Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1856-04-16

Editor has replied to our Articles reviewing MS
argument upon moral suasion in former num- :
Der. We have read the articles with the ex-
peciation of finding some new tangible argu- Il
ments in an attempt at refnting the theory laid Of
down by us but were disappointed, inasmuch Il
as the major part of the first article is but a il
of the assertions previously made, s,
and the remainder old ideas clothed in differ 81
cot dress. We must give the Editor credit Tor !,
considerable skill in the art Of going all around Il
a subject without picking it up. AS there ia il
nothing which calls for special attention, we v
will pass il by after noticing one or two para h
graphs. Inreply to our remarks relative TO the r
adyocstes Of moral suasion being despised and O
derided formerly,as the prohibitionists are now,
he saws, they were esteemed and respected by
all, aud the cause looked upon as the handmade
of Christianity! Now, we happen to know
something about those times, and our experl-
ence accords fully with others, that the friends
of temperance are opposed by the very same
people--yea, the very identical men, both prl-
vately aud publicly-then as now. In regard
to their looking upol the cause as the hand
maid of Christianity, we do not doubt; nor do
we DENY that they look upon the cause to-day
in any less degree, at least when they behold
the glory of its moral achievements. He says
that fifteen years since the cause was so highly |
esteemed, that drunkenness was considered a
reproach aud disgrace, and that even in that !
town there was but one store to be found where |
spirituous liquors could be found. Exactly so.
But who were the instruments in bringing about
this happy state of affairs! We answer. the
men who are now the strongest advocates of
Prohibition Under temporary enthusiasm
Cfor every cause has its day of enthusiasm) the
people arose in great numbers and enlisted
themselves in the cold water army, and for a
short time the temperance men were embolden-
ed with the idea of total overthrow of the
dominion of Alcohol. But what was the result!
The speakers and people became tired of such
a laborious method of holding meetings every
week or two--lhe people lost their enthusiasm
and ceased TO attcnd--this one and that one
broke his pledge, and the growisg Indifference
of the people clearly indicated that they were
losing, instead of gaining ground. They saw
but one expedient, and that they adopted. We
are told that, in the town Of Dover every store
keeper quit the traffic, but one in the outskirts
OF the the town. The Reporter has just come
90 what we have always contended, viz: the
traffic cannot be abolished by moral suasion; BY
taking it out of the hands of respectable men,
We are placing it in the hands of the low and
debased. Had all men moral character, and
could all be reached by moral argument, there
would be no doubt of the triumph of moral sua'
sion--but here is Just where moral suason fail
ed, and will Gl,oGys fail. This man referred to
seeing that money could be made at the bust
uess, mantled himself in the law, and, in this
came and by the authority of the State, solo
readily to any and ALL Other merchants, see
Jug their customers leaving them for this place
ere induced for selEprotectiOn to resume thu
lrafdc. AS fast as some are induced TO quit th'
.rafc, will others of less or no character suppl!
their places. Now, We would ask the Reporter
how many stores in Dover sold intoxicating
drinks ten years since, and how long wa
il, in the time above refereed to, that M
liquor was sold by the storesi weare positiv'
that ln0ee elOTec WHICH dDdhuOutu tue 6oic y
ardent spirits resumed it long before the cry o
Prohibition was heard. Moral suasion wa
tried long enough to prove its ineficiency il
eradicating the evil, and those who are still
piping the euphonious words, forcibly remin
US of a certain kind of vessels upon the hig
seas that, for reasons well known, carry at thei
masthead flag of distress. a"s
The Reporter devotes much Of this article
an analogy betweon Moral Suasion and Chri'
trinity in ;hcr diffusion over the world. TIL
object Of Christianity is to produce conformit
10 the moral law. Il was in this sense th'
Paul meant the expression that, "wi,hout III
law he knew not SIM" viz the law and test
nony given by the Creator and Redeemer,
which they were TO conform. their lives. I'll
mural uuasion used in propogating Christisnt
~ 20 abide by the law of Christ--but here Il
analogy ends, because when moral suasion alol
vas relied on for the propagation of tempe
ance, the law on our statute book was again
AS. for il legalized the sale of intoxicatii
dF.nks AID protected the trafficker in his bu
~reas, in tie Divine law no man
ceiyed a license BY the authority of Jehovah
do acts of wickedness, bot was in all car
totally prohibited. We cannot better exPr
our views upon this subject than we
in our former article, which we will quote
.rThs design OF moral suasion lie, to prod
conformity 70 lac; and without the exister
OF moral law, moral suasion can have no ex
ence. Where there is no respect TO moral
there can be no existence of civil law. The
fore. the object of moral suasion is : fret
give existence 10 civil law, and produce q
civil laws as agree with the morallaw Seco
ely--moral suason IL designed TO prodsce c
-fosnisy to civil Law. Thirdly--ciyil Law
means employed by moral suasion TO prod
scsnGeruIity 20 moral law. Where there 10
spcet CT and conformity 70 moral law Their
mo need of civil In w for sthe la W In NOT m