Smyrna times., 1856-06-04
The Duty of Temperance Men.

NOT found wanting. 1t has been in operation
about twelve months--or al least would have
been hat for the cOnsplracles of rumsel-
lers, old topers, and, in some cases, officers, to
embarrass its execution and nullty its provl-
sions This conspiracy has paralized 1t many
parts of the State, so that but fraction of its
natural good effects have yet been realized.
We are freed from the evil. the reproach and
shame of the License system. Men still sell
liquor as a beverage; but they do it in defiance
of the statute They do it knowing that their
business is condemned by public sentiment, and
that the best portion of the community most
emphatcally reprobate it. They do 1t know
ino that Justice is on their track, and with Il
shiyerinS consciousness that it will surely |
overtake them They do it saying that the
Prohibtory Law is imperative, and unSustaned
by public sentiment; but their acts give the
lie to their words If the act is imperative,
why do they work so hard for its repeal! fit
was unconstitutional, why do they wish it re-
pealedl Their exertiOns to overthrow it proved
it both constitutional aid operative, even III
their own estimation. And while they say it
is unsustaned by public opinion, who ever
heard them propose to submit the question of
its continuance or overthrow to direct popu-
lar vote
Men who sell liquor are now obliged to know
well with whom they deal, and take care that
they secure their pay. The law has done col
lecting their debts or enforcing their contracts.
And this circumstance of itself tends to drive
men of substance out of the business and ser-
ously cripple and restrict the wholesale liquor
traffic.
The whole traffic in intoxicating beverages
is under bonds for good behavior. The tavcrns
and "wet groceries" which were formerly
scenes of daily riot and dens of protane ribaldry.
now sell liquor, if at all, with great secreSy
and eircumspecton. IL ron't do to have them
surrounded, day and night, by all the " sons Of
Belal" in the county, as they formerly were
with IMMUNITY. The keeper puts his liquor
down cellar, belinda close partition, or in some
sort of coa-hole and tells his thirsty customers
that they must drink and go quietly away, OF
he will have to stop selling. Thus time is saved
auarrels prevented, and the evil consequences
of tippIing greatly diminished.
Drunkards obtain liquor far less freely and
frequently than they formerly did. Even the
rumsellers admit that more should not be sold
10 n man who has " had enough thus douh
ling on their track and repudiating their favo
rite idea OF " moral suasiun." The consequent
ccs are peace, competence and comparative
comfortin many families hitherto cursed through
drunkenness, with frenzy, restitution and dc
spair.
Whole districts have been swept clean o
the pestilent source of" InteRperance, Pauper
ism and Crime" whilst others are but slight.
and stealthily cursed with it. Where barrel
were formerly sold, quarts are now with diff
Guilty Struggled into circulation. And only til
attempts to nulify the law have prevented it
somplete and triumphant enforcement through
ont seven-eighths of the State.
In view of all these facts, we appeal to tn
temperance men of Delaware, to awake TO th
issue, and, with willing hearts and hands, ente
boldly into the arena now thrown open to then
aud struggle with true courage and fortltud
To maintain the cause inviolable. Our Judge
have decided Just what we always contende
that there can be constitutional law to PR
vent the gigantic evils of intemperance. w
no longer labor under doubts and fears in regar
TO its legality-the officers who refused to ex'
cute the law, can no more urge the plea Of il
validity. When the law was passed, man
honest temperance men Immediately laid
their armour, under a vain delusion that Il
work was done. Let them not be so deceive
again. j; they viii look back upon the pa
year, thoy cannot but see the folly Of thus ac
inr. Ii the temperance men had taken an a.
grossly" and defensive position from the fir:
tine principles of Prohibition might to-day ha'
had much frmer foothold in the minds al
hearts of the people then, let US be profited
mast experience. Unprincipsd men will st
sell when they have the opportunity. Will "
suffer them thus TO do with IMMUNITY! Wi
You, in measure, is the responsibility of Il
sale Of liquor in your neighborhood. See tl
all yiolators are arragned before court
Justice; and when close eye is kept up
them, they will not-they dare motif at a
sell but IL the post restricted manner. An
thef view must be taken of this matter, besd
that Of enforcing the law. Tremendous exc
tons will be made by the Liquor Party to Ina
The lawrepealed at the next session Of the lie
isIatnre aud tboy arc already engaged in ORA
lag plans for the coming campaign An O
server of the times" cannot fail TO see d
s.signs." in falling straws If the temperan
men are as true to their cause as are the rul
mics, the result need not be feared; but if tn
continue 10 manifest such little interest, a
viii not arm themselves for the contest, con:
quences disastrous to Prohibition may ensue.
Let every one resolve TO do his duty, and a co
plese triumph is sure TO follow.
NJ. lrl.e MERCURY IN the thermometer star