The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-03-17

by Democrats. Their purport was, that a
good example does more to advance fem
perance reform, than the enactment and en-
forcement Of rigid laws and in this senti-
ment all concurred.
The resolution that met with warm oppo-
sition, and which was finally laid on the ia
bic. because it was seen that it could not be
passed, was of the following purp,rt, though
the exact wording do not recollect IRE
solved, That the City Council deserve the
censure Of this meeting, for not having ia
ken more active measures for suppressing
Intempcrance in our place" --
This resolution was opposed for three
principal reasons. First, that it was incon-
sistent with the main body Of the resolutions
already hassed; Second, That the Law, as
it at present stands upon the Statute Books,
is confused and unsettled, owing to the re-
visions and amendments it has undergone
since it was originally passed.. Third, That
even granting that prosecutions could be
made under the law, the City Council were
no more bound to enforce it than private
citizens. These were the reasons assigned
by those opposed to the passage Of the said
resolution.
This resolution was framed by D ,:n,crats,
reported by Democrats, and its passage ear
ncstly advocated by Dem )crats; and all in
the same Temperance Meeting, "whercin,' -
says the Statesman, "Republican Orators
made thrilling speeches against TIE rum par
ty." have said no more than can be prov
ed by the Records. have bat one more
word to add and then nm don,.
After tn. Republican Orators had sta
ted the reasons above recited, why the reso-
luton Of censure should not pass, and taken
their seats, Sir Diynitas arose-those who
were present will know whom mcan-and
listen you Democrats who have SO recently
availed yourselves of his valuable services
hear what h, said in that Temperance
Meeting"
IL was not for passing vot, of censurl
on the City Council without first giving
them hearing 1 did not know what they
had done for the suppression of liquor selling
in our city. Now, Mr., member of
that body, has informed us. thi TX the
City Council deserves the ccnsure of this
meeting for having taken no more active
measures to enforce the Law. They are the
City Fathers Egad! .. ..@." 81.
"And here comes the City Solicitor, he
who should be to them the expounder of the
Law, and says that they don't know as there
is any law for them to enforce" Gn saving
that ne stated what was false, for the CITY
Solicitor said no such thing.) "If the City
Solicitor is ignorant Of tn, Law, let him 20
home and read it. The Law Ia, been de-
clared Constitutional, which the Solicitor
will find, il he viii rsld the Reports of the
State The City says it cannot find any
one to prosecute under the Law. If Msy
0W come to me, I ~iW lend (seiD them n.y
ser'ices; "na aoouId feel prouA to yols..5esr
IN such a noble cause. will use my best
Efforts to lay PROSTATE this lily Ira, Ilt..nper-
ance.''
Thus much said Sir Dignitas AMI sat
down. Had been in the boots of Mr.. So
iicitor, would have follow ii in strai, a.,
unsentlemanly As that pursued by his HDn
| woull not only have giycn him tn, Il.
without any qualification, but would have
told Oil him some truths relative to the his.
tory of MS public life, that would have becl
disgusting to even his morbid senses.
Since Ssr Djyaitus made this show ol
81 eech, what do we finl him doingy ;;el
ling, as hav" before intirated, his pr ,founI
legal services to those III distress, distres.
into which his Hon. anl other Democrat.
have plunged them.
Nov my readers, one of two things is cer,
tain, either Sir Dtgnitas, with his peerles.
assoclates,was, by this Temperance move
ment, figuring for political capital, or else he
was paving the way to litigation, durins
which ne might reasonably expect to reap
rich harvest.
Ry this movement he either intended t.
secure to himself and the Democratic Party
Temperance votes, at future elections; or ex
cite the law abiding citizens into an en-
forcement of the Liquor Law, with the ex.
pectation, in the end, Of adding to his own
stores. care not which horn of the dlen-
ma his Hon. takes, either will suspend him
in shame before the eyes of the public.
What has been said of this one, will apply
to all who followed in his wake. Can YOU
place confidence in the honesty of such men
as these? SELF DEFENSE.
For the Courier.