wickedness. That instead of complying with their prejudices,
and flattering their appetites, they should exert that authority with
which they are intrusted in a steady and resolute opposition to
predominant vices; and without having recourse to gentle arts, and
temporizing expedients, snatch out of their hands at once those
instruments which are only of use for criminal purposes, and take from
their mouths that draught with which, however delicious it may seem,
they poison at once themselves and their posterity.

The only argument which can be offered in defence of this bill, is the
necessity of supporting the expenses of the war, and the difficulty of
raising money by any other method. The necessity of the war, my lords,
I am not about to call in question, nor is it very consistent with my
character to examine the method in which it has been carried on; but
this I can boldly assert, that however just, however necessary,
however prudently prosecuted, and however successfully concluded, it
can produce no advantages equivalent to the national sobriety and
industry, and am certain that no publick advantage ought to be
purchased at the expense of publick virtue.

But, my lords, I hope we are not yet reduced to the unhappy choice
either of corrupting our people, or submitting to our enemies; nor do
I doubt but that supplies may be obtained by methods less pernicious
to the publick, and that funds sufficient for the present occasion may
be established without a legal establishment of drunkenness.

I hope, my lords, we shall not suffer our endeavours to be baffled by
the obstinacy of drunkards; and that we shall not desist from
endeavouring the recovery of the nation from this hateful vice,
because our first attempt has failed, since it failed only by the
negligence or the cowardice of those whose duty required them to
promote the execution of a just law.

Against the bill now before us I have thought it my duty to declare,
as it appears to me opposite to every principle of virtue, and every
just purpose of government; and therefore, though I have engrossed so
much of your time in speaking on a subject with which it cannot
reasonably be expected that I should be well acquainted, I hope I
shall easily be pardoned by your lordships, since I have no private
views either of interest or resentment to promote, and have spoken
only what my conscience dictates, and my duty requires.

Lord TALBOT then rose up, and spoke to the fo