Smyrna times., 1855-01-17

The following communication was received |
too late for last weeks paper, but is none the
less applicable, as there are many petitions yet
circulating through the country:
Mr.. EDiToR:-The 18th of the present
month is the day fixed upon by the Temperance
Convention of the State of Delaware, to hand
in temperance petitions to the Legislature,
praying them to give US Prohbtory Lava
law similar to that of Maine-in other words, a
law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks
1t behooves every one, then, who is friend to
the cause to exert himself to the utmost be-
tween this and that time, in getting or obtain
ing names to the petitions, as our success
will mainly depend upon the array of names
that We there present. If we are indolent and
suffer ourselves to lie supinely on our backs
when we should De up and doing, what better
can we expect of the present Legislature than
defeat. On the other hand, if we are vigilant
and will do our duty-if we will secure the
names of all those who are really in favor of
Prohibition, success will inevitably crown our
efforts All, in my humble opinion, the pre-
sent Legislature needs, is to convince or show
to them that we have a decided majority in
favor of the enactment of such q law, and we
shall get it. On the contrary, if we go there
making but "poor show" we shall as surely
be defeated, and the temperance cause injured.
therefore, do think it Of the utmost impor-
tance, that the petitions be handed to every
legal voter in the county for his signature
There are great many persons who would
sign petition if waited upon, who would not
take the trouble to call or wait on you for that
purpose Then, | say, leave not a stone un-
turned. repeat, it is of the utmost Importance
that every legal voter be waited on with a Pc
| titlon. What signifies it, if we battle the whole
year in the cause Of temperance, if when the
time for action comes we are found in the rear.
| tell you gentlemen, friends of Prohibition
you who take the lead in this matter. you who
have borne the heat and burthen of the day,
now is your time for action. You will meet
with, no doubt, many honorable exceptions, who
will not sign your petition. you need not expect
it otherwise; but persevere. When eur Savi-
our was on earth, he had his enemies and per-
secutors--so he would if he was here now.
suppose it is all right But tits to me the most
superhuously ridiculous thing that any moral
intelligent, good-meaning man, should be op.
posed to the passage of law prohibiting the
sale ofintoxicating drinks. Inever could com.
prehend i'll never want to. The evils Of in.
temperance have been portrayed to you hun
dred times, in the most glowing terms, to have
the beneficial Influences of Prohibitory Law,
yet you will not understand.
/" You know the right and you approve it too,
You condemn the wrong though yet the wrong
| ''-'"... sdf 3atuaar -4g. .a..ao rten4m
Like Ephraim they are joined to their idol--let
them alone. The temperance question, sir, is
decidedly the most important question that is
now before the Legislature. When compared
with all others, they sink into almost utter in
significance. Then. say give us Prohibitory
Lava law that viii raise the people in point
of morality, at least 6fty per cent; and IL we
Gould have the money thai is now worse than
wasted for rum. expended in general education,
in intsrnsl improvements. sand the improve,