Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-04-19

PRESIDENT HOPKINS OS TIE LIQUOR LAW.
We copy from the North Adams Trans
eipt the following, from the pen Of President
Hopkins, OF Williams College, upon the
license question. 1t is a condensed, compre-
housiye and unanswerabie reiutation Of the
eading sophistries Of the license movement.
To the Editor Of the Traascripi,
What I heard while at Boston last week,
where / was summoned TO sppesr before the
committee on the license law, led ne to think
there is misapprehension in some minds which
may perhaps be removed by brief statements On
the following points
!. The name Of the iaC. The present law
suffers from lite name. 1t Is called = proti5u9-
~ Law. II Is not prohbitory. Il authorizes
the sale under restrictions, and that is precisely
what is proposed under the law asked for. The
principle is the same in both.
2 The relation Of the tau 10 liberty. Here
again the principle Of the present, and Of the
proposed law, is the same Under both, indiyi-
dual action that would tend 10 avert crime is
restrained. The only difference Is that in one
case the restraint is greater than in the other
II it be asked why restrain individual liberty till
crime is committed, the question presses with
equal iorce on OOth sides.
9. lis relation 10 the rights Of a O. c0umu7i-
fy. The proper limit to the liberty Of the indi-
vidusl is the rights of others. So far as human
law is concerned, every man has a right to DO
what he will if it does Hot interfere with the
rights Of others But men have rights OF pro
perty, and no man has a right to engage IN any
business that viii directly or indirectly deprive
them Of this without their consent. To author
ize men TO do this is to defeat the end Of law.
But this license law does. It not merely au-
thorizes men TO sell alcohol in LIQUORS, but 10
sell them in such way as is sure to produce
this result and largely too. Let those who sell
be compelled to pay the taxes caused by the
traffic, and they would stop it At once.
f. It's relation IL morals. II is not within
the scope or power of law TO make men moral,
but the corruption Of morals may be guarded
against This distinction is not always made
No intelligent legislator attempts the first the
second IS, and always has been. regarded as L.
gitimate. said at Bosto., and say now, that
legislation has the same right to prevent that
display Of intoxicating drinks which VIII tempt
men to drunkenness as it has to prevent the
exhibition OF indecent pictures or shows. Legs
lation has the same relation to morals that il
has to health Right legislation does not make
man rich or strong Il removes obstacles and
nuisances, and gives fair field for individual
care and enterprise. In every sense rumhole
is a nuisance, and none the less if it be licensed
.. is relation 10 other legislation. This
law stands on much frner ground than that
which restraints the sale OF lottery tickets. Why
not let people buy and sell these bits Of paper as
they please, They DO not iujure the health at
all nor do they iujure the character or proper
ty as did the sale OF alcoholic liquors under
license law, and Jet it is thought proper T.
r-tr.rfI tho
6. Gre hciau time. Il l. only recently
that it has teen fully recognized az consiitu-
tonal, and II is the fear that it will lie success
full that stimulates the advocates Of different
law 10 such extraordinary and expensive efforts.
!. alcohol n nature. Ii was much INSISTED
on by the distinguished council for change in
the Law, that alcohol is universally iliiusel in
nature. He said there was alcohol IN the walls
Of the State House This is a mistake There
is alcohol even in the grain from which il is
distilled, just as much as there is powder IN the
salt-petre and charcoal before they are mixed,
or as there is a cannon in an iron nine, and no
more.
S. The State Coasia5ulary. 1t is said by
some that the appointment Of such an agency
indicates the weakness Of tie Law. To me the
necessity Of il indicates the veuomous nature Of
the element engenderei by the sale and drink
ing Of intoxicating drinks. This makes the cas-.
exceptional In many communicate most,
even though large majority we're in favor Of
the law, no resident can seek 10 put the law in
force without endangeriug his person and pro-
pertY. sipce ny return / have inquired uertl-
cularly In regard 10 the operation Of this force
here, and Ind that II works admrablv. The
books OF the police court will show that the
criminal eases connected with drinking have Al
nlnishei more than one-half since the lay went
into operation.
.. License and anti-!icease compared. l,
was stated 10 have been ia eyideace before the
committee, that a neighboTing tosn where there
IS license Is more reliable than this on the tern.
peranee question. This vas IN opposition 10 all
had learned previously, or have been able 10
learn since Il is only last week thar n man
vas hung for most fagi;ious murder commit
ted II that town, and VIGOROUSLY under tbe IN
ruence OF intoxicating drink.
an aware Of the great difficulties If this
question. For the legitimate sale and use of
everything would grant the fullest opportuuity,
Whether the present Law is as well framed as II
might be, do not know. So far as understand
it, The petition Of the apothecaries should be
granted. Ii there can be greater freedom Al
other points without frustrating the object the
lsw, hope il may be gwen but hope never
70 see again on the statute book Of Massachu.
sets law that shall make il respectable forauv
man TO stand up behind bar AMI sell liquor by
tn glass.
Thanking you for the stand you have taken
IN this subject, am, truly yours,