The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-02-09

auga cannot use language too strong to
paint the gigantic evils that arise from
the unrestrained sale of ardent spirits
We know, sir, that our whole race is be-
ing crushed with its blighting, damning
power. The poisonous breath of the
"stiN ,co'rs" has spread pes.ilence, crime,
disease and death among the children of
men, every circle of society has, to a
greater or less extent, felt its whitening
power. The high and the low, the rich
and the poor,the noble and the ignoble, the
bond and free, the Sythian and the Bar
barian, all, all have been affected by the
malarious breath from its copper nos
trils. Yet, sir, we find men, even upon
this floor, of apparent good sense, who
are willing to oppose measure calculated
to restrain its power and influence.
BY reference to the report of the mi
nority of the Temperance Committee, on
the second page, it will be seen they use
this language: rs- - 'r = :s
1.-The majority tell us in their report,
that lin the hands of the people every
propositiouis safe.' Far be it from US
to controvert this position. If the peo-
pie might vote upon the recommendation
of this committee tomorrow, without
trouble and expense to themselves, with
out excitemene and canvassing, simply
going to the polls and depositing their
ballots, we could not object. But we all
well know this will not be-that no uues-
tion of Importance can be voted upon
without investigation, discussion, and
more or less of excitement.
What, sir, are We to understand that the
minority are opposed to investigation and
discussion? Are those gentlemen afraid
to let the people make the proper inqui-
ry and act understandingly? Are those
gentlemen afraid Of the light, lest on
coming to the light their deeds be expos
ed? If the people might vote upon the
recommendation ofthis committee to NOR
row, without trouble and expense to them
selves, without excitement and clnvassing,
simply going to the polls and depositing
their ballots we could not object" Then,
Mr.. Speaker, the minority do mot OBJ
ject" to submitting this question to the
people, or in other words, are in favor of
submission, if it can be done in secrecy
and in darkness, without Investigation
and without expense" As to the first
objection, sir, l apprehcnd that the peo-
pie do not wish to adopt or reject great
measure, like the one proposed, without
properly "canvassing" and .investlgat-
ing" the subject. @ @ -"'s .
As TO the second objection, I am led
to believe that the minority was very
hard put to for pretext on which to
found a counter report. EXPENSE =
Permit me to enquire of those gentle
men what the expense of the submission
proposed would be? Sir the expense
would be merely nominal if anything OF
all. The Judges of the election and
Clerks are paid by the day, and receiv-
ing and counting the votes cast upon
this proposition, would not probably, in
one single instance, increase the expense
of holding the election. But, sir, if il
does create an outlay of few dollars
and change is brought about, by the
vote, by which the Legislature will be
enabled to put check to the boundless
traffic in the elements of misery anl
death, where is the Philanthropist who
would raise his voice against the invest
ment? sara. ef .s. 1ss.
But again, I assert, sir, without III,
fear Unsuccessful contradiction, that if tn,
18th section of the 18th article of tn,
Constitution is, by the people, stricken
out, and the Legislature thereby ena
bleo to pass such laws as will turn bacl
the tide of finebriation, and set bounds t.
the manufacture, importation and sale O
alcohol, thousands and tens Of thousand
of dollars will, thereby, be saved to the
people Of Ohio, that is now annually ex
pended in carrying On criminal prosecu
tions, that grow out Of the unbounde(
sale of liquor. If we are to look at th
question in pecuniary point ofview
(and the minority have fixed it upon us
every argument is In favor of well re
stricted license system. Not only i
1nCiO StOd1 ooFluS LII tHe way JUS
pointed out, but there would be a reven
ne accruing from the sale. But gentle
: men tell US that "legalizing .wrony
does not make it right" grant the posi-
ton, but, sir, 1 ask gentlemen to con
trast the present condition of our Stat
with its condition under the old loose Ii
cense System, and they will find over on
. hundred places where liquors are nov
sold to one under that system. Then
, if by allowing one man to sell under re
strictions, will put stop to the sale j
/ more than one hundred other places.
: not great good accomplished?
Again, by reference to the fourth pag
! of the report of the minority, it will
seen that they use this language: i'
at would have been desirable that til
r majority had furnished more reliable dat
, by which to determine their proposition
that "The manufacture and importation
' of alcoholic liquors in the State bein
far greater every year than before th