Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-02-23
Corrfsponotnts.
Especial Correspondence OF tho American
Letter from Indianapolis.
lsDIANAroLrs, Feb. 10, 1855

DEAR Editor: Yesterday was
high day in this city. The Temper
ance Bill as reported by the committee
passed tho Senate .triumphantly in
spite of Messrs. Slater and M'Cleery.
1t had been sent to the House and
fears were entertained that 1t would
be broken down by amendments in
which the Senate would not concur
AT an early hour the Hall was densely
crowded. and interest was up to fever
heat. Several motions were made to
amend. but were voted down. The
Billreported had been carefully exam
ined by the committee--its question:.
bic points had been submitted To such
men as Mcdonald. Marshall. Barbour,
etc, and they considered them safe.
The majority wisely concluded that
il was safer to take the judgment of
experienced jurists on points Of ab.
stract law than TO risk their own in
the heat Of debate. The Senate had
passad II as reported, and the MAORI
ty in the House determined to do the
same. The third reading was ordered
then the Hon. Mr.. Speaker an
nounced--"The question is, shall the
Bill pass?-as many rs will vote that
it shall pass will say aye as your
names are called-those who vote
against the passage Of the bill will say
no as your names are called" All was
silence; the roll was called; name at
ter name responded-the last name
and last response were given; the re-
suit was announced; the Speaker arose
aud said: 1.-The bill has passed. hay
received the CONSTITUTIONAL majority"
lstantly came one laundering outburst
oil applause; women wept tears OF
JOY; in vain did doorkeepers cry order;
in vain did the Speakers mace rise
and fall--the outburst could not be
stilled. There were mon who had
battled for such contamination thro'
storm and wintry weather. They had
met scorn--been denounced ms fanat-
ics--but nerved by love of humanity
they had toiled on. Their triumph
hour had come! They wept and
shouted by turns. It's said that Bro.
Eddy was riding through town in a
carriage when the bill passed, and
shouted "glory" manfully. In less
than five minutes after the announce.
ment Of the passage Of the bill, the
large bell on Roberts Chapel began
to tell the news with its tongue Of iron.
The other bells answered--peal rang
out answering peal-church bells and
fire bells. "Is there fire." asked a
man who wasn't posted. mo. the
fire is put OUT" was the reply. And
the bells rang on. The American Flag
was stretched across Washington ST.
AS soon as the "nose and confusion"
had measurably subsidized, some invet-
crate old fogy moved for a reconsider
alton. And now for speech-his
throat was duly cleared, and he began
but just then the old cannon in the
rear of the State House "let off,
the women screamed slightly-the lob
bies shouted again-the orator lost his
notes and forgot his speech. "Shall
the bill be reconsidered?" "No" was
the response. And then the bells rung,
and banners waved. and cannon roared,
and people shodted againl
At night the city was illuminated,
and round OF salutes WAS fired-one
for each man voting for the bill.
But all were not joyful. There were
those which bore traces Of deep sad.
ness. One burly grog.vender was
heard to say-"And the bill has pass
ed-has. passed the Senate. too; well,
supposc.the women and the id
Methodists will be glad" Distillers
and brewers have been writing letters
by the bushel forbidding the passage
Of the bill unless the State indemnifet
them for the loss they must sustainl
The action OF the Senate in reference
to the bill surprised many. Some say
that the design was to send il to III,
J House, and there it was TO be amended
and returned TO the Senate, and tha
body would say, 1--WE passed the bill
: which the committee an able on,
drew up; the Fusion House refused
upon it must rest the responsibility o
thwarting the wishes Of the people
and we will lay it on the table ant
leave it there" This may have beer
, the motive Of some. but l am not will
ing TO believe II. believe that mos
Of the men who voted for the bill IL
, the Senate, did so in good faith. AL
honor to the men who said "the PEG
, shall be obeyed." Mr.. Willard as
snred a temperance man. before III,