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It is with p'-ciili ic pleasure that we
it v before our rentiers the history ofli*
juor legislation in Virginia. It is from
the peit of A. II Sands, Esq-, of this
city, and exliihits a familiarity with the
subject discussed, and suen t.tcilitj of
expression* in the statement of facts,
that it must comment! itsell to every
reader. It needs no comment; it tells
itaown story, and does it so well, that one
oannot help regretting that it had not
been done before. In a subs|ijerit
issue this review will be continued and
completed, bringing this historical no
tice down to the present time. It will be
an interesting anil valuable (locum nt,
and one which was very much needed.
Could we not get a similar paper from
every IStaie of ihe confederacy?— l.ru.
The Liqour Legislation of Virginia
Statutes are rarely, if ever, dead
letters. Generally they curry with
them a tremendous power. Even
where they are not carried into execu
tion, because, the whole current of pub
lic opinion is against them, they are
not without effect. livery enactment
disregarded weakens the grusp of the
governmental authority, and thus con
tributs to anarchy und its attendant
ills. How important, then, that proper
statutes be enacted anil rigidly execu
ted. It would not be going too fur to
nay that, in u government like ours,
preeminently u government bused upon
well defined public opinion, expressing
itself in written enactments, legislation i
is as the life-blood of the Stale, and upon j
its purity or impurity will depei.d the
good or ill, the weal or woe of the com
munity.
Scanned with these |>riiac:i|>l>'s in the
mind, how will the statutes of the sev
eral States of tho Union beam ligid exa
mination into their merits or defects?
which of our Legislatures is guiltless
of fostering imi|uity and crime'’ and
which of them has universally accor
ded its protection to the innocent and
the just ?
YVe do not propose to arraign the en
tire legislation of the Slates ill all the,
particulars in which it has oll’ended
against nutuiul right and equity. This
more properly pertains to the province
of tlio liistorian. We shall coniine
our observations to statutes uliectirig the
sile ami consumption of alcoholic
drinks, and the legislation of Virginia
in relation to this subject commencing
with the period ol the colony. Tins
legislation forms a curious chapter in
our history us a colony and Stale.
In the year lO'dff, the governor of the
then colony, the famous Sir Francis
YVyat*, found it necessary to issue a
proclamation against swearing and
drunkenness. This was done in obe
dience to instructions drawn up by the
king, and at the first session of the Bur.
geaaes thereafter, this proclamation was
confirmed. Thus early had the crime
of intoxication crept into u social sy
tern, and hud uttuined such maturity
as to demand legal enactment fin its
suppression. IJnlin tunuloly, this pro
clamutum has not been preserved. It
may have combined many of the feu.
lures of the Maine Law. It it did its
ill success would not argue against the
pdicy oflliat law, for the source whence
it originated -sufficiently accounts for
failure. The inlumous James hud hut
a year or two before this enactment
endeavored to wrest from the colonists
charter of freedom, and, failing in this,
all his measures, whether of wise or
unwise policy, would naturally meet
with opposition. Accordingly, we find
that tins blow was not fatal. Fight
years afterwards it was enacted that
“all and every person, or persons, w hich
shall be drunk, and of the same offence
of drunkenes, shall he law fully convio
ted, for every such offence forfeit and
loose five shillings of lawful money of
England, to be puyd to the hands of
the Church wardens of that parish
where the offence shall be continued.”
Whether this stutute was prompted by
a desire to correct the evil, or to in
crease ilia revenue of the Church, up.
pears doubtful. In either event the
evil was net suppressed. It grew with
our grow th, and strengthened w ith our
strength; and, in 1 (157, anoth
er law was hurled lit this iniquity w itn
m batch or other offences against public
decency. The terms of tins law are
very vigorous. They are us follows:
“That all good meanes lie used in
the several countie courts and parishes
respectively for the suppressing of the
odious sinners efdrunkemiesso, blasphe
mous swearing ami curseing, &c.;
and that all such person and
persons, of what degree or qualities'),
ever, be severely punished, and goner 1
•lly lo be lirld incapable of being a
witness between partie and panic, and
of bearing any publique office in the
government of this collony: lie that
shall be l iree times convicted in open
court of either of the said offence* shall
be accounted u common drunkard,
swearer, Aic.; the first offence ofdrun.
kenness to be fiOlbs. of tobacco; the
first offence of swearing to be 1“ lh*.
of tobacco; the second offence theise
niulkts and punishments to be doubled.”
This too failed of iis avowed purpose.
Men’s appetites and passions, when in
full play, and with the continued rx
ample before them of indulgence in al
coholic liquors on the put of legislators
and cleigy, were too storng to be
checked by paper bulletins. The re
form had commenced nt the wrong
point. Frst elevate tin* standard ol
public iiio'hls, tin'll enact restrictive
measures on vice; or, if the aid of law
ISt-Proliibit the entrance
elsewhere. F Hun *, tj'obe
‘• il'*'♦?!,n( (VI ! u *(
OIIfAN JE THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE AND STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.
never IO have OCCU red to our forefatll
i-rs, and if it had the result would doubt
less have heeo the same, because they
had not yet learned the wholesome
truth, that to correct the? depravity of
others we most lir>t 001 rect our own.
While passing these stringent enact
menus sguinst drunkenness, the palace
of the Governor und the houses of the
win itllhv cili/.-iis were amplv stored
wiili wines and alcoholic drinks. A
law passed about this time will per
linus shed some light upon tl/e vulner
ability ofthe ministi) in this partcular.
It was enacted, “that who* >ever should
disparage a minister without bringing
sulticeul proofs to justify his rep >rts,
whereby the minds of his parishoners
may lie alienated from him, and his
ministry prove le-s effectual by their
prejudication, shall not only pay S'JO
lbs. weight of tobacco, but also ask the
minister so w ronged forgiveness pub
holy in the congregation.” Doubtless,
a chief cause of this disparagement was
tumid in the fiee living ami luxurious
habits of the clergy.
In I(i4'2 Church wardens wore re
quireil to make oath that they would
deliver a true presentment in writing
jof any person or persons of what de
gree or cuudiiioii soever who should
I uhuse themselves with the “loathsome
i simie of drunkeniiessej” but it seems
iliey were not very punctilious in ma
king such presentments, for in the year
lti-15 it was enacted that any Church
warden failing to make such present
ment should himself hit mulcted with a
fine to be imposed by tin; commission
ers, and to ensure a proper discharge
of this duly on their part, they, too, in
case of neglect, were to be find by
by the Governor and Council.
The next law we find on the statute
book, is an act prohibiting the importa
tion ol unnecessary
the “low prices ol tobacco w ill hardly
supply the ingoing aim pressing ne
cessities of tier country,” reciting, a-
lining these unnecessary commodities,
“strong drinks of what sort soever.”
I'll is step, successfully carried cut,
would have given an t ttectual quietus
tn ttie liquor trnlfic, alti r tha. quantity
which was tin n in the country had
been cxliaus'c I, and to do this but a
very little tune was necessary, Indians
; and all others being then in the habitu
al use of intoxicating drinks. At that
early day, retail stores were plentiful
ly provided with alcoholic liquors, and
about their doors enacted scenes simi
lar to those which they now exhibit.
For “the preventing ot many disorders
and riotes in ordinaries and other plu- !
cos where drinke is retailed,” it was en
acted that “noe person or persons what
soever shall in their houses retayle
any drinke hut such as shall obtcinc aj
license from the commissioners of the j
county, giving bonds,” Atc. flow in- 1
i ll'ctual tins law proved m promoting
Us avowed object, is evident from the j
ltd that drunkenness s:i 1 1 pressed sore
upon the people, and gradually grew
strong m i:s attacks upon tile higher
classes, insomuch that, sixteen years
afterwards, the famous period of’Bacon’s !
rebellion, it was found necessary to en- j
join severe penalties on justices of the J
peace who should become “notoriously i
scandalous on court dayes at the court
house, and so farm overt'ken in drink j
as to he unable to discharge official du
ties.” ( Far parenthese, how would j
aonio of our magistrates at the present
period relish such a law?) and yet
farther, ministers of the gospel who
‘‘notoriously scandalous by drunken
ness, or other hay nous ami crying sins,”
were, for the lirst offence, to forfeit u
half year’s salary, and it’ convicted
three limes, should he deemed incapa
ble of officiating.
Thus stood matters from the year
167(i till ltittl. During that period no j
oilier legislation oil the subject was j
deemed necessary.—ln the latter year, !
under the peaceful reign of William
and Mary, there was a re-digesting of
the laws “for the more effectual sup
pressing the several! sins and offences
of swat nig, cursing, drunkenness,” Am.
In iliis statute, drunkenness is declared
to be a “loatlis one and odious sin,”
“the root and foundation of many other
enormous, sins, as bloodshed, stubbing,
muriher. sweating, fornication, adulte
ry, ami such like, tj the great dishonor
of God and of this dominion, the over
throw of many good acts and mnnuall
trades, the itisahteing of divers work
men, and the generall impoverish.ng of
many of their majesties’ good subjects,”
and it was enacted, that one, if convic
ted ol this otfence, should forfeit ten,
shillings, uud if unable to pay, “should
lie committed to the slocks for every
off ■uce, there to be and lYinuiiie lor the
space of three full liouis.” In JOUti,
tills statute was in substance, re-enact
;ed but tile punishment lor un inability lo
pay the line, wus abated Irom “three”
110 “two lull liowers.” hi ItitK), throe,
veins afterwards, the Assembly, after
reciting “lint notwithstanding many
good uud wholesome laws had been al
ready made lor the uuuisliiuenl and res
training of vice, many wicked, bias,
phenols, dissolute and viiions doe still
continue their unpious and übotumuuie
practices, an 1 alter prohibiting sundry
of these crimes, re-enacts the law n
gaiust drunkenm s*, imposing fine of
five shillings for each oileuue, with this
important provision unm \ed : “T/uit
if tin offender or ■ fenders be iu>t aide la
pay the said sume or siimcs. bit a he, sh> e
<>r tin v shall have and receive h a lashes
iijion his. tier or theire hare bad;, w> II
laid an. for r. r. y such f ence.'’
It is not our province to defend the
• noliev of these laws, nor shall we do so.
,Vt ‘”** ‘ “* ‘ <"'n. olive of tile
evil, we think that there others who
should first have suffered them: the
men who wrung from the inebriate his
last sliver, disabled him from complying
with the stern requirements of the law,
and thus indirectly ns well as directly
contributed to liis bodily chastisement.
One would suppose, from the wording
of ibis law, that ttie practice of drink
ing alcohol to excess was not confined
to the sterner sex; that lovely Woman,
too, had yielded to the tempting cup,
and, unmindful of her high vocation,
hail brutalized herself and marred the
fair image of Heaven’s truth and beau
ty and, by tfie most disgusting sensual
ity and vice. For the honor of our
country, we ctuld wish to he able to re
but the inference by a positive denial;
but can we do so with a strict regard
to truth? Is it not wofully, lamenta
bly true that, down to a very late pe
riod, the sin of drunkenness might be
charge ion some of the female sex?—
Would to Heaven that we could even
now utterly disclaim it; hut we cannot.
It is true at this day that woman min
gles strong drink, and though tfie prac
tice lias considerably abated, this stain
is not entirely wiped out.
In 1705 the last cited statute was re
enacted, and still retained the “lashing”
feature, unabated as regards number,
and unrestricted as regards sex.
Up to tins point, our readers will ob
serve that bin one effort lias been put
forth for the remedying the evil ty ad
ministering a cure calculated to root
out the cause, and we imagine that few
w nl dis: eut from the opinion that at best
the policy pursued was temporizing
and inefficient. This, experience has
indisputably established. .So far from
checking, the granting of license by
the Stale and the requiring alee for the
privilege of sailing, absolutely enhan
ced the sale of liquors. The enactment
was a virtual sanction by the legisla
ture ofthe legality and propriety ofthe
traffic, and iiku at that day, as at this,
were not such nice casuists as to deter
mine the quality of the act by the quan
tity consumed. If they reasoned at
all, they would adopt the argument ur
ged by Faddy, who when taken to task
ijy Ids lord for drinking replied, that his
Lord drunk as much us he—the only
tliff'oienco being, lie drank his all at
once, and Ins master took it in bits.
The State went on prosing of moral
ity and viciou ■'lies, and the loathsome
and odious sin of drunkenness—con
detuning the inebriate to the stocks and
the whipping (last; all the while nour
ishing a class, whose sole business it
was to promote and extend just this very
sin, who, were there no drunkards or
chauc ‘ ol making drunkards, would,
have had nothing to do, and thisclass,
(shame, eternal shame to the mother of
states and statesmen!) yet remains.
Fncy have not unlearned their old hab
its, nor has drunkenness diminished
aught of its unreasonable, unhallowed
demands, it is yet the root and foun
dation ol bloodshed, stabbing, murder,
swearing, fornication and adultery; mid
we Venture lo predict that it will nev
er he annihilated by hurling anatli unas
upon the drunkard or visiting his crime
witii incarceration and stripes. Other
means are required, and these will, as
we hope, he provided in the contempla
ted legislation of the State.
For the Temperance Banner.
Believing this to be the auspicious
moment for the friends of man to make 1
one united, mighty struggle (O! that 1
could say Almighty eiFort) lor the des.
iruetion of the Devil’s strong hold, I
mean that giguniic ulcliohohc Temple
raised with the money and cemented
‘vuh the blood of millions of inebriates,
l send you an anecdote of that excellent
man and eloquent divine, the Rev. Ro
bert Hall, of the English Baptist;
Cnurcli.
“A well beneficed Clergyman of the
English Church, a gentleman Parson,
as he was called, was in the habit of!
frequently visiting the celebrated dis
senter, during his residence at Cam
bridge. As lie grew old, says Mr.
llall, his animal spirits flagged, and
liis stories become defective in variety;
lie therefore took brandy and water,;
weak enough, it is true at first; but
soon nearly half and halt. Erelong
he indulged the habit in the morning, I
and when he came to Cambridge, he;
would call upon me, and before he was;
with me five minutes, ask for a little
brandy and water—which was, of
course, to give him artificial spirits, to
rentier him agreeable in his visits to;
others. I felt great difficulty, for he, j
you know, wus much older than l was:
v et, being persuaded that the ruin of
liis character, il not Ids place, was in.
evitable, unless something was done.
I resolved upon one strong effort for his
rescue. <So the next time that he call
ed, and, as usual, said, Friend Hall,
I will thank you for a glass of brandy
and water; 1 replied, call things by
their right names, and you shall have
as uiucii as vou pe-aso. “\Y by. don t
1 employ the right name? I ask for a
glass ol bramly and w ater.” That is
the cm rent, bn not the appropriate
name. Ask for a glass of liquid fire
and distilled damnation, and you shall
nave a ullou. Poor man, lie turned
pule and Ifir a moment seemed strug
gling with linger; but knowing that I
did not mean to insult him, he stretched
on’ ins hand, anil said, ‘’Brother llall,
l ihank you fiom the bottom of my
heart. From that time he ceased to
take hrundv and •’ ater.
Liquid tire- distilled damnation!
who. awful words. O! ye Rev and ol i
sinners, w ho cui! U one of Goo’s “good
urea:.’ v- ” arc v .-u not usliauv'J thus
to pervert Hod’s holy word? I pray I
you thank God, from the “bottom of!
your hearts,” that you have not been’
cut down as cumberers of the ground;
and resolve that from henceforth, you
will cease to pollute your immortal
spirits with distilled damnation.
I see the Star ahead.
Gwinnett Cos., Feb. sth, 1853.
Columbus, Ga., .lan. 30, 1853.
Pro. Uranlly :—Having the cause of
temperance at heart, I hope that you
will pardon me for trespassing upon
yotn lime with these lines.
This is a beautiful Sabbath evening ;
the sun is just sinking behind the Wes
tern hills; the church-bell has just
censed tolling; the crowd has just
commenced passing to answer its sum
mons. This is all well • but hark!
what means that crowd of men and j
boys up Broad Street! that noise and
confusion! Listen, someone is pro
saning this beautiful Sabbath evening.
See that young man, he is reeling, he
can’t be drunk surely ! “Truth is stran
ger than fiction.” Yes, he is drunk !
a man in the prime of life, with all the
appearance of a gentlemen, when sober.
Look at him brandishing his cane ; see
that man retiring from the crowd ; but!
he follows him with threats; —now he
has gone back. I approached ; I learned
from the conversation, that these two’
men were intimate friends when sober;
but ah ! the demon bacchus had con-j
verted him into a raving maniac.
I am astonished why the city Council
do not take active measures to sup
press the retailing of ardent spirits up
on the Sabbath. Why not adopt simi
lar measures to those of the council of
Macon. It is notorious, shamefully in
deed, that such soul-destroying ma
chines, should be permitted to act to
the extent that they do in this city.—
Macon is right, she is awake to her in
terest ; high time, truly, that she should
arouse from her lethargy, and shake off’
or drive off the disturber of her peace,
(the retailer.) O, Columbus! Qeen
City of the South ! how long, how long,
will you continue to slumber? Mow
long before you will banish the evil
from your midst, or fetter him with
chain to hinder his ravages ! God hast
en the time.
I may write you again at some future
time.
Yours in L. P. & F.
F. A. BROOKS.
A few Questions and Answer.
Q. YVhy are present excise laws ob
jectionable ?
A. Because they have a wrong oh
ject; regulating instead of suppressing
tlie traffic; they give respectability to
the traffic, by licensing it, and thus fail
of suppressing intemperance.
Q. Why are they inefficient in sup
pressing the unlicensed traffic?
A. Because, in their execution, they
are mainly dependent upon witnesses
manufactured by the traffic.
Q. Wherein does the license law
differ from s prohibitory statute ?
A. The license law commissions a
few to sell, while it prohibits the mas
ses. A prohibitory statute forbids all
sale, as a beverage.
Q. YY’herein does a prohibitory law
ditler from the Maine law ?
A. The prohibitory law forbids a
man from selling, but not from keeping
spirituous liquor for sale, if lie chooses
to sell in defiance of law. Ti.e Maine
law forbids his keeping, and disables
him from selling in defiance of law.
Q. What are the two most marked
features of the Maine law ?
A. The right of search and the de
struction of liquor.
Q. Is the right of search peculiar to
this law ?
A. No. A gambling house may be
; searched; a counterfeiter’s den, a house
suspected of having obscene books, bal
lads, pictures, Ate., or any contraband
goods.
Q. Is the destruction of proprety pe
culiar to this law ?
A. No. The dies ofthe counterfeit
er, the implements ol the gambler, a
mad dog, implements of unlawful fish
ing, when seized, are destroyed. Liq
uors are destroyed, and distilleries too,
1 by the law of Congress, in the Indian
country.
Q. Can the same property both re
ceive protection and demand destruc
tion ?
A. Yes. Medical plates in a physi
cian’s library would be protected, but
would be destroyed if placed in a shop
window. Card and billiard tables may
be protected in a private family, but
would be destroyed when used in a
gambling establishment. So liquor
inav be protected when sold for medi
cal, mechanical, or sacramental purpo.
ses, but destroyed when offered for
sale, as a beverage.
Q. YY’hat claim lias the sale of in
toxicating liquor as a beverage, to pro.
teciion from society.
A. None; because it is of little use,
and is of vast injury to the community.
Q. Is it the right and the duty ot the
people to protect themselves from evil,
by legislation /
A. Y es; this is a great end of civil
government, and if the govt mine it lails
lo do its duty, it is responsible for tin*
consequences. —American Temp. Jour.
A young lady ol “sweet sixteen, ’
with blue eyes and dark brown hair,
advertises, iu the Louisville (’mrer,
tor a husband. S it* p aks French
ami plavs the piano. A young man
who is handsome anil agreeable, is all
she wants. Money is no obi ct, ex ah
desires to lives on love aito ‘etle-r.
XfllS -BAJM-SiR.
PGHFIIILD, I Ivß. 19, 1 Bftß.
NOTICE- —S u hsc ri be rs n • cei vi n g
their papers with a straight black mark,
are thereby notified that they are in ar
rears. One mark indicates one dollar
due; two marks, two dollars, three
marks, three dollars, &c. Phase re
mit the amount at once.
Now is the time!
To encourage our Agents and friends,
in renewed and increased exertions to ex
tend the circulation of the Banner, and to
collect past dues, we offer the following
VALUABLE PREMIUMS;
Any Agent forwarding Fifty Dollars, for
New Subscribers, or collections for past
dues, shall be entitled to the Queens of
t Kngland; a large and elegant Gift Book,
with magnificent steel engravings ofthe
English Queens, with Lives. By
Agnes Strickland. Generally acknowl
edged the most elegant Gift Book yet
produced in this country. Price <slo 00
j Forty Dollars, as above, Webster’s Diction
ary, quarto, substantially bound in
Russia Calf; or the Book of the Heart,
embellished with elegant steel engra
vings; or The Homes of American Au
thors, the most natural and truly beauti
ful Gift Book of the Season. Either
worth, §8 00
Thirty Dollars, as above, The Sons of
Temperance Offering—beautifully illus
trated, and an appropriate Gift Book for
a Son of Temperance—worth $3; Lucy
Books, $2 for a sett of 6; and other Ju
veniles, worth sl, $6 00
Twenty-five Dollars, as abov*—Gems of
Beauty, with very fine plates; or The j
Gem of the Season, fully equal to its
competitors for popular favor. Either of
which is worth, Sj>s 00 ;
Twenty Dollars, for new Subscribers or I
collections of past dues, Records of Wo
men, by Mrs. Heinans, with numerous’
fine engravings. Gilt Cloth. §>4 00 i
TenDollors, as above, —Juveniles in elutii ‘
and more elegant bindings, from 25 cents j
upwards, :82 00
The above amounts to be forwarded to
us free of Postage. The Premiums will
be forwarded to Agents by Mai), free of
Postage.
Jrgf* Should agents prefer the Money to
Books, the amounts may be retained from
moneys collected.
Our friends who have not received
a Prospectus of the Banner for 1853, and
who are disposed to aid in its circulation,
can procure a Prospectus by application.
of the Temperance cause in
Georgia: let the Banner have a circulation |
of Ten Thousand copies, before the close ■
of 1853. The crisis in our noble reform ‘
demands it. Our principles, objects and j
aims should be fully and fairly presented to
our fellow-citizens. What say you?
laugislutiou.
The Legislatures of all States which have j
regard to the temporal welfare of the pen- j
pie, have exerted their powers for the sup- i
pression of vice, and immorality. It liasj
never been denied that it is right for Govern 1
tnent thus to act. It has, on the other hand, j
been universally allowed and maintained
that this is one ofthe great ends for which
“Governments are instituted among men.”
Indeed failure to accomplish this object is
always considered evidence either of weak
ness, or corruption. The decay of States,
and revolutions in the organic institutions
of nations, are more commonly owing to
this cause than to any other. While those !
Commonwealths have been most prosper-;
oils and most permanent vv l.icli, by a care
ful over-sight, and wise preventive discip
line, have maintained a wholesome condi- \
tion of public morality. Our own Legisla
ture has recognized the duty, and by many
enactments has endeavored to fulfil its ob
ligations. Hence penal statutes have for
bidden almost every variety of crime. Of
fences against public and private rights are
forbidden and punished; health, virtue, and
decency are sought to be protected, by de
nouncing punishment against the offender.
In all cases, the desire of the public authori
ties is not to inflict pain, hut to prevent the
offence. That this desire is prompted by
wisdom as well as benevolence, there is no
doubt. The prevention of the evil is the
great object to lie accomplished. All men
are gratified when our courts have no crim
inal business to transact; for it is evidence
that offences have not been committed.—
Prevention, in all cases, is better than cure.
These principles are never denied, and
their application never opposed, except
when they are brought to bear upon the
evils of dram-drinking, and the great moral
curse ofthe retail-shop. The law prohibits
bathing in a place exposed to view, that the
eye of modesty may not be pained, and
i public decency outraged; but the moment
we attempt to prevent the indecent, obscene
and profane acts which from the retail-shop
compel the observation of all, a hue and cry
is raised, the name of Libeity is invoked,
and the blood of the Revolution called to
protest against the violation of the rights
ofthe people. That this is all stuff, is evi-
dent to every reflecting mind. If drunken
ness be a great evil in the body politic, it
ought to be prevented, and that is wise and
good legislation which does prevent it.
True, the problem, how best to succeed,
is difficult of solution, but must of the dis
; Acuity arises from the constant! llort* of po
litical demagogues to make party capital out
ut the question. \Y here there is no room
furappcal to the low pas ions in regard to
a liquor law, it is just as easy to pass a law |
restraining tile retail tr.'dc, as a law punish
ing the crime of n urder. As evidence of
this, we may point to our own law forbid
ding the retailer to ssdl ardent spirits to col
, on-ii people. Here tin* retail r is denied
, the exercise of hi- right lo traffic and the
mere presence of a negro in his premises at
; in unseasonable hour, is sufficient to ex
■ jin e the proprietor ot the shi p to the pen
alties provided hy law But here the dog
gery keeper can nut make capital by crying
out prosecution ; for the negroes can’t vote
and the wuile people can’t be humbugged
except by touching their own appetites.—
The celebrated “Intercourse Law” of 1802,
authorized the President of the U. S. “to
take such measures from time to time, as to
him may appear expedient, to prevent or
restrain the vending or distributing of spir
ituous liquors among all or any ofthe In
dian tribes,” within the borders of our
| country. And no man ever said Nay. If
the law which we propose is unsound, our
country stands convicted by this statute of
fanaticism ami tyranny , the most cruel and
rampant because exerted over dependents
! who look to us for protection and are at
our mercy. But these laws are wise and
I cannot be overthrown except where politi
cal fanaticism or party rancor can be excited
against them.
Opponents of nil change in tlie
license lawn.
Who may be expected to oppose all tho
attempts of tlie benevolent to produce a
reformation in regard to the liquor
traffic? At the present time this
question is not devoid of interest. It may
be useful to an swer it. For if we can know
who arc our antagonists, and especially if
we can understand the reason of their op
position, we may be prepared to encounter
them successfully.
First then, we must expect to be op
posed by all those whose profit is identi
fied with the sale ofthe article. From tho
wholesale dealer who brings his liquor into
the State by the pipe or barrel to the filth
iest groggery keeper—(the word is a good
one,) at any of our cross-roads we must
expect earnest, persevering opposition.—
This is natural. So cried out the Ephesi
ans of old when their craft was in danger.
Men will not relinquish w ithout a struggle,
violent and fierce, the hope of their gains.
This class of our opponents is not very
large—but it is powerful. They will use
freely their money, their time, and all the
infliO'uce which they can command, against
any movement which involves the destruc
tion of their gains.
2. We must expect opposition from many
of those who are addicted to the use of in
toxicutingdriuks. We say many of those
thus addicted, because we believe that there
are not a tew even of this unfortunate class,
who desire to reform. Whilst the tempta
tion is kept before them they seem to have
no power to resist it. Hence, they would
rejoice in any legal provision which would
removetlie temptation, or at any rate,
render it more difficult to gratify the crav
ings of a depraved appetite. But there are
multitudes, we are aware, who are the
slaves of appetite and who would be sternly
opposed to any measure which would in
any way conflict with their indulgence.—
From this class very decided opposition
must he expected. ‘They will talk loudly
of their rights as freemen. They have a
right to drink as much as they please, what
/hey please, and when they please. They
have a right lo get drunk and even to kill
themselves by intemperance. Lashed on
as is this class by appetite, they will fight
with a zeal whorthy ofa bettercause against
all attempts to place beyond their reach the
object of their warmest affections.
3. The reformation will be opposed by a
ciass of petty demagogues, who depend for
their promotion more upon the influence of
dram-shops than tile support of the intelli
gent aid ihe virtuous. Tuis class will he
very boisterous in defending the- rights of
the “dear people” and will endeavor to prove
that any restriction laid upon a pernicious
indulgence is but incipient tyranny and
should he resisted accordingly. Aware that
they have no merit on which to stand, this
class will seek to conciliate ttiose who sup
port candidates who are in favor of their in
dulgences.
4. Those presses which syrapnt'izie with
the demagogue will, of course, be against
us. Receiving no sm ill amount of patron
age both in the form of subscriptions&. ad
vertisements from tin* dealers in inlox ca'ing
li 1 lors, they will feel themselves pledged
j to look to the interests of this class of cus
tomers, and plant themselves very sternly
] against any measure which will supersede
that species of advertising, and in other
ways diminish the number of their patrons.
Such are some of our opponents. YVe
are prepared to meet them. The struggle
j wifi come. It eannot be post-poned much
longer. It will then be seen whether the
citizens of Georgia will tolerate a traffic
whose fruit is evil and that continually.
The Grand Jury of Richmond
County.
At the present session of the Superior
Court of Richmond county, the Grand Jury
for the first sveeli, recommended to the Leg
islature such a reformation in our present
license system as will allow each district in
the State, to decide w hether ardent spirits
shall be sold within its limits as a common
beverage. To such a recommendation wo
can see no reasonable objection. Surely it
is the privilege of freeman to agree upon
those laws by which they shall choose to be
governed. It there be in the community a
“■•use in operation which produces
crim •, pauperism, suffering in a thou
sand forms, together with increased taxa
tion, surely it is the privilege of the people
to have that cause removed. The recom
mendation ot (lie Augusta Jury to other
Grand Juries in the fcsiate to concur with
tle io in bringing this m liter to the attention
ot the Legislature will, we trust, be prompt
ly complied with. We hope that a Grand
Jury call be lound in every county
tilate prepared to express its dissatisfaction
with tin present iniquitous system which
prevails, and determined to leave no eifirt
uniri and by which a reformation may be hoped
b'r. Wla rcvi r tin re is one friend of suf