Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-03-21
TO THE CITIZENS OF OHIO.

As the tims Is near at hand for tho srlecti' n
Of deleE ites to the State Con ,litutionll Cnnvei
lion, you cannot be too deeply impressed with
the importass Of the duty now dovolving upon
you. The future peace aud prosperity Of our
State greatly depend upon a proper rscenstruc =
ion Of the orasnie law therefore, 1t is absolutely
essential that The Convention be composed VI
delegates who are in every respect representa-
tive men.
! The proposed reforms in the judicial systcr',
aud other contemplated changes, require the
exercise Of sounder siatesmanAh'p than that
which is obtained by mere partisan contest.
While II is desirable that IN the selection oi dele
gates, the people siiould riso above party pref
erencss, aud selhah purposes it is deplorablc
fact that an organized effort ia being made un
the part ef those interested iu the traffic ciu nIUx
ieGting liquors. to secure provision in the new
Constitution. recognizing the Legitimacy Of their
business, and providing fer specific guarantees
of their claimed rights, which are denied by the
present Constitution aud exiAting laws.
To put yau on your guard IN this matter, so
that you may knew the best course Ia pursue
when tue time conses % eho0se your delegates,
is the object of this circular.
Il will be remembered that q CONVENTION Of
l"Manufactu5ers and Dealers In Spirituous aud
Malt Liqusrs" was held in the City Of Cinein-
natl, on the Goth of February, 1872, when reso-
lu,ions were adapted, and permanent urgani-
,tnn effected, for the purpose uf bringing every
Influence to bear in order to obtain repeal or
modification ni the present liquor laws. Lengthy
petitions were accordingly present. To the Cen
sral Assembly, aud the shrewdest arts resor,ed
to, 70 influence the action Of the members in
their favsr; but majority of cur legislators
faithful to the trust reposed in them, have thus
far refused to acceds to their demands.
The first effort having resulted in signal
failure, u second convention Of Liquor Dealers
was hsd at Columbus, OIL tho 18th Of February
last, and q movement inaugurated tu secure a
recognition Of their claimed rights, in the new
Constitution, by throwing their combined inhr-
enee an favor Of delegates favorable 10 their
interests.
II is kuswn to every Intelligent observer, and
toe sadly demonstrated in the history Of onI
Cauu,ry, that the use Of Intoxicating quors /,
prsjudicial 10 ih. best interests Of society; that
Il ndsrmines every principle Of virtue and
honor, in the average mass Of mankind, and
produces an alarming proportion Of every
species Of vice. pauperism and crime that II
thus entails incalculable expense to the State
aud untold misery and sorrow 10 vast number
in every community.
In view Of this startling reality, Self-preser'
Vntioa which is paramount to every other con
sid.ration. would justify enmPlsta suppression
VI the traffic by constitutional restrictions. The
friends OF temperance thraughAu the State are
disposed to regard the manufscturc and sale q
Intoxicating drinks as a ciins, aud for them t.
give their support to any man who would favo
this interest wonld be contrary to THAR convie
linns Of right. II the demands sfthoss sngagsC
in the liquor traffic were acceded to, II wsult
DO detrimental TO the interests Of the entire com
munity. Men only Of strict integrity, disinter'
ested motives and uuques,inned ability should
therefore, receive the support Of those whn hav'
at heart the future peace and welfare Of ouE
State.
In order 10 secure this, il becomes the ddty n
all patriotic citizens to inquire into the char
J Acter and qualifications Of every candidate ; 4
cast their Influence in favor If those who appre
ciats the high responsibilities imposed ups,
delegates to the Constitutional Convention; anC
10 withhold their support from every ons who il
. base enough TO ruckle IN the interests Of dan
geruus class, whs have manifested a disposition
to resort tn every dishonprable means 10 secur
a Constitutional recognition Of their nciariou
: business
BY order Of the Executive Committee Of tn
0his Temperance Legion.
T.. T.. RoGERs, A. BERRY. n. n. s.
=. J. MORaIs. WH. f. HArHLwAr.
: N q. DsSSVTT, E. G.. DALrOS, NJ. d.
CALEB CLARK,
Special Committee
F. J. NORRIS, Pres'.
y. c. DESSErT, Sec'y.
, Cincinnati, March, 1873.