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work of reform. Hut the experienco of a Half cen
tury has demonstrated tho litter incompetenev of
moral suasion, unassisted by law, to stop the desola
tions of the Liquor Traffic and stay the ravages of
intemperance. The vender of ardent spnits, Heent
ed, protectf<t and honored in bis wor* of eoiruption
by the civil power, nniltiplios victims faster than
they can Ik- reclaimed by the most laborious and un
tiring e ff>rU of the pious and philanthropic. The
eyyoting out counteracting injiutrxc of the Liquor
Tift file renders tho. teork of moral Motion more dis
rouritging and hopelett than the toil of Sisyphus.—
Destroy this influence by adding legal to moral sua
sion, niid, by three united, the friends of suffering bit
inanity must and w ill conquer. Inspired with fresh
courage, and kindling with jjigh and holy hopes, they
will rally anew to the contest, nor cease the glorious
warfare until, by the blessing of God, they “sweep
the spoiler from the earth I”
It is contended further that Prohibition is an “in
vasion of individual rights.” If this were true, it
would constitute no valid objection against the legal
suppression of the Liquor Traffic, provided the pub
lic good required it It is a well settled principle of
government that individual rights—even the inalien
able rights of life and liberty—must be sacrificed
wben-ver the public good demands their surrender.
Put then we deny that Prohibition invades any right
whatever that God or nature has bestowed upon
man. The divine nr revealed law expressly forbids
the Traffic : “Wo unto him that giveth his neighbor
drink, that poltcst thy bottlo to him and makes!
him drunken also.” It would be akin to blasphemy
to say that God, w hoso “wrath is revealed from Hea
ven agnmst a’l ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men,” has ever given or sanctioned the right to make
drunkards! Nature joins with revelation to con
demn the Traffic. From Justinian to Hlackstonn it
has been held tiiut natural law requires that men
“should live honestly, should hurt nobody, and
should render to everv one his duo. It follows,
therefore, that nature doc. not give, nor sanction the
right to pursue a trade which is hurtful to individu
als and injurious to society. Away, thou, with the
nji it diet prohibition is an invasion of the natural
and inherent rights of men! The liquor seller has
I; i rights, but such as nowise and unjust legislation
lihs co! f. ried. Let these he revoked by the compe
tent authority, and henceforth the vender of ardent
spirits will stand forth an abhorred offender against
the laws of God, nature, and society 1
Others, again, urge that Prohibition is “impraeti
hle.” This objection has been raised against every
great enterorisc that has blessed the world. We af
tinn that whatever can he shown to be necessary
and right is practicable. A prohibitory law,like oth
er laws, liiirnan and divine, would doubtless be fre
quently violated, nt least for a short time after its
enactment, and in many eases its penalties might be
evaded; but these facts would constitute no valid
argument against the usefulness and excellence ol
such a law any more than they do now against tin
statutes forbidding murder, tbutY, and arson. Hut
the efficiency of Prohibition has been demonstrated.
The experiment is not an untried one. The statis
tics of the tow ns and counties of the several States
w hich have adopted prohibitory laws show conclu
sively the beneficial effects of such legislation. The
diminution of drunkenness, crime, and pauperism,
has been so manifest in every case, that the liquor
interest, aided by demagogues, has never been able
to secure the repeal of a single prohibitory law that
has once gone into operation. Maine prohibited the
Traffic in 1850 and ’fil. The last Legislature of this
State has sustained the policy with almost entire
unanimity in the Senate, and by a vote of 00 to 29
in thu House. The Legislature of Massachusetts has
strengthened the prohibitory law which bad been en
acted in that State by the decisive vote of 268 to 42.
Huston, the scat of the rum interest and stronghold
of the rum power, gave a majority for Prohibition!
I litis, tin “facts and figures,” as well as reason and
argument, show the folly of the self-styled political
Solomons, who declare the Prohibition of the Liquor
1 raffic an impracticable something, and its promised
blessings the dav dream of insane fanatics and vis
ionary i ntlmsinsts.
Having presented fairly and fully, and as wc think
satisfactorily nut, tin* principal objections that have
been advanced in this State against the prohibition
of the Liquor Traffic, we fearlessly submit our cause,
fellow -citizens, to yo r decision. Sooner or later, we
.au 1 confident of triumph. In our opinion tin: grog
shop* are doomed. It is only a question of time.—
Truth is mighty and w ill prevail. The friends of
Prohibition, it is true, in Georgia, have unwonted
difficulties to meet, many and serious obstacles to
vanquish. But we may not, on this account, retire
mini the contest. In the language of one of the iar
liist Apostles of civil and religious freedom : “If truth
he in the field, wc do injuriously to misdoubt her
strength.” Let her and falsehood grapple; who
ever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open
encounter? For who knows not that truth is strong
ii"\t to Minightv? She needs no policies, nor strat
agems, nor I’cenaings to make her victorious; those
are the shills and defences that error used against
her power. Give her but room, and do not bind her
“hen she sleeps. Only tuk-* cure, fellow-citizens,
that she be not lulled into slumber, and shorn ofher
stnnplh by the cunning Delilah of party, whoa*
lii: vli ig pi. s, and stilish leaders would fain post
rom-the day of your triumph by persuading you
tii.it tin time for action has not yet arrived. We can
n-thiii” hv irresolution and ina> tlon. besides i
w havi no election. A< men, sis citizen*, as voters, i
esanot, if wi> ivimlil, deUv to act, so long ns we
i ‘ “unK. the obligations of duty. We cannot, if we
. 1 1 throw off the responsibility w hich rests upon
O’ ,t> s people, Hud s individuals in connection with
>’ is i.r< it movement. “Wer. the government,” as
1 *’ J l '-! < iro.urs u, “n d.apetihin,'* we should
“ ,r ‘••• 1 S mi,. f ., r silimc.- with grog
''’ ‘ ‘ ’ '->t •< out magistrates arc our
l ’ < ‘ ■'• r,sp.„ K H.. (W
. ‘ > ‘°i’ • 1,1 fsntin is hg.
rbbed or murdered by the’
„.,.c <u sp iU~t ,c rice t mnl f,., p 0 Überts t 0 VimJ |
t u-a.c tis in the- treasury, and u thr pri of
‘ Kvirv “ r “ r ""f from w etched widow-*
h•* ad helpless orphanage; every - vmg gr „ of
‘ K **’ ’“•• 1 “d' ir, led 1 unkaid; every ;, milv , lur
‘Ww iansi md vertumed ; every 'Uin I this moral
which has me k*d society with apot. more
* indelible and contagious than ever polluted the house I
of Israel: the sum total, in short, of the untold and i
indescribable miseries of the Traffic, arc authorized
and tauctiemeel hy hue.” For the continuance of this
state of things we, the people, arc responsible. VVe
owe it to ourselves and to our fellow men, to our
country ami to God, to labor unceasingly for the vc
poal of the license laws, and the suppression ol the
Traffic. Wo cannot ignore the question of Prohibi
tion. It is demanded as a duty’—it is claimed as a
right. Transcending infinitely in importance all oth
er political questions of tho day, its claims cannot be
overlooked nor its pretensions set aside. Wc are
compelled, fellow-citizens, in the approaching elec
tions to take sides for or against Prohibition. Every
voter will practically condemn or sustain the Liquor 1
Traffic. Every citizen by the ballot which he easts 1
will help to foster or destroy the most gigantic evil
of the times—the most direful curse that has ever 1
blighted the fortunes of humanity, darkened the
prospects of earth, or peopled with lost souls the re
gions of despair. The responsibility will be as fear
ful as the decision will be momentous. Ponder well,
fellow-citizens, your votes, and listen not to the sy
ren stings of demagogues who would have you stifle
your convictions of right and turn a deaf ear to the
voice of conscience. Think for yourselves—act fur
yourselves. Throw off the trammels of party influ
ence; spurn the dictation of party leaders, ami be
American Freemen, who “know their rights, and will
dare maintain them”—who understand their duties,
and will dare discharge them !
Philanthropist! Patriots! Christians! The ban
ner of Prohibition has been unfurled, and its pure
and spotless folds arc floating in the breeze from the
mountains to the seaboard. If you would share in
the honors and blessings of the coming triumph, we
bid you rally at once to the strife. What though the
battle rages and the fight is desperate? What though
the opposing host taunt and jeer and scoff? Be he
roes in the strife! Strike like tnen who arc battling
Ur their “wives and children,” God, and their native
■and! Stand or fall at your posts! God and angels
will tight upon your side! Stand firmly ■by your
flag! “One shall chase a thousand, and two shall
put ton thousand to flight!” The blessings of those
that are ready to perish shall come upon you, and
the voices of the ransomed shall make glad music
amid your banners! Georgia, our own Georgia, re
deemed, through your labors, from the bondage of
Intemperance, will revere your example arid cherish
and bless your memories!
Respectfully, Ac.,
Lpthf.r M. Smith, j gs fG. M. Nolan,
W. 11. Felton, Is |J. H. Seals,
G. B. Hayoood, V§.■{J. S. Peterson,
E. L. Newton, | |J. T. Montgomery,
B. M. Clarke, J > (G. W. Gakmasy.
sQfttfccX£iute©us
AN UNFADING BSAKT.
An old tuan walked near a time-worn church, hav- 1
ing gone thither to visit the grave of one long depart- ;
ed. He had been weeping; and as he turned his
eyes heavenward, tears glistened therein. He wore
in a button hole a faded ribbon, which ever and anon
he looked upon, then again lifted his face to the skies,
muttered some soft words of love, and continued
weeping.
Some children, standing by, derided the old man, 1
saying, “Father, give us thy ribbon ; it is old and ‘
can be of no worth to thee.” Hut tho old man clasp
cd the ribbon in his hands, and thought sadly of one
he loved, who died while her bridal garments still
adorned her.
They had loved long and truly, and had married
in the full vigor of their youth. Hut as they were !
returning from church they chanced to meet a rusli
of people, who were being driven before the soldiery
in one of those erneutes for which France is so note- ‘
rious. The married pair were riding in a car, when
the report of musketry was heard, the bridegroom
became excited, and stretching out of the window,
he marked the tumult for a moment, then turned to
calm the feats of his wife. Alas! the quiet of death
was already upon her—a bulk t bad entered her
young heart; and there she leaned, as before she sat
—a sweet smile upon her face, her lips still warm,
hut dead!
On that unhappy morning, the old man took a
ribbon from her breast, and over—night and day he
bad worn it close to bis heart. Sixty years had pass
ed since then, but lie l.ad never sought another love.
Hut gazing upon the ribbon ho saw her beloved ever ,
by bis side. And when the children derided him, ,
lie meekly replied—“l be heart, my dear children, is
not like a ribbon. No! no! believe me, the heart
never grows old.”
AFFLICTION—WIIIT IT TKACHES.
How last we learn in the day of sorrow! It is as
ii affliction awoke our powers, and lent them new
quickness of perception. We advance more in knowl
edge of Scripture in a single day, than in years be
fore; we learn “songs in a night;” though such mu
sic was unknown. A deeper experience has taken
us down into the depths of Scripture and shown u.’
its hidden wondtts. Luther use-1 to say: “Win* if
uot for tribulation l should not understand Scrip
ture.” And every sorrowing saint responds to this,
as having felt it; as did David, when he said, “Bless
ed is the man whom thou chasteneth, and loaches
out ot l'hy Law ; it is good for me that I have been
afflicted, that I might loarn Thy statutes.” IVhat
teaching, what training of the mind goes upon a siek
bed, or under tho pressure of grief! And, O, what
gn u and wondrous things will even some little trial
whisper in the ear of a soul that is “learning of th.
Father!” *
, ,ÜBome c **‘* this profit is almost unfelt, at least
uri-rg the continuance 0 f the process. We tlunk
wc are learning nothing. Sorrow overwhelms u*-
Disaster stuns, \\\ become confused, nervous agi
U and or. pc. haps, it.set.sibi.. \V 0 t 0 derive ~.*
■irui.t. Yit.,-.- long, u. begin to fee! u.e bless,.t
rerun. Muriir ty of judgment, patience in listening
: l ° lhl ’ v, "°° “f'< ’J, ake ner appetite for his word, a
l quicker discernment of its meaning; ti.esc are soon
i".l!Z.*d as the gracious results of cha-tisetnent. The
nun-t l<a undergone a most thorough die ipline, and’
bus mors,,.. , on rou , proge> , in thc
vm-* truth, t rough the teaching of
1 the Hoi. Q, BV-Arn r. 8 j
THE TEMPERANCE BANNER.
Cjif Ccmpfnuirc Banner.
PENFIELD, GEORGIA.
Saturday Morniug, June 30. 1855.
FOIt VOVEK.MHt,
B. H. OVERBY,
OF KCLTON.
THE ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.
We leave out much matter prepared for this week,
in order to give to our readers the address of the
Committee appointed by the State Temperance Con
vention, and the address of the President of that.
Convention.
The address of the Committee is an able produe
duction, and we hope that its length will not prevent
any man from reading it You have read patiently
long letters from many of our distinguished politi
cians, against or in favor of the Know Nothings,
and wo would ask, at your hands, a patient, careful,
and thoughtful reading of this address. It discuss
es in a calm, logical, and conclusive manner, the
great question which is now agitating the public
mind. R *ad it, voters of Georgia, file your objec
tions, and send them to us, and we will answer
them. Tiie address is unanswerable!
The address of the President of the Convention,
which is published in this paper, is also an admira
ble production. Let every Temperance man in the
State meet in Marietta on the 2d Wednesday in July.
Let every county lc represented in this Convention.
Let there be a gathering together of the people
from the sea board to the mountains, to consult to
gether for the good of the cause. It will be seen,
by a reference to the letter of Renj. Rrantly, Esq.,
chairman of the Committee, that an address will be j
delivered by’ W. 11. Felton, a gentleman well known }
in Georgia. It is highly important that there should
be a full representation in this Convention. Let
every organization, from Washingtonian Societies
up, li,- represented in this body. If the friends of
humanity will exert themselves, the results of this
meeting will tell for the cause we advocate.
M ill the Press aid the good cause, by publishing j
either or both of the addresses in this paper, and by j
giving publicity to the meeting, to be held in Ma- >
rietta, on the second Wednesday in July? *
WANTED AT THIS OFFICE,
One respectable argument against prohibition;
one solitary objection that does not bear absurdity
and nonsense on its very face; one good and useful
citizen ( demagogues , liquor-tellers, and rum-sucker*
are not placed in this class) who will uphold the
present license system; one pious, useful minister of
the gospel (Billy Mosely excepted) who does not feel
it his duty* to aid, by all legitimate means, in carry
ing on the great cause we advocate; one prominent
politician that will decide in favor of prohibition, as
long as he smells the loaves and fishes on the other
side; one well-conducted paper or reputable editor,
that will dare attempt to answer the Address of the
Committee; one intelligent physician who will deny
that alcohol is a poison; one habitual drunkard, that
is a gentleman, and whose wife and children are not
sufferers by his dissipated habits; one retailer of li
quor who does not sell it to negroes and boys against
the known wishes of owners and parents, who is not
a nuisance in the place where he lives, and the
meanest man in the community; one true hearted
wife of a sot, that does not pray night and day for
the passage of a prohibitory law; one man who has
ever been made a better citizen, a better Christian, a
better parent, or a better master, by the retail traffic
one independent voter that is not taxed to support
drunkards, criminals, orphans, loafers and paupers,
that were reduced to these conditions by alcohol;
one barral of liquor that has not caused hogsheads
of tears and blood, and helped to nourish into life
the most destructive and deplorable vices, that riot |
rampant in society, destroying human happiness,
disgracing manhood, dishonoring God, and damning
the immortal soul; and in conclusion, we Kant every
voter t-i think seriously of the awfully solemn re
sponsibilities resting upon him. and act accordingly.
*
OUR MEASURES NOT GOOD.
Seldom a day passes in which we are not “bored”
with the gabble, “Your cause is a goo-1 one, but 1
don’t like some of vour measures.” \Ve regret that
any of our measures should displease any one; for
we desire the sympathy of all. Hut that same ob
jection has followed the temperance movement
through its whole career. When at an early day,
the demand for abstinence was limited to distilled
liquors, then we bean! this same objection. “Your
cause is a good one,” hut you are going too far.—
You should insist upon the moderate use of Gin,
Brandy, Hum, Sec. And subsequently, when that
remedy proved to be of no avail, and the use of fer
mented, as well as distilled liquors, was resti icted by
the total abstinence pledge, the people then hooted
at it, sod looked upon it as much in violation of their
rights, as some people do now upon a Prohibitory
Law. They then cried out “your cause is a good j
or.e, but we object to your measures.” Every len- i
lent and agreeable experiment has been faithfully
tried in attempting to accomplish a Temperance Ref
ormation, but all have proved futile. The first
remedy was to allow the use of spirits in a mod
erate degree. Confidence was placed in the effi-i
eiency ot this remedy, finm the fact that all were
united in pronouncing the use of it immoral, and de
structive in its effects, but it was soon found that
admitting the moderate use, as an ant- cedent, in
creased the liability to gross intemperance; and they
soon saw that the* number of drunkards was not at
diiniu shed. A restriction was then placed upon
i-.e i .si of distilled liquors, but admitting nt the sac e
tom- the use of fermented.
It was soon found that all the evils which bad
been attributed to distilled liquors, flowed in til
same proportion from fermented. Then the “tote!
abstinence pledge” was established; the people looked
1 u P OI ‘ > l hold measure, but it fought its wav,
| and accompli shed griat good; tint ere long its pow
j ors °f reformation became exhausted, the good men
; and zealous heroes in the cause began to mourn ovir
1 Aheir prospects, t'.e flood of ituempetanco was net
j yet dyked, but continued to force its polluting
streams into their moral, social, and political ranks.
But those untiring patriots having “enlisted for the
war” were not to be conquered; they then began to
examine the License Laws, and it was found that
they utterly failed to accomplish the object for which
they were instituted. They deterred no man from
engaging in the traffic, and it was contended that
they raised it into unmerited respectability.
Upon these laws, discussion and experimental legis
lation took plnco, which threw a brilliant light into
the minds of the people. They were also found to
he suggestive; the thought occurred to the minds of
many that if the laws could protect they could restrict;
and upon examination they found such laws in exis
tence, and actually iu force, and against much smaller
evils than that of intemperance. Such was the law
against the sale of tainted meats; the quarantine
laws, Ac. The law was then their only hopo, and
the}’ began to look upon it as the only sovereign
power whereby they could be protected from this
implacable, demon.
We see then, that every step which lias been ta
ken from the first movement of the Reform, down
to the present, when we are knocking at the door of
the Legislature for a Prohibitory Law, has been the
suggestion of instructed experience, and every step
has been accompanied with that time-worn and non
sensical objection, “Your measures are not good.”
The people should then no longer listen to such
idle declamation, which is but a subterfuge-for those
pretended friends of the movement who “hold to
the Hare and run with the Hounds.” We feel as
though we had had fallen upon the only correct
remedy, and posterity will rise up and say, not only
was your cause a good one, but your measures were
good also.
OVERBY NOT COMING DOWN.
There is a very erroneous and unfounded report
being circulated through some portions of the coun
try, that Mr. Overby intends withdrawing bis name
as a candidate. The report is utterly false. No
such idea has ever entered his head. We have the
following expression from bis own mouth : “There
is but one party under Heaven that can get me
down, and that is the Prohibition party.” No
doubt many would willingly circulate, and have
those who hear, believe the report, but we arc happy
to say, Mr. Overby is of tho kind that never “takes
water,” (speaking after the manner of men.)
HON. B. H. OVERBY IN WASHINGTON.
This gentleman addressed the citizens of Wash
ington county recently, at the Methodist church.
The house could not contain the crowd. The speak
er presented his subject in a truly argumentative
and eloquent manner. That the judgment of all, or
nearly all of his audience was convinced we have
but little doubt. How those convictions will be car
ried out in October we know not. But of one thing
we are certain; if the question could come up un
trammeled by party manceuvcring, the principles
and platform of the Prohibition candidate would be
sustained by an overwhelming vote. — Georgian &
Press.
PUBLIC DINNER.
We are authorized to state that there will be a
public dinner at the Smith Academy, in the neigh
borhood of Atkinson’s church, in this county, on
the 12th of July, at which place and time, one or
both of the Editors of this paper, will speak on the
subject of Prohibition. The public exercises of the
Academy also take place at the same time.
A liberal invitation is extended to every one, and
particularly to the. Ladies.
ANNIVERSARY.
Ours is a great town for clubs, orders, societies,
and all kinds of organizations. We were at the an
niversary of the Erosophic Society, on last Saturday
evening, and heard a very appropriate address from
Mr. Scott. The brevity of his speech might teach
long winded orators a good lesson. Speaking of the
anniversaries reminds us of a request made by one
of the members, that wc should announce the anni
versary celebration of the “Lazy Club.” An ad
dress will be delivered by a distinguished member
of that order, on the “economy of laziness.” We
must express our regret, that so many of our distin
guished and influential citizens belong to this club,
inasmuch as their example has a bad effect on the
rising generation.
ATTENTIOnTyOUNG AMERICA !
AV e would recommend all self-satisfied sporters of
sky-blue kids and twaddling twirlcrs of small ratans,
who are suffering from a precocious, epidermic irrita
tion of pinfeatliercd upper lips, to the article of Miss
Jenny Bruce, in this paper. “Aly stars!” re Aa? licks!
Miss Jenny must have “been to College.” We shall
be glad to hear from her frequently. *
A NEW NOVEL BV A GEORGIAN.
We would direct attention to the Prospectus, in
this paper, of a novel, Henry Vernon, or The
Dream, published under the supervision of James
M. Sniythc, of Augusta. A gentleman who has
read the manuscript speaks of it very favorably.
———■*-*-
TALES FOR TIIE TIMES, BY A QUONDAM EDITOR.
The Prospectus of this work will be found in this
paper. The name of Jos. S. Baker, as ageut, will
recommend them to many.
PERIODICALS, MAGAZINES, Sic.
We acknowledge the reception of the fallowing
works: Godey's Lady's Book, for .July; Sixth An
nual announcement of the Female Medical College,
of Pennsylvania; Arthur's Home Magazine; The
London Quarterly Rtcieso; and Westminster Re
rieir. We have also received “ The Missing ride,”
by Mrs. Sonthworth, from T. B. Peterson. W
have not had tim.* to read it, but presume that anv
of Mrs. Southw--rtti’s Stories would be very reads
bie.
We have received a Catalogue of the For-ytii Fe
male Collegiate Institute, located in Forsyth, Ga. I.
has :m efficient Board of Instruction, arid the tota’
number of pupiis is 147.
SQUASH.
Our Iriend and fellow-citizen. Mr. A. B. Sharp,!
.sh >wed *o us a f-*w a s sin ■•, a sq ia-h wh en hi
re sod in h s garden, measuring 39 inches round the
body. Wt. ca 1 t .at ‘tome squash.”
For the Banner.
A D D li e s s
TO XIIJK VOTERS OF GEORGIA,
BV TJIK
PRESIDENT OF THE STATE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
The friends of Temperance in Georgia will hold
their annual Convention in Marietta, on the 2d
Wednesday in July. It is an important meeting,
and claims tho strongest representation, both of tal
ents and numbers from every organization in the
State; and invites every individual favorable to the
advancement ol the great moral principles, (hat are
everywhere achieving such wonderful results. Tin
friends of Temperance should take a high and com
manding position; the general sentiment of the peo
ple warrants it, and the necessities of the country
demand it. Whatever may have been the timid mis
givings of friends, and the ravings of enemies, when
stringent measures were proposed, the fact has been
conceded well nigh everywhere, that prohibition is
the only certain mode of eradicating intemperance
from the country. Four years ago, when this issue
was made in Maine, it was considered not only wild
and fanatical, but even ruinous. Demagogues and
liquor dealers contested every inch of its progress
and invoked the broad shield of the Constitution, to
hide them from the blazing eye of truth, and pro
tect them from the retribution of an injured people.
But defeat, signal and ruinous, awaited them at every
point.
The checks and balances of the Constitution were
so wisely constructed by its projectors, that tho most
liberal policy in trade and commerce is fostered, and
the most enlarged exercise of personal rights and
liberty sanctioned and guaranteed; yet, ail these are
guarded with the strictest jealousy, and conflicting
interests are respected and held equally sacred. No
class in the practice of morals, exercise of religion,
or the pursuit of commerce, can interfere, with im
munity, with the rights, or encroach upon the peace
of the community without their sanction. The re
tail system is a direct infringement upon the peace
and interest of every community in which it is prac
ticed, and ought to be abolished.
The issue as to the constitutionality of proper pro
hibitory laws has lost its terror, and instead of the
pioneers being defeated, their opposers have been
overwhelmed, and the principle of equal rights has
been vindicated, that no privileged class or licensed
few, can entail upon the people poverty, misery, and
death, against their will. Nine States have since
wheeled into line, and a purifying leaven has been
diffused through every State in the Union. The
passage and enforcement of such laws now, are gen
erally acquiesced in, except in a few places, where
a large amount of vice and crime exist. The better
class who align themselves with the traffic, are
either controlled by an appetite they cannot resist,
or an infatuation they are loth to surrender. Deal
ers are governed by interests, but their apologists
are so strangely demented upon this question, that
they will neither admit the light of reason or the
demands of justice.
The organizations in Georgia have done much to
elevate and advance the cause, and yet there seems
but little enthusiasm. The great h ading fiature of
effectually and permanently releasing the State from
the traffic in liquor, and all its circumstances and
results, has been an absorbing idea in the minds of a
large majority of the people for a long time; and
has been seldom expressed, except when some new
outrage has been committed, or when courts and
juries arc spending well-nigh all their time in inves
tigating cases civil and criminal, the direct effect of
liquor; then every court, and every jury, unani
mously and spontaneously manifests its unquali
fied reprobation of the present policy of the State..
1 believe that well nigh every case on the crimi
nal side of the court can be traced to its origin in
liquor; and that much of litigation on the civil side
can be accounted for, from carelessness and inatten
tion to business, superinduced by intemperance.
Such fail to meet their engagements, or comply with
their contracts. Public attention lias been attracted
and fastened upon these facts, and many who have
neither taste nor time to engage in any organization,
are ready to give their support to a policy that will
extirpate this root of bitterness from the land.—
While 1 believe no policy we can adopt will injure
the cause materially, yet we may institute that which
will vastly benefit it; the affections and interests of
the people are intimately connected with it.
Whatever necessity there may be to guard well
our peculiar institutions, and watch with strictest
scrutiny our federal interests, and however we may
differ and contend as to national policy, yet at home
there are no new issues or exciting questions at
stake. All here is quiet. Not a ripple stirs upon
the broad bosom of our noble State. Her internal
machinery moves on with such ease and precision,
that political aspirants, who are always on the vetge
of an extraordinary crisis, can find nothing to hang
their wonderful patriotism upon, unless forsooth, the
five loaves and two miserable small fishes that ac
company an office, loom up in magnificent propor
tions before their anxious gaze. Harmony should
prevail. Aside from the exciting topics of the gen
eral government, our noble State, in the vastness of
her resources, ami the amplitude of her power, can
regulate her own internal policy according to the
d'ctxites of her people.
We invite, therefore, to this meeting in Marietta,
Temperance men of all organizations, and those who
belong to none—all parts and parcels of political
pat ties of every grade of feeling and sentiment tforo
the violent prohibitionist, to the mild and persuasive.
We want your counsel, your influence and your
energy. We want the people to understand and ap
preciate their rignts. We want them to carry with
them that moral learning and resistless influence,
that w ill drive these dens of temp-ation and ir*quity
fiom the face of the community, to skulk ar-1 fcser
in the darkness of their own degeneracy. Aye, we
want the light of truth to stream unon them there,
until their most abandoned advocates shall le puri
fied, and none be found to defend their pretensions.
Protect, by la*, the rights of the father, the mother
and the children, and you strike a chord that w ill
stir the fi cs: and holiest feelings of our nature, and
will \ib ate in harmony w ith the music of the ski-s.
This is a crusade in which all are interestid. He
that can see w ithout em- tion or interest his fell* w-
June