Polynesian., 1851-11-22

their mere ALTERATION, of the most dangerous
tendency.
1t is, indeed much TO be lamenied that the good
cause Of what is called the temperance refor.
nation" should be so much prejudced by the
rniculnus vagares of lis votaries. James Cor
,lon Bennett of the New York Herald may be
fairly pliied. against Mr.. Hartley and the New
York Organ as an authority ary matter con-
nected with the political economy, or the stability
of the institutions, ,'of the United States Ifnot M
sructive it is at least highly amusing TO contrast
with the above what he writes, in the Herald of
The lst Of August last, OH the temperance move
ment in The state of Maine. IL is as follows -
The TEMPERANCE QUESTION IN MAINE-FuN-
NY YLEGISLATIeN.-Tbere has been, for some time
past, great fermentation, buhbling, gureling
and fizzling among the people of Maine, IN con-
sequence OF The passage Of u very stringent law
by the Legislature Of that State, concerning the
sale of spiriiuous and fermenled liquors. Even
beer and porter are not exempt; and the officers
Of the law are authorized to enter a citizens
dwelling or place of business, and seize those
drinks, and those of more fiery character.
seizure Of this kind was male recently in Port
land, which excited, as might have been expect.
ed, the Indignation of such of the people as have
not given way to the temperance fanatIcisn OF
the day.
We heard an anec,lote recently, which illus-
trates the views which we have ever entertain-
ell concerning such Legislation as this. Soon
after the breaking out of the French revolution,
which made Louis Philippe wanderer on the
face of the earth, an intelligent gentleman was
asked what he thought Of the French people,
and their repeate, efforts to attain republic
He answered by saying, that few years prevl-
ously, there lived in his town n Frencbnan, who
having neither trade nor profession, determined
to make an honest living in some way. Being
very partial TO mulgatawny and mock turtle
soup, when properly made, he directed bis at
tention to the compounding of those dishes, in
The hope that when his. reputation as cook IN
that particular line was established, he would do
we'll 10y following the making Of it as business
He succeeded beyond his most sanguine fxpecia-
rions every one patronized nj. Crapo's soup,
and grateful were his 'constItuenis" for inlrO-
ducins it among them, that they were about 10
send him 10 Congress. On reflection, however,
they decided not to do so, Tor they feared that
while he would he attending to his legislative
duties al Washington, they would he deprived
of their great soup, or have TO submit TO some OF
an Indifferent character. NJ. Grape consequent
ly received leave TO stny nj home, and continue
cooking for the benefit and pleasure OF the gour-
mands, instead of going to the great cook-shop
in Washington, where the people are as often
roasted on grilirons, as soft-sheled crabs are in
the New York restaurants. While Nj. Crapo
was engaged one fine day in contemplating fne
calls head which he had just got from the butch
ers, and calculating The quantity of "mock" that
he could make from il, huge Newfoundland
dog entered his cuisine and carried IL off. Crapo
was thunder-struck. He ran after the animal in
a terrible state of agony and excitement, bus
could not catch him. With rueful counte-
nance, he returned TO his shop minus the calf's
head, and addressing some persons who witness
ed the occurrence, wished tbe whole canine spe-
cie<, especially the Newfoundland dog who took
such liberty with his larder, in a place where
the thermometer ranges above The nineiies at alb
seasons. At length he consoled himself for his
loss by circulating, his eyes sparkling with plea
sure, that the intruding animal 'didn't know
how to cook it," The gentleman who was in
terrognted about the French, said they were like
the dog and the calls head-they had got lib
ery three or four times, but "didn't know how
10 cook IT,"
Now, in our humble judgment, it is the peo-
pie of the state Of Maine, and not the French,
who don't know how to cook liberty. The rec
cent legislation in that State, prohibiting the
vending or drinking of sprituOus or fermented
liquors. is the fanaticism of liberty. In fact, u
is the very reverse Of liberty. Ifthe Legislature
has the power to say to man that he shall nell
rher sell nor drink brandy, ale, wine, beer, or
porter, etc., il possesses the power to prescribe
what he shall not eat, what clothes he shall or
shall not wear, and what shall I've the cut OF his
coat, if he is allowed to wear any. IL II possess
ses powe er to pass such law as this, u can win
equal proprieiy, IegisIate that the male popula-
rion shall not wear breeches any more, or thas
The ladies' must doff the skirts. The principle
in each case, is precisely the same. anu yer,
we see such papers as The Tribune, which daily
circulates sentiments destructive Of all govern
menr, endorsing such ridiculous leaislation, and
uphodng those who adopt il. as public benefac-
tors.
II the people of Maine are moulded in the
common form, they will either insist spon the
immediate repeal OF this ridiculous law. or drs-
regard il. II would be useless for them TO have
a constitution, and Imaginable TO claim being
free aud independent sovereignty, if,hey cannot,
without violating the law, drink mint juiep %
a glass of porter on a warm day. Out on such
(anaticisn. From the New York Herau Of Las
August, 1851.
But reverting TO France, The Temperance Ga
ze,re Of July 1549, observed: Eight montns
ago, there were in Paris $4,000 persons wbo
were Indicted to every sort Of vice and crstys
but, there was connecting link which bound nil
Itoce,her--they were all drunkards, and one hais
of them were hrutally drunk. AT the same time
il was ascertainet that there were 1000 women,
in Paris, who were certainly given to drink, and
10 900 Of these were, il possible, more abandon
ed than tbs men.
~ opinion advanced, more cousteousIy, by Mr.,
Castle, in The PoIynesian before mentioned, !
would only make the old quotation '.quot hoIni-
mes, rosos eententoe, ,''-and add that incline to
his opinions, so far as French temperance IS con-
cerned.
Rosebank, LIST Nov, 1851. r. C. WILLIE.
Imsy pisguoss here hs.e. i.di.sines in the
printed paper rum which quote. II is partially torn
For the Felynesisn.
Nh. EpIroR.--Such Z season Of drought 40
-. h.xe h.d n Makaxao and Hnmukua have