Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-28
Fruif-GrOuers' Association.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,
February "A, 1886.


Ata meeting of the Monticello Grape
and Fruit Growers Association held
this date, composed of a membership Of
ninety substantial taxpayers repre-
sentiDg the fruit interest, which in the
county of Albemarle alone embraces
present taxable values exceeding $780,
600, the earnest demand was to give
expression to their views on local-op-
ton laws. The following resolutions
were passed unanimously after some
debate upon the second clause
Whereas we find that the Advocates
Of temperance in the State Of Virginia
are strenuOusly bent on inaugurlting
coercive total abstinence so far as they
can. which is wholly foreign to the ira.
ditiOnal policy Of the State in the past,
and which we feel to be in antlgonisn
with personal liberty, the good Of the
State, and the uSages of civilized Gov
ernments Of the world : therefore be it
Rcsolred, /, That we deny the just
right as well as the expediency Of the
government to pass any law tending to
regulate the quantity and quality of
food, drink, or raiment that the citizen
shall consume or wear, and this alleged
power should not be delegated to any
part Of its citizens.
.. That the doctrine of the absolute
rights of majorities to ignore any and
all rights Of minorities is a monstrous
fallacy recognized by no sound theory
Of government, nor practced by any
save Communists that it is subversive
of all government, and results in the
worst form of despotism.
3. That the effect Of the success of
temperance, as now sought for, is to
confscate property and annihilate recog-
nized industries which we deem for the
public good and upon which many of
US depend for subsistence.
4. That in the liberal use Of pure
wines we perceive the most effective
remedy for gross intemperance, as at
tested by observers of results in all
countries where thus used; and we be-
lieve that, insofar as our labor pro-
notes this. we are aiding practical
temperance more effectively than any
legislation that has for its object en-
forced total abstinence.
5. That we adopt the following Ian
guage, used by that eminent and pure
statesman, lIoratio Seymour, in 1854,
when, as Governor Of the State of New |
York, he vetoed stringent prohibitory |
bill then passed by the Legislature, as |
the true and practical OBJ
jections to such meaSures-yiz.:
1.-The Constitution makes it my duty
to point out the Objectionable features
Of this bill, but | owe it to the subject
and the friends of the measure to
add the expression of my belief
that intemperance cannot be extirpated
by prohibitory laws. They are not
consistent with sound principles of
legislation. Like degrees to regulate
religious creedS or forms OF worship,
they provoke resistance when they are
designed to enforce obedience. The
effort to suppress intemperance by un-
usual and arbitrary measures proves
that the Legislature is attempting to do
that which is not within its pro-
vince to enact or its power to enforce.
This is the error which lies at the foun-
1ation Of this bill, which distorts its
details and makes it the cause OF angry
Should it become law
t would render its advocates odious as
supporters Of unjust and arbitrary
Its evils would only cease
upon its repeal or when it became a
lead letter on the statute-book. Judi
,ious legislation may correct abuses in
he manufacture, sale, or use Of intoxi-
,ating liquors, but it can do no more.
All experience shows that tempe
'ance, like other virtues, is not pro-
luced by lawmakers, but by the infu-
nee Of education, morality, and reli-
,ion."
I. That these resolutions be publish
d in the Je6ersonian, the Charlottes-
lille Chronicle, the Monticello Farmer
md Grape Grocer, and some news
aper in the city Of Richmond.
Ii. E. MAGRUDER,
Vice-President.
A true copy.
Oscar ReisrsOn, Secretary.