Smyrna times., 1856-10-01
Harmony of the Prohibitory and Moral
-1sss ,-aa- Law.


Mr.. EDIToR Though a stranger to you, |
have been induced to take up my pen to say |
few things upon the subject of the above cap |
tion ~
writer in the DelGUare Gazette, over the
Signature of "Ereferendum," sometime since
assumed the position that the moral law does
not prohibit the nse of intoxicating drinks as
abeverage; and that the Prohibitory Law OF
Delaware is, by consequence, opposed to the
Law of God, and requires more of men than
the Law of the Eternal. Yet he brings for
wRrd no proof to sustain such position.
The arguments of this writer, and of all
others in opposition to the law are vain, because
they do not touch the law. The law, as l un-
derstand it, prohibits the manufacture and sale
of liquors, and not the drinking of them, except
the excess. 1t is true, the law forbids their
sale except for certain purposes; and thus vr-
tuslly prohibits the use of them for any other
purpose. But let us take the position of this
writer in favor of the law, Or in opposition to
himself; and thus fight him with his own wea-
pons, and condemn him out of his own mouth.
with the plainest dictates of common sense
that when a law or law-giver exhibits any given
thing or action in reference to particular oc-
eRsiOR or occasions, or for a particular ol
specified time, such particular inhibition i'm
plies asgeneral license, or that the thing 81
Inhibited is generally admissible"
The law of Delaware only prohibits drunk
enness, or drinking to excess. Then, accord
ing 70 the position of '' Ereferendum," drink
ing moderately is generally admissiEle."-
This conclusion is inevitable from his own posi-
tOn: and all his arguments are worth nothin
inppposition to the law. General principles {
law or government are just as applicable to on
law as another. They are the same, whethe
spilled 10 the love of money, or the crime {
murder The premise assumed, therefor
whilesit.does not prove all he wishes to make
establish, proves too much for his cause.
The pzemiselaid down by this writer has r
bearing whstever upon the moral law; becaui
the law of God, regulating the moral cOnduc
isaways the same in its requisitions--was n
given for !" particular iOccasions," but for a
occasions, through all time. II is true. circur
stanees alter cases; and some things, becau
circumstances, have been allowed, viii,
were opposed to the spirit of the law. Chr
said unto the Jews, Moses, because of 4
hardness of your hearts, suffered you to p
away your wives but from the beginning
was not So" The development of Reveal
Trth has been by slow and gradual steps
The morality of the Gospel is more perfect tf
OF the Mosaic age. "The times of" the
iner " ignorance God winked at; but now co
aaandeth all men everywhere to repent" is
clesr expression of Paul to the Athenians.
The passage quoted by this writer, from
vitieus, has no bearing upon the subject.
assumes that, because it was prohibited in
case Of the priests when they went :" into
tabernacle of the congregation" it was ALI
able to use it at ell other times. He does
l give the entire passage, because it would h
been fatal to his cause. We admit it to b
4 been regulation Of the prestly office; bu
II regulation based upon the moral law, and
II sacredness of the Office; and involving P
II elPle directly opposed to the common ns
II wine and strong drink. Here is the whole
sage; : Do not drink wine nor strong DIR
thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye 60
the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye
h shall be statute forever throughout
generations; aud that ye may put difier'
1 be,wsea holy aud unholy, and between unc
and clean; aud that ye may teach the chill
ot isruel all the statutes which the Lord
4 spoken unto them BY the hand Of Moses
Levitt. 10: gil. H .Af