onhSht-
ened public opinion and provide at the same time
r, redy for the evil. Such a measure would receive
yonr ANN obaion as well ss m,e. II should not be
Oppressive in ifs provisions or execution, while l.
a. MID t cualy reach the evil by means which gooi
ci'izer would approve II should DE- moderately pro-
o. essive in lis oteraiiou adjusting itself to tie wrong
70 he reueoed and to the habits and opinous of
reote. Some evils uust be LETT 10 the correction Of
he moral arse Extremes on either hand should be
avoided arc il the frs attempt should no. prove sue
ce,su il should be renewed uni you have exhausted
all effort within The constitution al limit; treating the
matter as you would every o'her requiring legal re-
s.raipt and regarding the rights and interests OF all
mep instead Of those of any particular class or pur
suit Thus, In general terms, you have my opinions
on the whole subiect of your circula. Others equally
interested on both sides Of the question: are entitled to
know them, whether they shall be acceptable or not,
arc TO his end and to save inquiry, shall send this
reply for pub ication.
remain Sir, respectfully, your obedient servant ,
RICHARD FRENCH Esq., chairman of the LiquOrdeaers State
uittee, Nev.1OTk.