Smyrna times., 1857-09-23
Our Correspondence.
Hritten for the Smyrna Times.
To g Ironicus."


The article subscribed " lronicus" gives, in
its style and signature, sufficient clue to its ori
gin. At least, so We think; but this is not i'm
portant. II represents the sentiments OF GER
tain class of anti-temperance men, and will
serve the purpose of bringing into discussion
several points of interest. The first is: Were
the relig ious members o. our Slate Legislature
morally culpabIe for the part they took an the
passage fthe License Lao
We use the term religious members instead
of members of the ehurch,-Ihe terms are suf-
fciently equivalent to each other for our Pur-
pose. Every member of a Christian church is
a professor of religion. Every church Is re-
ligious society,--in the language of the 18th OF
the 80 articles, is congregation OF faithful
men," &c. Every man who connects himself
with church. by that very act, makes pro-
fession OF religion. He processes to be mem
Der of a religious body-to be governed by re-
ligious principles. His conduct may be very
inconsistent with such profession, but that
does not effect the truth of our remarks.
Now then, were the men of whom we speak
guilty of moral wrong in aiding to substitute
license system for prohibitOry law! No, says
Ironicus; they did it as men, aud not as church
members. Well, if the devil gets such men,
the church members will be near enough after
them to smell birthstone.
But the common sense of the community re-
pudiates the doctrines of Ironicus. Ii a certain
member of the Legislature, notorious for his
disregard of moral principle, was detected in
receiving a bribe, the community would hardly
be surprised--it would be just in keeping with
his character. But ifa member, who proicssrd
10 be a religious man, did such a thing, the
moral sense of the community would be out
ragged; it would give powerful shock to pub
lie confidence; the question would be-whn
can we trust! This is common sense, and it
stamps the reasoning as illogical and untrue.
Again: These Legislators of whom we speak,
may have owed their election, in part to the
fact that they were religious men in profession.
Many of their constituents may have given
them their suffrages because they were men
protesting to be governed by religious princi-
pie to be above mere party consderat Ons
men who would seek by all means to suppress
vice and immortality; men who, il they erred
in judgment would be sure to err on the side oil
good morals. The public had right to expect
this of them. Ii religion will not make a man
better man in all relations, it isn't worth a
sneeze. But need not argue SO plain point
further.
Now, what did these men whose religious
character has been called into question They
repealed a law which done more to sustain
public morals in this State than any ether on
the statute-book. We had occasion to travel
during the existence of that law, great deal
through the State, aud to visit some localities
notorious for drunkenness and its accompany
ing and inseparable immuraitles. and we were
more than astonished at It's salutary effects
Our own town bore witness TO its efficacy. To
be sure, there was then great deal of illegal
selling at that time, but that was esteemed dis
creditable aud gave it's perpetrators bad repu
tatnon. And even this illegal selling wouIu
have been corrected in time.
But they not only repealed this law-they
passed one which has given an impetus to vice
and immortality hardly equalled in the history
Of this State. They licensed business whIcl
has always been the most prolific source o
crime and pauperism in this country. The
vast majority OF crIninal cases coming before
our courts have their origin in iHtemperance
this gives TO our jails and pOOrho -ses the great
est number of their inmates. But look to Oul
town. Drunkenness and It's associate evils are
on the increase to an alarming degree. VIZ
have houses in our midst that would dis. rae,
the Five Points of New York.
Well, these godly men, these pious member,
of the Legislature, gave their aid and support
10 this inIqu'Ious Jaw. They opened upon the
whole State the Aoodgates of crime aud pau.
perism,-and we have a right to suspect tbeI
religious profession. They have plainly show
ed that moral and religious considerations Dc
not always govern them. We have determine,
they shall feel the scorpion lash OF Indignation
Jt is time such men knewtIhey cannot Outrage
the public sense of propriety with impunIty.--
They shall hear from again.
SARCAsTUs.