Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-03-16

! like magnitude introduced and entertain
ed in their midst? No, sir, they would
Indignantly take up arms against the de-
stroyer. and assert tier rights to protect
themselves against such evils. That the
prohibition OF tie liquor traffic, is in &C
cordance with the object the people had
in view, when they adopted the consritu-
ton. cannot be doubted.
Why, sir. led us read what the people
sag they meant, and we have no reason
TO doubt their word. Here 1t is, We, ht
people of the State of Ohio, grateful 10
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure
its blessing and promote our cgmraon rsI-
fare, doestaJliSi this Constitution There
sir, we have in very few words. the
whole object of the Constitution. To Sc
cure The blessings of freedom, and pro
mote the common ,ceitarc of the people.
Now. sir, any business OF pursuit, that
has a tendency to operate against the
common good, though expressly sane
toned by an article in the Constitution,
contend is unconstitutional. because. it is
not in accordance with the object for which
the Constitution was framed and adopted.
Now, sir, we all admit the traffic in
intoxicating drinks 10 be opposed to the
common welfare" of the people, and
although we may pass the resolution as
it came from the committee, and the peo
pie may adopt it by their votes, and en-
graft it into the Constitution, even then, il
strikes me. it will BE- unconstitutional be
cause opposed TO the common good Of the
people.
Now, if we insist On submitting the
license question 10 the people, let Us
also amend the preamble TO the Consti
tuition, and make it harmonize with this
amendment. so that We may have no such
discord harshly grating on our ears.
This, sir, is q proposition 10 go back 10
a system long since abandoned. because
1t did not, IN its operation, please the
people. Indeed. sir the people generally,
b-lIeve Ohio is progressive S.ae. and
this attempt at reGrograde movement, l
assure you. will "astonish the nati:es, y
in some localities.
must confess. sir, 10 being somewhat
surprised myself. although having heard
it talked of Tor some time. yet | could not
really believe its advocates were in earn
est
had fondly hoped the license system
was so deeply buried in the past. as 10 be
held in remembrance, only as mark OF
our advancement towards our n anifssi
destiny" and had little thought that It's
resurrection. or, ratheri;s attempted res
direction. was so near at hand. for have
no faith that the people viii ever resuscl-
tate Ii.
Mr. SPEAKER am opposed 10 disturb
ing This subject in any way, at this time
but if it must be forced upon the people
in any shape, hope for the sake of suf
feiing humanity, and for the protection
Of our children, we may engraft the pro-
hibition clause into the Constitution, and
succeed in staying the onward march Ct
this potent evil.
No mans rights can be molested By
this procedure, because no man has ong
sjght to stand in the way of the public
good.
But, sir, whether individuals rejoice OF
complain, tie legislature should not hes
itate to protect the people against all
evils, so far as may be, that originate
from either individual or associated
enterprise.