Smyrna times., 1856-03-26
Moral Suasion and Legislation.

themselves, that is, an advocacy of moral sua-
s;o, when their whole course OF action is direct
lv adverse to temperance, and proves them to 1
be the same devoted friends Of sold whlskey
as ever. According to the principle OF law II
is enough to show that contestant has no tue
40 an estate in order TO " Gust " him, bat 1t may
not be uninteresting to examine arguments ana
the grounds upon which they are predicated'-
The Reporter says:
To DENY the efficacy and influence of moral
suasion as powerful and extensive as we claim
for IL Is to DEM that Moral Sudston as me OASIS
of ali Christian Religion; is to deny the gos-
mel and the teachings of our saviour Is 10 deny
II as the express mode pointed out by MIN, oy |
which the world is TO be converted 70 Christl
snity, ending in the final regeneration oil the
human race, -. .s. 3 ...-.-s..
We think the Reporter has in this paragraph
exhibited quite as much lameness IN theology
rs in Ethics, and the above cannot be acknow-
lodged orthodox by any excepting the Rum
League.
We have no hesitation ia denying that moral
saason il the basis of the Christian religion
because, to admit that moral suaslen rs the 6Gs'S
of all Christian religion, is substituting the
menus by which it is to be established for the
Driacfple ITSELF This mode Of argument is
like building pyramid with its base upwards,
or making steepls the structures foundation
The design of moral suasOn is, to produce con-
formity to tao; aud without the existence OF
moral law, moral suasion can have no existence
Where there is no respect to moral law there
c,n be 90 existence of civil law. Therefore,
the object of moral suasiOn is: first, to give ex-
istence TO civil law, and produce such civil laws
as agree with the moral law. Secondly-moral
suasion is designed to produce conformity to
civil law. -Thirdly-civil law is a means en-
poyed by moral suasion to produce conformity
to moral law. Where there is respect for and
conformity to moral law there is no need of civil
Law, for, the law is not made for righteous
In1n, but for the lawless and disobedient, for
the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and pro-
fame. for murdcrers of fathers and nurdGrers Of
mothers, TOR mans!ayers," &c.
Thus il will be seen that the object of the
founders of all Christian religion, was to in
duce observance of law, both moral and civil
they we're the antipodes OF such men as thu
Rum League, who advocate the principle o
" individual responsibility" alone, to correc
the evils growing out OF base and sotdId pas
sons, and which are the greatest curse to so
ciety. . .4rt
The. "still small voice." of which the Re
porter speaks, we contend, is not Z" moral sua
~ shat r,onlI avoluda tho pmnl0v
ment of human instrumentality. We maintain
that while it is the object of moral suasion
to produce conviction in the mind, the opera
tions of the Z" still small voice" Tor the Spiri
of God) are designed to produce feeling or
change in the affections. If moral suasion
the "stiI small voice." aud "undyins Truth
it's fulcrum, there is no need of any effort o
our part, because, it being alone the work {
God, all human exertions would be futile.
The argument that there should be legalit
attached to the sale of ardent spirits, should
carried further, and applied TO horse racing
gambling, &C.! Liquor, as beverage, we cor
tend, produces more evil than any other thin
that is. looked upon as morally wrong. MOI
outstanding we consider it the greatest ev
in society, we do not ask for a separate and di
,inet form of legislation-all that we do ask, i
70 place it on a footing with such businesses a
lotteries, gambling, &c. Lottery Offices pa
high revenues for their license, but the Legis
laturss Of many States, including our owl
have seen fit in their wisdom, to frOwn upon tn
granting of licenses, and many have refused s
to do; and why Because they were consit
cred as moral evil, having corrupt tendencie
Som regard to billiards, &c. Were not thes
forms Of vice talked, written, and preache
against without effect and was it not conside
ed stain upon the statute book to have Law
ap0n It's pages legalizing these very acts
sIekedness If legislation has been invoke
u sonse cases, why not in this, particular
when We see how far it towers above all Il
others.
we invoke Legislation, because the State b
not chosen TO Ieays IT to argument and NOR
suasion. It has not left it as it does religi,
and charity 70 the conseiences and good fee
rugs of mankind; but has authorized the sal
iegaIized il, and attempts 70 derive a reyenl
from it, as it does not from tainted meat, co
rupted drugs. sc. Argument and moral su
son are not relied on in any similar case.-
Arson, burglary. fighting. &c, which do not 4
spprecable part Of The mischief done by Il
traffic in ardent spirits, are notleit TO be chez
ed ny argument and moral snasion. but are o.
tirely prohibited by law. While many conse
entioes men can be influenced by moral suasic
there is large class, aud those most deep
interested 10 the matter too, who cannot ); a.
nhen arguments are forced upon Them. thu
s@.the their lcousciences with the plea tn
What stey do isIegaL AS a restraint on i
s<mpe5spes, the whole license system has TAI
ed. and must always fail. Finally we demar
Prohibition. because the traffic is of no benei