Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-02-29

tueS Tue Magpctic leieSraPu uocs " oiuu
turtle-wo must drink whiskcy because
the semi-barbarians of an hundred years
ago, and the fali-blooded barbarians of
three hundred years ago, drank it !! Away
then, with your sourkrout and roast tur-
keys, for our ancestors lived on raw wood
chucks aud blackbcrries Away with
your well fitting garments and comfortable
homes, for our ancestors went naked, and
lived in caves! Away with your laws and
your religion, for our ancestors had the
spear and the battle axe for the one, and
altars red with the gore of human sacrifice
for the other! Away with Art and Sci
euce and Liberty! Away with all that
elevates man above the brute, and devel-
opes the god-likc attributes of his nature
for they were unknown to our ancestors
and bring back ignorance, superstition
and iron heeled oppression, for they are
eonseerated BY the lapse Of hoary ages :.
As uot suas tuc iucd VI tuc CeuaV"i, oooAh
of its tinsel, and exposed in all its naked
uglinsss and feeble deformity?
He tells US too, that the enactment,
which he says is "aptly termed the jug
Law" increases drunkenness, and as a
matter Of course the consumption of whis
key. Then, sir, why do those who are inte-
rested in the sale of it, and whose especial
representative he seems to be, in this
chamber, beg SO piteously for its repeal ?
Do they sell too much? Are their profits
too great under the present law? can
not understand it. The Senator and my
self must have learned to cypher out Of
different arithmetics.
He tells us the poor can not get news
papers or books, and must therefore have
whiskey to amuse them. As far as my
experience goes, this is very delightful
amusement. 1t must be very "amusing"
to the poor inebriate to behold the rags
and wretchedness of his forlorn and desc
late home-to witness the squalid misery
of his wife, and hear the walls Of his hun
cry children. 1t must be right down anu
sing, when he comes to lead felou's life,
and to meet felon's doom. Mr. Speaker,
to all such innocent amusements, am
"constitutionally" opposed.
He tells US that because thousands abuse
themselves, it is no reason why the supply
should be cut off from millions, and they
subjected to this terrible deprivation. i
hope shall always be deprived of it; for
it strikes me, sir, that whiskey is like Vir-
ginia lands, the more you have of it the
poorer you are.
The Senator says We have no conf Hence
in man, because we would restrain him.
Has the Senator such confidence, that he
would lift the ban of the law from theft,
and robbery, and murder? Would he
make these little pastimed, free? or is
that carrying his ideas of amusement fur
ther than he intended? Surely, sir, the
Senator's cranial Developments are too
good, to allow US to believe he was in ear
nest in all that be has said.
Vain, vain must be all their efforts to
palliate the enormities of intemperance.
As well might they attempt to Golfer dam
Niagara Falls with saw dust, or put out
the fire of the sun with an elder squirt.
The fitting Of Don Quixote against wind
mill was not only good sense, but down.
right genius, in comparison with the task
they have imposed upon themselves. lie
only shivered bis lance and upset his old
horse, while they are trying to butt their
brains out against fortress which time
and the devil united can never overthrow.
Mr.. Speaker, it may astonish some Sem
ators that I have treated this subject with
60 little show of burlesque. The general
run of our business here affords oppor;uni-
ty enough for its exercise. But, sir, there
are occasions when jocoseness is not only
inappropriate, but indecorous. When prin-
ciples are discussed that lie at the fouuda-
tion of public prosperity and private hap
pincss-that involve the welfare or misery
of millions of our fellow citizens-the
laugh and jest should find no place.
The statistics of the evils of drunkenness
have become a school boys story, and
need 40 repetition here. Their effects
upon poor houses, hospitals, luna,ic asyl-
ums, prisons, and the gallows, are under
stood not only BY Senators, but by all man
kind. They are written in terrible aud
unfading letters upon every page of the
worlds history. The mou!dering ruins of
cities attest their power, and the "decline
and fall' Of empires bear witness of their
universally.
The details of this amendment for which
/ intend to vote, have been honestly and
cloqucntly set forth by the Senator (Nr.
Browue) from whose hands it chiefly ema
mated. / have confidence in his ability to
defend it; and more than all, l have con-
I.noo in bis infayr;,r he oo,.., -