Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-13

nifty in this7 And yet this bill Is report
cd by one presuming to be Judge Of law,
and thus shows his knowledge .of the or
ganic laws Of the State. A stranger visit
ing Indiana and seeking location would
stand perfectly amazed when told that he
could do business In this township for one
hundred dollars, that he would have to
pay FIVE hundred dollars for in another
Why, in Gods name, Mr.. Chairman,
what are we coming to? Are our judges
getting so dull that they cannot under
stand the most plain and simple provisions
Of our very simple Constitution-the most
simple and foolish instrument, I think, ey-
er was gotten up? And what would the
stranger say, when told that he could do
business in one township that he would
have to pay five hundred dollars to do in
another. pray tell me? Why. sir, he wo'd
say right off, thought your laws were
uniform, and Of uniform operation, here in
Indiana?" The merest school boy can
see this, and It is useless for me 10 argue
this point further.
The Senator from Washington, (Mr. He
fren) labors hard to convince us that liquor
like any other property, should be pro-
tected by our laws. Why, sir, should we
protect poisoned meats? Should we pro-
tect the dies and plates of the counterfeit
ers? Should the laws protect pestilencs
and famine. and should zoe legislate so as
to uphold plaques and disease in our COM
munity? Most surely not. Mr.. President.
Then II not these, why sthe cursed wine
traffic? I am an advocate of law to re-
strain the sale and traffic in intoxicating
liquors, but for no laws that will make the
State partnership in crime. as the present
law proposes. If liquor has to be sold.
and viii be sold, don't make. the State a
partn er Of the liquor seller. Let whisky
with all its concomitant evils run free,
rather than make the treasury flush with
money made by the sale of souls. Sir. I
am forever opposed to the State getting
money under such circumstances, and, as
God is my judge, would rather this day
see the streets flooded with 'whiskey, and
look upon all the horrors the accused
traffic can bring upon our country, than
to see the State take one cent Of the mon-
ey thus obtained to fill Golfers.
Again: this bill applies the money thus
obtained for license to common school pur-
poses. To this am utterly opposed
Why, sir, will the day come when the
children Of Indiana are to be educated
with the money obtained by the sale Of
intoxicating liquors? tits contrary to the
liberal and enlightend spirit OF the age
It opens the door for legislation the peo-
pie Of Indiana never would endorse. And
holding the common school system so near
and dear to my heart as / do, / never
want TO see that fund set apart apure, ho-
ly and God-like purpose. contaminated by
the money Of the liquor-scller. No, sir.
neverl Let my children live and grow
up in ignorance; let them forget the les
sons they have learned at mothers knee;
and let them 60 prowling around the
streets begging Tor their bread, rather than
they should submit to the indignity Of de-
pending on the liquor seller for the
knowledge wherewith to make decent
and honest living. Sir, the pride Of my
heart Is my family circle, and the brightest
hopes I possess Is their honor; but rather
than have my pride so wounded by seeing
my dear children plodding their way to
school, and that school made by the law
of Of the back room Of the whisky shop,
I would rather see that circle blasted, and
hear the wild wind Of bleak and desolate
winter whisiling through the time-worn
crevices Of tho old homestead. Yes, sir,
rather than know that my children must
depend for an education on such resources,
I would rather follow them 10 their tomb
buried from my sight forever-look up
on their CLASSY eyes dilating in death, and
SEQ the last throbbing Of their young and
innocent hearts. than humbly bow the
head 10 such law. at
These, Mr.. Chairman, are few Of my
reasons for not supporting the bill Of the
gentleman from Hancock. Iopposeit up
on constitutional grounds, and from con-
scientious motives. hope Il will not
pass, for would rather have no law on
tho subject than to have one containing 20
many faults as the ono under consideration.
I am ever on tho side Of Temperance; but
while am 90, when I want law on that
subject. I want law that will do some
good, and not one 10 be declared unconsti-
tutional on the first meeting Of tho Su-
pvs,v,s Courk altar In pasearo.