Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-24
IOWA CITY LETTER.

4tPFttss Nei'ss ouoeuCc OF TUG
Iowa CIR, Feb. IL. 1868.
1.-The saying tast The world 10 too much
governed has become 50 common and
srit. thai hardly Zee, like repeating it.
Perhaps. II were TO pu, it in other language
and say that, 2hc greatest curse OF Tie pres
at ayr, ~ tis country. is too much legisla
tar. might have a hearing on account OF
he nose,ty, If not for the absolute verify Of
che expression. But, As novel as it may
seem, without being more fully defined,
your correspondent 10 fully convin need that,
no proposition would open up wider n.ld
for discussion just now, or . more defend
able position in th" presen: status Of the po-
li,icsl situation in the United States, or in
this state, or any cou ~. or even any town
ship IN the State.
A. legislation 10 the order Of the day Just
oow. We may IS we'll have word or two on
that subject. As | said in my last that
would probably say something on the hquor
question. and as il very naturally comes in
here. l will devote page to this subject.
add after~ards proceed to make the appli.
cation 10 the main proposition above
stated.
In looking around this place end full
supply Of saloons, which are "all In good
running crdsr," selling all descsiptions Of
liquors, beer, ale and wine. Nov. The stat
u,cs OF this State have, for the past ten
years expressly forbidden the sale Of intoxi.
eating liquors. II %. Why ass they sold
Tue only answer that can b made II that
the Law does not accord scith public senti-
ms~f. Men are selling and drinking iotoxi-
eating hquors ia coAsraseu,iOn Of lav.-
What il The rssultr A disyvspees Of iar
Ono Of the greatest evils that en- befall
republic 10 . want Of regard for the sacred
mess Of tae. One Of our greatest boasts hss
besa THAI while ws have bseo Repu bile.
~ have preserved perfect regard for the
Lac and tho constitution, and that has been
our political salvation. But whom you be
GIN to teach the people that they can disre-
gard Law with impunity. they will soon
think tina, they can disregard the Constitu.
ton, and fall back ON the "higher law" If
the higher law" prevails, then secession il
right wherever the Constitution does no,
slt the particular section 70 which il an
pies. Secession IL the legitimate offspring
OF the higher law" doctrine. aud hence al
the evils that have befallen US as na,,o,
FanstcIsm and Puritanism leads Ia. or
ends and results in too much legislation =
Now | say when there is too much legisla.
ton, and people begin too feel that Mag
ma ChartA' il needed to protect their mr.
vate rights, and feel that the Law is not "ac-
cariiag to reason that somethlpr il
wrong that few are forcing their peculiar
views upon the balance Of the community
the balance revolt,-and hence the trouble
we'now have ofpeople disregardine the iars.
and OF havi-g laws tho authoritses Dc NOT
dare 90 enforce.
So long ~ the sacrsdnes Of Law is disre-
g'rdei, ws may expect trouble ia this coun- |
Try 50 long - the Radicals and fanatics |
control and force the ideas in the shape Of |
crude laws upon the country, 20 long W |
NAV expect trouble AID ssrieusly dread the |
.a.efs results for this country. I used TO |
tn'nk mat the biggest fool II the world vas
the man Who thought he could reform thu
world IN day; bat ia,t.riy I have come "a
the coac us'on that he ia greats, fool -
thinks no Can force "sre., 49,, 80
upon the community at iiree NV ,r.,rs ae
lag. when that law 10 not con,a,.,., -
public sentiment VIII
Not long since one Of this kind Of so,,.
requested mc 70 sign . paper which mn,
ported to DO petition To the Legislature Ia
strike thu Beer aud Wine" clause out Of
the. "Prohibuo-y Liq,or LAW" Said !. /
why don't you enforce what you have /
Srst, and then talk about prohibiting beer |
aad vine? Instead Of answering ny ques-
t'oo. he asksd me. with that purisanic NASAL |
swang psculiss % New Iselasd, avail don't |