370 GRAPE CULTURE AND 



But I deny that you have a right to punish the innocent with 

 the guilty ; a right to control the free and sober citizens of 

 this republic from the enjoyment of a pure healthy glass of 

 wine, beneficial to them, and necessary to their well being, 

 because some of their neighbors get drunk on bad whisky, 

 and even on wine. Where would be our boasted liberties, if 

 one man was punished for the crime of another ? Can I be 

 held responsible for my neighbor's actions, and should I be 

 punished because he makes a beast of himself? Out on such 

 narrow mindedness, which can bear neither the test of com- 

 mon justice and fairness, nor of our constitution. Every pro- 

 hibitory measure is an infringement of justice as well, as of 

 'the supreme law of the land. 



I wish to see every man or woman a free agent, subject 

 only, if he or she infringes the laws, which ought to be and 

 are, based on fairness and right, to be punished according to 

 these laws. And let me tell those, who wish to shackle us by 

 binding them according to their narrow prejudices, that if 

 they desire really to see this a sober and prosperous nation, 

 they can sooner gain their object by making this nation a 

 wine drinking community, then by all the cast iron measures 

 they may invent to compel an abstinence, which will only 

 lead to greater excess. Teach the nation the proper use of 

 light wines, instead of raving against their abuse, and you will 

 do more for the cause of true temperance, in five years, than 

 you can do by prohibitory laws in a century. 



