The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-11-02

should Give the Measure my sanction and
anpporl. II thought n we're possible ~ No.
ooinpliah the object Nv that manner, have
givon tho matter sofne thought, and ]
have come 10 the conclusion that there are
insurmOuntable obstacles IN the way. In
Tho first place, II you prohibit the sale Of
Intoxicating liquors In one county the Arti-
Gle will be obtained from the adjoining
one; II the state abolishes the
traffic in. ardent spirits impQr.
n%eighboring states will be resorted 20. II the
congress OF the United States should pro,
hibit the manufacture and sale, importa-
tons from foreign countries would Hlke
place. If congress should pass q law, for.
bidding the importation, It woul1/involye
the government in q war with Dationalities
where treaties have been forR1ed.
Opium is as injurious to the mental and
physical well beng of mankind as intoXi'
eating drink. A short period past the use
of opium by the Chinese became 50 eXten,
sive and injurious that the emperor issued
an edict, ordering the ports OF China closed
against Naturalization of opium for sale,
That act of the emperor the English gov
eminent declared to be a declaration OF war
against England, because her people were
extensively engaged in the manufacture
Hand expectation of the same to China Tor
sale, and the queen sent her many men
there and responded to the emperori
proclamation with the noise Of heS cannon.
The legality of the act considerable
discussion in this country. John q. Adams
in an exhaustive speech delivered in Ire
mont temple, Bostol,. justified England
Mr.. Adams said that IL would not do tC
violate the law of nations to suppress an
evil, however great.
Before the evil of in%temperance can be
suppressed by legislative enactments, nat
ural laws must be repealed. AS long as the
soil produces fruit and grain, ardent spirit:
will be m2nufac sured and used as o beve
rage. To declare it to be q crime to manu-
facture and drink wine in moderator
would, in effect, accuse Christ and the
Holy Apostles OF sinful practice. The first
miracle of our own blessed Saviour was the
manufacture of wine out of water. 1t was
performed at the request of his mother, al
the wedding of her niece and his cousin.
The object of the miracle was to furnish
a stimulant to the brain, to prolong the
mirth and Joy of the wedding party. W.
must presume, therefore, that Christ ant
his disciples made use Of wine as a bey
erage.
1t was at the celebration of the Passover
an occurrence similar to our Dist of April
Passover, that our Saviour took the wine
up from the festive board and ~inaugurated
lie holy communion.
am a sincere Christian. | believe that
the precepts and examples as taught and
practiced by Christ and his Apostles to
b. the bedrock of democracy. No
whore in the New Testament can we
learn that any agency save moral suasion
was invoked to make people religious or
moral.
do not object to total abstinence. | be-
lieye that total abstinence is the only way
by which some incorporate drinkers can
be saved. l know it from my W personal
experience. When n persons appetite for
stimulating beverage becomes uncontrola-
BILE, he should touch not, handle not" If
| cannot ind alge in the use OF the same in
moderation, it is my misfortune. To I'M
dertake to prescribe rules of conduct for
others more fortunate by legislative enact
ments is species of legislation that will not
be tolerated in a free land.
Moral suasion is the only legitimate
weapon that ministers OF the Gospel can
make use of to win men from vice OF every
description.
Garlands of grace and beauty are more
effectual in winning men from the vice OF IN
temperance than sumptuary laws,
With these observations l will give you my
opinion what l consider would be proper
legislation with reference to q day OF rest.
Ii would be proper for the Legislature to de-
clare it apenal oflense for any person to
disturb religious worship on Sunday or
any other day; that no person, bond or Tree
should be compelled to perform any labor
on Sunday except to enforce the criminal
laws of the state. Such a law would protect
the rights of all and work injury to none.