New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-17
MAYOR WOOD AND THE LIQUOR Law.
TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK.
MAYORS OFFICE, n. Y April |


The Lgslsture Of this state having passed an act
entitled AN Act for the Suppression " Inten per-
CO. Pau )eriso and Crime known a. the P'oaio-
tory Liquor Law, and . my position With reference
to its enforcement, In this City far that dd,y may
ceyolve upon n y Office should be declared a. early
cav, to leave no double a. to its character hsosoy
pre,ent, for public consideration, the principles Which
control my conduct public officer, alike sppcs-
bic 10 matters of great or small Import
Tia, the people govern-not in their primary ca
pscty but through representatives. freely and fairly
closen--is the theory Of American government Tue
people are the Of political power. fney make
the laws; and the great safeguard OF American
liberty is general compliance. Az the rt1tltes thus
created the better protection OF lite sod properly,
AND the pursu, Of hsppness are but the reflection OF
the popular will for the time being go are they bud
ing upon the sody pohtic-lhe minority a. well a. the
msoTity-~ho are alike parties to the co mp .ct the
obligations Of which il ID dshonoraole TO disregard
And though these elements OF govern nen' pre-
sent the dsune usnng features between our own aat
the Governments of Europe still our sue 'ess has been
osing more 10 aequercence in the will OF the majority
han i'll he character of The Government Itself.
Other Republics have failed, even wnen founded
upon our forns Cousuturion on y because OF the
resistance of The vsDquished contestants for rule by
rebellion against the laws and the executive power
Amounted 10 enforce then We understand Repub-
hcaDism differently, and hence have suci struggles.
The generally pervadiDg common sch pOi educational
systemthe rigid principle Of bedence i0stilled int,
the child by the parent, aud the scholar by the
teacber-,he enlarged human progress. Leading o.
ward 10 the expansion OF the heart aud intellect all
founded upon an enlightened, unproscripuse, rels
ious sentiment, furnish The platform upon which
Amt ricsn liberty stands and from which calamity,
rave forcbe resistance 10 the laws csl ever remove
it.
It's not conten led hat mnori,ies have not grlev.
snces and that their grievances must redlan uate-
drersed. Th.n rights fully protected. Zoe sane
fund ameni lay that biGds ms critics 70 submit,
poin out clearly the road 10 relief against an Illegal
or proper e1ercfe of authority upon ths part OF the
m.ionty Even ~hene er fanaficsn rules the nodr
and covers the country VITO its bauefui inhiencs TO
the exclusion Of snc justice, publ, opnion viii
tooI correct the error, ana restore the calm sense OF
mature CONFER gstve Judgment What IT Ihe law
maker proves recreant, aud oetraye the constituent
be WIS cbosen TO represent The wrjny Indicted is
not rremeciabe, tcoul il may be proper CHI tstlse-
uent for d ggent or corrupt use of the franchise.
Tine repai;s all The errors OF legi-laton. It's evils
and wrcsgs however great, invsrsbiy recoil bsfore
public opinion aud the decisions Of toe Couts. Re-
oIess auo relief can thus always be obsiioed The
legal tribunals and the ballot box are never approached
in vain for the maintensbce Of good, or the over
throw - bad cause. TH7se are the ony conS3r-
tional resorts all Others TIE ason or rebellion.
Another marked characteristic Of the American
peope is the unvers 81 sub Mission to the iJeernm-ntI
fvrns restricting the posers add duties Of toe three
copponeDts of Government, viz the Legislative,
,he Juc iclal ard the Executive. The first cal only
make The laws, toe second can only expound them,
sn0 the third discfe loo buf 10 toem faith
fully executed 1t il my provinces to act as agent for
the people ia enc of these departments 1 AN an
Executive officer 1 aid III The execution Of the laEs,
al have to do so " 10 the bert of my ability
WIKI no part Iesp0I siby 10 their creation, 50
far AZ State legsla ion 10 concerned, | nave no op-
ton blu. compliance as an instrument, for their
enforcement and 90 require compliance in others,
as far as | have the abby. IL is my duty TO ex-
act oh. dienee, and yoars 10 obey. Toe OH ;er of
the law is not accountable for the making of the
Lag be is 0sund I, execue it, pure TO nis oath
OF office, though the responsibility OF tue people,
az the souIce Of all polucL poser, cannot De
go easily denied. As Mayor. l have end favored
10 fulfill rhs du'y. Though sometimes p.intu yet IL
has been performed dlgendI ald impartlals hope
70 continue without relaxation. Toe act relating 10
the pr hbitioD of the liquor traffic snd consumption
is law, holding the sane position as any o'aer
law, ana until decided invalid by the Courts, or
mended repealed by Lsgisld'ure should con-
naId the same obedience. So far its execution
dependr upon n q, have discretion bat 10 exer-
else all my power enforce it, II is unnecessaryf for
me 10 express an opinion in regard to Legislation OF
this character or If this law; for wtaever that
opinion may be, cannot without di-houor shrink
from f,iiblul o-chaIge OF The tru.t conhd, d. shls
ever shall be the personal consequences TO myself l
no call upon the friends OF law and order aid 10
the performance of this oblg CATION, and in sustaining
the lsws-a principle upon which rests the corner-
stone of all national pre- perity ami greatness
Deemrg my couise with reference to this subject Of
inerest to those whose occupations are 10 be affected,
and sally 10 those whore licenses will exprs With
the year er ding tie first OF May ensuing, have felt
it il cpmbeDt upon me to indicate 1t frankly have
svsileo self Of the fra; moment ser ths adjourn-
ment Of the legislature when all expectations OF re-
peal or modification hspeess 10 thus make pub
lie my position, without having han time to examine
it, or to receive counsel to my daies under it, and
with out knowing wheiher am called upon or have
power as May or 10 take any part in its execution.
Oh all inform myself bese points without delsy and
a1 nounce my conclusion TO the public with the same
candor that prompts this communication
FERNANDO WOOD.
ADDRESS FRON MAYOR HALL.