Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-06-25

removing the temptation, ana consequently
silencing the demand for the supply. As
passionate thirst for intoxicating drinks is al
acquired habit, if these were entirely remov
ed, the habit would not be formed, the sup
ply would not be desired, and the legal re
striction would not feel burdensome.. Shal
we suffer incorporate habits to be created
through the community, and then say, oh
moral suasion can remove them,-leave tht
work of reformation to itS Why impose
upon it such .grievous and undesirable task
Is it not better to giveit no occasion for sucf
employ? And here, I would remark, tha
the appearance of legality and right which
the license system gives to the sale and ust
of ardent spirits, has been serious barrier
to the success of moral suasion. The seller
and purchaser feel that they are acting legal
ly, and that the trainers of our laws knew
their duty, and they rest contented. They
shield their consciences behind the conscien
ces of the law makers.
But can we not legislate after the manner
of the Maine Law, and give the religion and
morality of the Bible the praise, if such leg
islation should be productive of good? Lei
the morality of the Gospel do the work, but
let it WELD the civil law as an instrument
Let it enact law like the one we are advo
eating, let it put it into effective operation
when enacted, and then let it have all the
glory. Religion has right to make its in
Auence felt in civil councils of the land. AL
ready has it left its impress upon our civil
government If it had not, wherein would
our country differ this moment, from pagan
lands? Do you not descry the impress Of
its religion upon the civil institutions of eve
ry land under the sun And here, where
we are blessed with Heavens, own religion
shall We forbid her to show her face behind
the throne? We are no friends, It's true,
to the union of Church and State. We dc
not wish to see our blessed religion, which
has winged her fight into our midst from q
brighter sphere, pompously decorated with
worldly trappings, and made the splendid
menial of worldly power. We would look
upon her in her native dress, and bow be-
bore her in all her majestic simplicity, Just
as she came from the bosom of God. Blu,
may We not ask that her heavenly counsels
be respected in ourhalls of legislation May
we not declare to the world, by the mora
beauty of our laws, that We are entertaining
a celestial visitant, that white-robed ma
tive of theskies has setfoot upon our shores
Go on, thou sanity religion,-go on, thor
pure Gospel morality, and fulfil your mission
Raise your voice in our legislative halls
whisper your words of wisdom in the ears Of
those who make and execute our laws-stim
ulate every citizen to duty-and stiAe this
fell-destroyer, Intemperance, in every corne,
where he may take refuge. Rest not in youl
career of mercy, until our nation has become
throughout, in bone and sinew, in flesh and
blood, in mind and heart, genuinely Chris
tian.
But we are also told that the principle
involved in such Legislation will lead to reli
gious intolerance; that some order of reli
gionists, say the Roman Catholics, may be-
come strong enough to control the laws Of
the land ,.and to restrict the liberty of choice
in the matter of worship. This is not a just
illustration. This would be trampling upor
the rights of conscience. No man has.eve,
yet said that his conscience compelled him
to sell or to buy ardent spirits. The con,
sumption of liquor is matter of appetite,
and the sale matter of worldly speculation,
The sacred rights of conscience are not in.
volved. And why was not this great con.
Germ for our religious privileges awakened BY
the legislation on lotteries, gambling, and
hunting in the night with gun, by fire.
light? Why was not the cry then raised
that our hands might soon be tied by reli
gious intolerance
Itis also said, that the Maine Law is in.
sulting and cruel; insulting, because it toe
impertinently scrutinizes private life, and
cruel, because it seizes and destroys ones
property. No one need fear that Els private
life will be disturbed if he:behayes decent.
ly> This law recognizes the sanctity Of
homes, and it aims to defend them. It il
not the consumption, but the supply which
it directly assails. 1t speaks to the grog.
seller rather than to the consumer. 1t aims
to operate upon the fountain from which the
destructive tide issues And as to its cruel.
ty, no one will suffer the penalty who does
not violate the statute. Law-abiding men
will not be touched. Only those who spread
misery, and woe, and sorrow, and conten.
tions, and babblings, and wounds without
cause, and redness of eyes through the com.
munity, shall suffer punishment. Our law.
book now gives any Justice in the county
the right to seize the monies you have staked
in betting, and hand it over to the wardens
for the use of the poor. And would it be
any more cruel to say to the liquor-dealer, il
you purchase quantity of ardent spirits to
distribute through the community, and con-
vert your fellow-citizens into destructive ma.
MACS, it shall be seized and destroyed
And what if few individuals should lose a
few dollars worth of liquor? Better this
than that the whole land should suffer, yea,
after year, the horrible evils of intemperance
According to Chancellor Kent, "the maxim
of law is, that private mischief is to be
endured rather than public incomvenience. u
And according to another eminent civilian
"the acknowledged police power of State
extends often to the destruction of property