Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

136 DANGER IN THE DARK.
"It would be an unwarrantable interference with
the rights of freemen: never will it do to legislatIJ
upon the subject, in a republican government like ours."
" Have we not had legislation upon the subject ~"
" Well, of course, we have certain laws in most, if
not all the States, regulating the traffic."
"Then you must admit, that legislative bodies
maintain the right to legislate on the subject."
"But that, you see, is qu'fte another thing."
" Why, if they have the right to legislate at all
with regard to the traffic, and to grant license to sell
the pernicious beverage, unquestionably they have the
right to make a law prohibiting the vending and
manufacture of the article."
"The American people, Mr. Carleton, prize liberty
too highly ever to submit to anything of that sort."
" Does true liberty know no restraint ~ Does
rational freedom give loose rein to the passions of
men, and the diabolical propensities of the wicked and
reckless ~ With such liberty, there would soon be an
end to liberty I The very worst form of despotism,
would be infinitely preferable to a liberty that would
unchain the tiger, and let go the lion and hyena!
There are human-monsters, more to be feared than
savage beasts 1 Such reprobates turned loose upon
society, with their lawless passions unchecked, what
would become of the peace, order and harmony of
society 1 Where would virtue and religion find
safety 1 and to whom would the weak and defenseless
go for shelter and protection 1"