Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-11-24
G PROTECTION.

The christian church In our country has
the great work resting upon her of pre-
serving our society from ruin. Her infu-
ence must be the substratum of all true
reform. She MI be the salt of society.
But her influence is that of moral s%uasi0n.
She does not dictate the civil laws of our
land, yet her influence should be so great,
so persuasive, that our laws would be
christian laws in harmony with the great
principles of freedom. There are other
moral institutions which have grown up
under her influence, which operate in the
same sphere. inspired by the same spirit.
All Of these have their work in educating
public opinion, and by personal effort in
saving individuals from moral ruin. Civil
government was instituted to do something
different, and yet in the same direction
The duty of government is to promote the
general interests of society and to protect
the individual in the possession of proper
ty and the pursuit of happiness. The duty
of civil government is to protect and foster
all that is for the welfare of the subjects.
Civil government has then a moral end, a
quasi religious end. Government was APP
pointed by God. 1t alone has a right to
infiict temporal penalties. Civil govern
ment must then protect religion, that is,
freedom of. worship without molestation
and liberty. of conscience. This, our gov
eminent does, Civil government must
protect property in all its interests. In
order to this she must protect the morals
of society. The morality of a commu-
nifty affects very materially the value of
property in that community. \ man will
not buy property where his children are
in danger of growing up to be drunkards.
A respectable man will not be willing to
rent property which looks out upon a gro
Gerry, if he can avoid it. Ought not socie-
ty to be protected then against that which
not only destroys the peace and quiet of
the community, but makes almost worth
less the property of the individual? 1t
seems but common justice. Ought not
the majority of a community to control
that community? Have we sufficient laws
to protect our good people in the county
of Washington? Why are they not enforc-
ed then? We know if the laws were prop
erly enforced, that we would witness a
better state of things among us. But we
need better laws. Especially do we need
a law which will protect the better class of
society against the i~ntemperance of others.
Our Legislators would do something wor-
thy of record, if they would give us a law
by which a majority of the citizens in any
county. town, or district could say that
ardent spirits should not be made or sold
therein, except for medical purposes
That would give soc iety a protection which
is needed, which is felt by all good citi-
zens, Why can we not have such a law
as this? Why does not the press through
out the State lift up the voice and cry for
it in the name of humanity? Yea, in the
name of all the interests of society,"
There is no evil so great-none so utterly
destructive of life, of property and of hap
piness. If our laws are for the benefit of
the greater number, let us have such a
law. Let petitions pour into our Legisla-
tive halls from every part of the State, and
let us call our servants to account at the
ballot-box if such a law is not passed.