Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-08-14
The Liquor Traffic abandoned
in Augusta

IN Saturday last,-being the day on which
the mayors sixty day proclamation expired
the several liquor dealers in Augusta. great
and small, including hotel-keepers. apotbeca-
ries, and all others who had TO any extent pre-
vIously participated in its sale, uofuntarify
dbandonedkhe traffic; and now, on this seventh
day of August, in the year of grace 1851, not
glass of intoxicating liquor is sold, or can be
obtained, for love or money, or for any pur-
pose, whatever, in the city of Augusta So,
at all events, we are informed, and verify be-
lieve
Here is an example of obedience to law
Vi more prattical value than a thousand windy
Essays from politician or iurst on the duty of
ooeo'ehce TO law'-an example too, of volln-
.us ooeu'ence on the part of men, many of
mno"i' ho oouot, regard the law before which
'ney nave 50 gracefully bowed, as oppressive
and uIJ"I = no' gross Infringement of their
inoi'iuuai rignis and liberties! Yet so deenlv
implanted in the heart of this corD uG.Py
that good old New England sen,;msn, &c 70
spect for the law of the land thai ry;,hau.
prosecutions or the fear of prosecui;ons -
without the Intervention of bum-bailiffs or the
fear of them, these men engaged in a traffic
that connects itself with an appetite which has
found means of qualification from the DAYS of
Noah to the dawn of the Christian era. and
from that day to this, voluntarily and peacea-
bly, step forward in a body, and forswear all
further allegiance 10 King Alcohol, assent
ing and conserving TO total reinforcement Of
the old monarch, who has ruled over them and
us so long and so absolutely.
We say total dethronenent-fo there has
been no a6dicdtion of the despot in favor of any
OF his hateful and hate progeny. He is clean
gone-'no heir of his succeeding He has
not been smoked out of one hole here, only
to seed and find securer shelter in another
He has not been thrust down by the citizens
only to be exalted by the corporation. Both
citizens and corporation unite in his expulsion
| from the limits of the city. No legalized traf-
hcer In the dark beverage anywhere within
the broad limits of our city, manipulates the
foddy-sfick by authority or enjoys the monop-
oily OF dispensing 'in quantities to suit pur-
chasers' liquid poison to fuddle, craze or de-
stroy people, according TO the statute in such
case made and provided
When the Legislature, to whom the credit
Is due OF passing the enactment under which
this signal reform has been effected, shall re-
assemble here next winter, they will be per-
United 10 witness with their own ewes and
senses the glorious effects of that enactment
In vacant bars, and in the absence, in hotel and
grocery, of that unmistakable odor which tells
OF the presence of what is fit drink alone
for demons.
Next IN Importance to the stoppage of the
traffic itself is the gratifying circumstance that
1t has been attended with no destruction of the
property OF our citizens; nor brought about by
the forcible agency of legal prosecutions, en-
rendering strife and i'll blood between neigh
oors' but peaceably, and through the ready ac-
uHIpScTncn n Iaaln thnr,snI,,u.
Is In degree attributable to the iudicous and
conclllatory course taken and pursued BY our
mayor, In giving time TO the dealers to rid
themselves of their stocks on hand, supported
in that course as he has been BY the good
sense and intelligence of the community at
large.
The sentiment of this city, so far as we
know it, is to try teetotalism for while at
least, and see how we can get along with it.
If 1t works well for one year, we can then
continue it ad intautum.-Age.