North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-06-19

License ceavsntisn.
At 6 o'clock Tuesday, june 18th, the
Alamakee, Capt. Fitzgerald, left for Gut.
tenberg. At p. NJ. she returned, flag.
ged, festooned, with Band of Music and
several hundred Of the citizens of Gut.
tenberg and Clayton with large sprink.
ling Of wives and daughters. As the boat
was to return at 4 there was little time for
social greetings, and business :" was the
word. Our Band responded to their
brothers on the boat, and soon after q
large assemblage was organized in Cam.
brian Hall. ~
Hon. B. II. Pelzer, the Mayor of Gut
tenberg, was called to the chair, and G..
Henry Erese, Of McGregor, elected Seere-
tary. f'a
Thos. Updegraff, Esq, was called out
and made. q most eloquent as we'll as a
practical speech against the enactment Of
sumptuary and imperative laws. We
have no report of any Of the speeches
but Tom". is said to have done the
cause of License rs. Prohibition world
Of good. Joel Van Orman, Esq, deliver
ed brief address, pertinent to the occa-
sion, and strong argumentatively, in favor
Of judicious license system in lieu of the
present prohibitory nullity. Hon. David
Hammer then took the floor and in brief
speech exposed the encroachmcnts Of Fa-
naticism, indulging, at times, in some per-
sonalities toward those who acted as agents
for the restraint of personal freedom. His
language is called very severe by some,
but Dave says the parties whom he de-
nounced sncaked to destroy him and his
individual rights, and he is not afraid to
denounce then in public above-board
manner. Allthe speakers were vocifer-
ously applauded. After the speeches the
following Preamble and Resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Your Committee, appointed to draft res
olutions relating to the so-called "Temper-
ance' fanatics, submit the following:
Frnsr-We hold the Prohibitory Law OF Iowa as
unjust TO mercantile interests, because II deprives
sna
the redress in courts extended to all other branches
SEcOND-We consider the existing law one of the
most potent agents Of Intemperance; from its pro-
ia the hands q pe1sos snd Sa
othes; parties from engaging I'm . business which Il
THIKD-In view Of the immense revenue derived
nom destllefs and liquor merchants, we deem their
protection matter Of duty on the part of every
FouRTH-we hereby pledge. Ourselves to use all
the Prohibitory law Of Iowa. and the substitution Of
an equitable License system. and to this end we
Rereser as unit In defence 81 pessonsi and Is Su nS.
ness rights TO withhold our support from all persons
posns paSicy he aw snd cy
= JudicfOus License system.
On motion of Hon. ID. Hammer the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted:
FInsI.The President and Secretary have power
70 appoint persons in each township for local organi
sECoND-The newspapers Of the County be respect
fully requested to publish the proceedings Of this
THIRp-The President be authorised to call meet.
ing Of the friends OF Personal Liberty Ut such place
and time Is he may deem proper.
Before the adjournment, the Secretary,
by request, read the following letters:
McGxEcoR, June 18th, 81.
Gentlemen II have been requested by
several persons who will be present at the
Convention of the "friends of personal
freedom" in McGregor, to he with you
and express my views on the propriety Of
repeating or sustaining the present pro-
hibitory liquor law of Iowa.
Business engagements will make it i'm
possible for me to meet you on that occa-
sion. l believe that public sentiment
throughout the whole country is rapidly
settling into the conviction that all prohib-
tory sumptuary laws are unwise and in
expedient, that they have failed to accom-
plish their avowed purpose, and only az.
5tta0asS tho OWLS they are intended to cor.
rect. The people. Of Iowa have tried the
b1eeent law during thirteen years, and il
has proved political hobby for men ia
ride into power on and nothing more.
In Massachusetts, and in Maine-except
where the law is not needed-it.is dead
letter, and its attempted enforcement has
..TJ..
Any movement, which has for its object
the repeal of the present law, and the en-
actmcnt in its stead of judicious license
law. will have my sympathy and support.
/ believe that the evils of incompetence
will be more effectually removed BY such
a law, which will enforce itself, than by
keeping on the statute book a law which in
spirit is an invasion of personal liberty
and contrary to the genius of our repub-
lican institutions. The real friends of
emperance-among whom l class my
sel-can accomplish more good with
law by which We can control than we can
with law by which professed temperance
men In cain seek to prohibit the use of ar
dent drinks.
AS real temperance mar, shall labor
for an early repeal of the present prohibi-
tory law, and the enactment of q wise IL
cense law in its stead.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN T. SroxExAS.
GUTENBERG, June l6, 81.
Mr.. Isesident Having been invited to
attend the meeting which will convene at
McGregor on the 18th instant and finding
that engagements will not permit mo teSe
present, ! desire to say thut during q
residence of thirty-three years in Iowa, l
have been practically temperance man.
And have never hesitated during that time,
whenever an opportunity offered to urge
upon others habits of temperance, and l
have no hesitation in saying, that it is my
firm belief, based upon many years of
personal observation; that the. existing
Liquor Law of Iowa has not only greatly
retarded tho cause Of Temperance, but is
aiding and contributing to the demoraliza-
ton ef society, to an alarming extent, par
ticularly throughout the river counties of
A stringent License system, ] am well