The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-04

The EFFEcrs OF FANArIcIsM IN BOsroN.-F
| seems thar the experiment which has been made
in tle ~ of Boston to abolish drunkenness from
society and to 10 &C people by special legislation
| to be teetotaers, has not succeeded very we'll !;
| for we perceive that the newly elected Mayor
suggests the propriety Of going back point or
two, and readopting the old plan of granting
licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors in small
quantities.
The newly elected Mayor says, the law pro-
hibting the sale Of liquors, was enforced with
severity. ability, and energy, by his predecessor,
aided by an ficlent police, and backed by large
aud influential portion of the public; but notwlth-
standing that great many prosecutions have been
Instituted, and great many fines imposed, the
traffic has not been suppressed; dram shops have
increased in number, temperance has not been
promoted, and riot and RIGHTEOUSNESS have null
tphed alarming degree; and, to crown all,
the new Mayor says, it would indeed seem as if
the saturnala of Bacchus took date from the vote
which was meant to overthrow his affairs and con-
found his votaries.
When the subject of the propriety of legisating
against the use of intoxicating drinks was pro-
posed IN this community, we denounced it, on the
ground that it would in the very nature ofthlngs,
have effect contrary to that which II was sup
posed would be the result. Mankind cannot be
leglslated from being immoral to being moral
from being incorporate to being temperate-from
being vicious to being virtuoHs- no more than an
ignorant man can be converted into learned
and well educated one, by an ordinance Of
the Legislature. Neither will men be forced
TO change their course OF life at the command or
dire cton of others, who, because they may have
been elected to the legislature, imagine that they
are by virtue of their seats, clothed with new
responsibility, and new power to change and
alter the passions and propensities of nature,
by the magic influence of bill or an ordinance.
If man Is In the habit OF INDUCING temperatey
In ardent Spirits or any thing else, why should he
be debarred that indulgence! He Is free agent,
and can act as he please, provided his acts do not
conflict with the welfare and rights of the country
Of which he forms part. But the fanatics say
"No! We think that wine, in any quantity, Is
injurious to you, and we prohibit you from drink
ing it % "You may pass all the laws you please
on the SUBJECT" replies the other, but I will
drink as much as please Notwithstanding. It you
shut up the shops where liquor is sold, I'll drink
at home" This has been tine effect IN Boston,
and it will be the same in every other place where
the experiment IuhV DC IlcQ EuuCdttou uuu GA
ample are the remedies for immortality of every
description. The possession Of well ordered and
cultivated mind, VIII, except in rare instances,
sufficiently counteract the lower propensities of
our nature.
This same mistaken view of legislating upon
morality, prevails in other places as we'll as In
Boston. The other day, one Of the New England
legislatures passed law for the protection OF chas
| tity. What folly! We would like to be Informed
of the manner In which chastity could be protect
ed. Can an unchaste woman be made chaste by
an act of the Legislature Z Women OF chastity re-
quire no protection but that which Providence
has throw around them. One look from high
minded cbaste woman, will Danish from her pre-
sence the greatest lbertlne.
We hope the people of Boston have gained some.
thing from their experience in this matter. They
ought to bear In mind that Legislation OF this kind
smacks a good deal of persecution; and they
should forget that If the Pilgrim fathers pos
sessed traits worthy of our admiration, they had
others too which 1t would not be judlcious to im-
ate in this enlightened day.
The British IN INDA.-From the accounts of
preparations that are being made in England, for
| Il IL