The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-08-17
The Ing Law.

Temperance IN all things is a virtue en- ioined
by The postle, and II is one that should be prac-
tlSes 10 everything, an indulgence in. or abuse
Eol which, results IN wee That evils have been
produced by inirmperate drinking of intoxica-
ting liquors no sane ulan can or vii! deny, aud
just SO is il with an unIeStrained qualification OF
the appetite in any other propensity. Pubic as
well as individual morals are better inculcated,
corrected and preserved by an enlightenment Of
the public mind, and instruction Of the indivd-
ual intelligence by means of preeepiiue suasion
and good example, than by coeFcive measures.
The attempts 10 lrgislate a ptoplp into morals
haze been futile, as the history of The world
shows. Sumpluary laws have been, ana always
will be, obnoxious TO the great body Of the Peo-
rie. The enactment Of such laws is no part Of
the proper duty OF legislator. They are ty-
ranncal and oppressive, ard particularly so
when they are passed in the teethof the express
ed vii! of majority.
Ultra prohibiton<ts and total abstinence men
have an undouhted right to urge their ideas Of
Iiqucr manufacture or drinking in lair discus
sion, or impress their correctness by open ex-
Irmplary conduct, hut ,Ary have no right TO dis
regard the opIuIonS of those who do not go the
length they do on this question:, hut who, never
tIritSS3 ave Ftiuahy SOAHi III tDFll itOtdiS.-
Much as we deplore the evils that flow from ex-
ceSSive drinking, we doubt also the policy Of an
attempt 10 coercr mankind into measure which
they believe 10 be wrong, and the propriety of
which argument has failed to convince them OF.
A disposition prevails amongst mankind 10 dc
tate TO one another what shall be drank, worn
or ate. And there is as much reason or right
IN the on" the other. The abuse OF anything
which works an injury TO the public is the sub
jrct Of legal restraint, but the proper use, claw
iul in itSeli,1 We maintain cannot be prohibited
by legislative enactment without violation OF
that inherent right possessed by every man, TO
use his own property m his own manner, with
out drlrment to the public. Moral reforms are
not effected by force, or by any other means
than reasonable argument and good example,
Whenever coercion is employed, ii brcomes
persecution, and tie strongest feelings Of our
nature aroused agains; it.
Tie efforts TO reform drunkards made by tenn
prrance men are praisvworthy and deserve sue
cess, 81 long as they use the legitimate means
to accomplish their philanthropic object bot
when they undertake impossible things, when
they seek 10 compel. by OPERATION of penal
statutes, every citizen of ths State into their be-
lief and their mode of life, their efforts must be-
cont failures, and they peril allthe good they.
have done by resort to harShness. The pro-
hibitory law is now IN eSse-lamiliarlv known
as the '.iilg Iaw,' is, in thu language of Col.
Black bffore the late State Convention, not on
Iy wrong, s'but it is ridiculous" DiScrimna-
tlon amongst those who shall have the privilege
OF vending ardent spirits, except where 1t is
made as to the character of the applicant for
license, is wrong, and is an lBlraclou OF the
principle of ''equal and exact justice to all
mrn.
! Opportunities 20 exhibit partialiiv and favor
1 itssa is too much afforded under this new law.
! Respectable hotel keepers and prnprieorS oi
necrssary restaurants are rXclnded from the
! privileges of this law, and to groccrS and drug
gists and others who DO not keep place q.
public entertainment or amusement is allowed
monopoly of the liquor business. Manuiac-
turrrs may sell, bot not less than five gallon
jug or keg full, whilst those who can obtain a
/ license may deal it oui lndScrIinlnatrlv 10 every
! purchaser by the quart. Those who Will drink,
must either drink quart or tre gaifoaS--no
less measure can br bought. lhr man who
occasionally took single drink can no longer
GET il after the foil enforcement OF this law,
whilst he who can purchase lils larger quantity
and WISHES to indulge TO excess, has entire
legitimate protection. VIII this law effect the
purpose intended by its trainers and supporters
VIII the habits of any be corrected vii!
there he less drunkenness in the land Upon
an examination of the provisions of the law,
and from the well-known disposition OF man
kind, WE do believe this law must be- a failure.
We have already on our statute books laws
stringent and severe enough to punish and pre-
vent drunkenness ii they were only enforced.
'I'is the certaiaty OF punishment, not the Serer-
Hg, that prevents crime Uuderthis slug law,
the man who is disposed TO dissipate and guzzIe
excessively has protection and instead of pre-
venting scandalons drinking, this law will drive
those who will drink, and who are afforded an
opportunity to get it in larger quantities than
they usually obtained it, to buy their quart or
fire gallons, and take it totheir homes, where
will be acted in its fall perfection the drama of
the esDrunkard,' y and were the complete mis-
cry and wrrtchedness ofa drunkard's life will
be seen and felt IuStead of sober reform being
brought about by this aw-lnstead OF temper
ance beconing universal 10 our good old glo-
rious Commonwealth-we believe the contrary
result will flow from the existence OF this law,
and our land more cursed with absolute drunk
enness than ever. For this, aud other reasons
which we will take occasion 10 mention here's
after, we are in favor OF the repeal OF this sad
| Iy defective anti-lcense law, aud ask the atten-
ton nl the people TO ii, in the selection Of their
members to the next Legislature.-.4rnastrong
Democrat.
! ExeoMMuNIcATioN.-Mr. Davis, one of the
editors of the 81. .4tban's Messenger, has been
expelled from a Know-N Nothing lodge, for eX-
pressing the opinion in his paper that the party
] Hnnld nayer sncceed ln the tree States nnless II