Smyrna times., 1855-03-07
Written for the Smyrna Times.
The Delaware State Reporters Edito.
rial.

The Delapare State Reporter, in its issue of
the End INST, presents its readers with a long
editorial in condemnation of the Delaware Leg
lslaturc, because, in accordance with the prayer
OF very large mum mber of the most respectable
citizens OF the State, and in accordance with
the dictates of sound political economy, it had
the manly courage TO throw itself on the peo-
pies sense ofrght, and pass a Prohibitory Law.
Such law we expect few decent people 10
oppose; and when it is opposed; we expect it
to be opposed as it is in the editorial in ques-
tion, by rant and idle defamation, without an
approach towards sound logical argument
Such an editorial as the Reporter starts out with
IN his crusade against Prohibition, is unworthy
of himself and disgraceful to his cause-if the
cause can be further disgraced. He asserts
that the people Of Delaware are now, for the
first time, to be subject to a law of the State of
Maine! think an act passed by the Senate
and House OF Representatives of the State of
Delaware IN General Assembly met, is law OF
the State of DelaUGre. He states that the
4" sensation created upon its passage here was
one of almost universal condemnation" Now
Mr.. Reporter, ithas always been our misfortune
to have mind so constituted that we could not
believe our own stories-so you will excuse us
Tor not believing this statement of yours. The
demonstrations of popular Indignation of which
you speak, we apprehend, is, nd will be mainly
confined to those who were interested in the
traffic in intoxicating drinks, and such as are
under their influence and control. That they
are disposed to complain is perfectly natural
for the law affects their pockets. The real ar
guments against Prohibition are twovery short,
but very strong ones-interest and appetite
The Reporters talk about submitting it to the
people is all CANNON. The late Legislature
took the most efftctual way of submitting it to
the people, by placing the law on the statute
book. They have said to the people in the pas
sage OF the act, we believe such a law is
IN accordance with the interests and the
wishes OF the people; and if the law is thus
found to be in accordance with their wishes, it
will stand; if not, they will elect men to repeal
1t; but | apprehend that before two years the
Reporter will find out that the people think
"fhe enactment Of such a Lau toLerabLe."
The Reporter calls the law vigorous and
arbitrary. This is mere assertion. / call for
the proof. Ii society cannot protect itself
against the monstrous evils that have been in.
hcted on it by the legalized sale of intoxicating
drinks, 1t is, indeed, exposed to fearful peril,
without hope OF remedy by municipal law, and
here challenge this bold declaimer to bring a
single argument against law prohibiting the
sale OF intoxicating drinks as beverage. thai
Will not apply with much greater force against
the Keeping of gambling houses, houses Of i'll
ia'he' race courses, and every other nuisance
that Is prohibited by law. That this law has
been enacted against the wishes of the peoole
most emP.latically deny. Between five anC
SIX thousand legal Uoters petitioned the Lepis
lature OF Delaware for the passage of this law
VIII not eonnt the women and children-pas,
them by, Mr.. Reporter, and look at the Ieea
roters. These petitions were not secretly 90
up; before the Legislature met, State apt
County Conventions were held-their intentio,
to petition the Legislature was known to ALL
and in State which casts abeut I3,I5O votes
, nearly 5000 voters went before the Leglslatur,
asking for the passage Of a Prohibitory Law
Dare the Reporter assert that such number o
: voters ever approached the Legislature'of Della
ware on any other subjects While these pe;i
4 tons were being prepared, where was the Re
J. porter and his rumselIng sympathizers! Wa
!. u not their provinceto be heard before the Leg
4 IL = n. /
e ls'aturs How many were found to remon
e strate against its passagei Not more, / thiuI
.han nfty persons. How many of;hem were voter
! don't pretend to know. q hope none of ther
were negroes for the Reporters sake, thoug
e ! oPlne that the Editor would have been drive
r 70 that class Of the community before he 20
many % demonstrate. viii not waste time