Smyrna times., 1856-08-27
The Democratic Party and Temper
anee


The Democratic State Convention which me,
in Dover on Tuesday last, passed the following
resolution: .IJlIHI F..
Resolved, That while the Democratic party
considers the cause of Temperance as an i'm.
Portant moral and social question, they deem
us enforcement by arbitrary and oppressive
aws improper aud unjust, injurious alike to the
cause OF temperance and the morals of the oeo.
pie--that We do not believe our fellow-ctiaens
were so besotted by the immoderate use of in
toxleatlng liquors as to the passage of the pre-
sent Prohlbltory Law; and while we frankly
and unhesitatIngly declare our intention, if en-
trusted with the control of the Legislature of
'he state, to repeal the present law, we, at the
same time, are in favor of jndiclous regala-
lion OF the sale OF spirituous liquors, bv
means of wholesome license system. which
'wiil restrain It as an evil and the better pro-
mote the cause of temperanes.SE '.... -.
1t will be seen that the Democratic party has
boldly thrownits banner to the breeze with repeaI
inscribed thereon. If it was not expected that
an open declaration would be made, such was
known to be the sentiment of at leest many of
the party. Our opinions on the subject have
heretofore frequently been expressed; we can
not Dut regret, yea, it is a sore affiiction to
'hink that any party would, from any consdera-
tioh' reopen upon us the foodgates of intem-
perance, by repeating law which has been
Pfotection TO the peace of society and shield
- the helpless widow and orphan. We had
mistaken the morale virtue and honesty of our
people. We had been wont to think that the
happiness and prosperity of the community was
,held above predominance of party. But no
our dearest interests are frequently crashed be.
meath the ponderous wheels of the Political Jug.
gerHaut. The law, notwithstanding it has turoed
mourning into joy. scarcity into plenty, disorder
into quIetness, reclaimed the drunkard and pIad-
'ened the heart of the phiIanthropist, has moi. |
we are frank to confess, met our fullest exnec.
iatIons And how could it, when everv inch of
ground has been hotly contested by morally 6e-
based topers, rum leagues and noli,icaI n,r,i0.,
'he lay had been treated as any other sta
t0te' 1t would to-day, from its popularity. have
oeeh the cherished principle Of all parties
ny appeals to the baser passions to manv if has
become as something odious; they are blinded
and charge to the Prohibi;ory Law the rrsrlt
OF their own misdeeds.
Inc Convention, we learn, had considerable
alnlculty IN settling the "vexed question. -
hhe delegations from New Castle and Sussex
counties were in favor of resolution. which
nad been previously prepared, declaring the
democratic party as opposed to Prohibition and
e''r.c''O" a'So' or in other words, in tauor Of
''fe"''"g me present IaU and then letting the d
II
'i'h were IN favor of non.action pnon ,ho 81 r
80, I"u 70 'nis resolution they said they could r
,O' subscribe. Several of the spea kers declared II
mat II would be entirely compromising them. 0
'e''eS ana party to the rum faction, and when
o".ne 10 'hat' they would be obliged, throuob
'o"siueratlons of their interest in the cbn,ot, "
VI winch many were membersl and their dn,,. u
= az eo'e,y' 70 withhold their support [Query ~ ~
we're there any members of church in ,Is
'e" ca:tle and Sussex delegationsil Il They :, "
e'Ore' :. entered their solemn protest apains, ~
',' o"u all resolutions which did not pronose
institute for the Prohibitory Law. should 81 "
'pea,eO' hent' however. was overpowered in -,
'sa'a 70 non-action and forced to take tho
passed as compromise. On this
= "e.a'oare GGFeife says:-Against the adon. ~,
=" Oi TINS resolution the delegates of Ken,
'u"'y' through Edward Rdgely, ESQ. entered III
protest This gentleman made b.nd.o.-- Ne
ID forcible ANIMAL >, a. "a"usoine chs
% tue resolution, declaring at the same time
''O" :" ther county meetings ought to ga .isfv -
>" Lastle and Sussex-that Kent had 49, 'ne
e"' on the question and did not wish to D.so gu :"
Oh IL at all-and that three. .fcur,bs of - '~'d ~
'egates IN Convention were favorablc - - ol
~" '"ere on this subject, which surely eould
an"c' dlsadVantageously the interests Of r0o
o'uer counties, while action might resul, IN
'ouS'y 10 Kent MIR. Ridgely was replied 70 f
'OIciole speech by Mr.. Gordon. the cbai, can.
OF the committee, who adyocated tho No. from
g OF the resolution andlnaintained tho, ~ M,
~" "0u'd render success doubtful in the ract
n''es "f New Castle and Sussex: he sIso rial
ned 10 maintain the consistency of the mart, the
nave one Common platform for the who'll vict,
is re
lcOb Moore, Esq, of Sussex. oIso snoLo :, had
VI ''e aoopton of the resolution, and rogir
'''' '''a' inc opposition in his county would Russ
assumed the same ground had not the Peac
Democrats preceded them in occupying it. and {
he discussion was continued by Messrs impo
'eIy' Cummins and Todd of Kent. and repr,
lon and Moore. The question being finally The
ID tor, vote was taken and the resoIu,;on Go
ted. - :. s,ead
II .Ftf -----r-t---~- ~~@~-------- D.
LLHoRE CLUB.-on Monday evening last. O
more Club was formed in ,5is ,o''.- 'a'T schoc
Fellows Hall. J. B. Ruth, Esq, was seho0