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Editorial
January 8, 1831
Republican Herald
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
An editorial critiques the licensing system for grog shops, arguing it may increase unlicensed operations and that moral influences are more effective than legal restraints for temperance. It praises the quoted view as insightful and urges town representatives to protect constituents' rights and interests.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
'The only advantage of the system of Licence is the revenue, and perhaps some little improvement in the manner, or the prevention of a worse manner of keeping or conducting their shops.
'The assailing of the system of licencing grog shops, appears to me of doubtful tendency. Reduce the number licensed, and I fear you increase the number unlicensed, in about an equal proportion, and of a worse character. And it may be doubted, if an attempt by law to break into the fixed habits of individuals, and to coerce them to habits of temperance or virtue, [mark this] will have the desired effect.
'Present the fragile barriers of the Law--to intemperance, and you but add an additional zest to the artificial and diseased taste which craves ardent spirit. The little which has been effected by legal restraints, and the much by moral influences, should confine the philanthropist to that field where his exertions have been crowned with signal success. Our statute book have always contained laws punishing excesses in the use of ardent spirit, and not the least advantage has been reaped from them.''
This extract, to my mind, shows a man of a correct knowledge of human nature, and it is a great pity there were not hosts of such to combat the wild and superstitious schemes of the present day.
The representatives from this town, must be the representatives of the rights and interests of the whole body of their constituents, and if they do their duty the result need not be feared.
'The assailing of the system of licencing grog shops, appears to me of doubtful tendency. Reduce the number licensed, and I fear you increase the number unlicensed, in about an equal proportion, and of a worse character. And it may be doubted, if an attempt by law to break into the fixed habits of individuals, and to coerce them to habits of temperance or virtue, [mark this] will have the desired effect.
'Present the fragile barriers of the Law--to intemperance, and you but add an additional zest to the artificial and diseased taste which craves ardent spirit. The little which has been effected by legal restraints, and the much by moral influences, should confine the philanthropist to that field where his exertions have been crowned with signal success. Our statute book have always contained laws punishing excesses in the use of ardent spirit, and not the least advantage has been reaped from them.''
This extract, to my mind, shows a man of a correct knowledge of human nature, and it is a great pity there were not hosts of such to combat the wild and superstitious schemes of the present day.
The representatives from this town, must be the representatives of the rights and interests of the whole body of their constituents, and if they do their duty the result need not be feared.
What sub-type of article is it?
Temperance
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Grog Shops
Licensing System
Temperance
Moral Influences
Legal Restraints
Intemperance
Ardent Spirit
What entities or persons were involved?
Representatives From This Town
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Grog Shop Licensing And Advocacy For Moral Influences
Stance / Tone
Opposed To Strict Legal Licensing, Supportive Of Moral Suasion
Key Figures
Representatives From This Town
Key Arguments
Licensing Provides Revenue But May Increase Unlicensed Shops Of Worse Character
Legal Coercion Of Habits Unlikely To Succeed
Legal Barriers Add Zest To Intemperance
Moral Influences More Effective Than Legal Restraints
Existing Laws Against Alcohol Excess Ineffective
Need More Insightful Voices Against Wild Schemes
Representatives Must Protect All Constituents' Rights