Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-03-12
The Maine LIQUOR Law and the Journal.


Lest our illusions to the Maine Liquor Law, in an
article published short time since, under the head
of " Humbug and Can't might be understood as in
dcating hostility part to the cause of lem
perance or those engaged in it, and thus perhaps
exert some influence nmical to that cause, would
beg distinctly to state that such was neither our in
tention, the plain and obvious meaning of our
words Weare clearly of opinion, that all the weap-
of moral suason, voluntary association and cor
rect and heathfal public opinion should be brought
to bear against ntemperance, and in favor OF the re-
formation of its Victims and in order to prevent 9TH
ers from becoming so So far we so cordially and
heartily: but do oppose, and shall continue to
oppose all mixing up of such questions with politics
all atto,,Pts compel eqieeeo-Aa by legal ooraa
pulsion; under the pains and penalties OF excom-
munication. We are opposed in toto to all the new
tangled sms and notions which spring up rapidly
in the New England States and are totally out of
their latitude here, and we shall always denounce
such things as humbugs, for they such but for
temperance and all similar reforms, conducted in
proper manner, and characterized by proper spirit
we shall not cease to have the highest respect and
heartily wish them all !'God speed"
We have read the article in question over and
over again. and must confess ourselves unable to per-
ceive any just grounds for the construction which
we regret to learn has been put upon it, The names
of many of our warmest and most respected friends
are enrolled among the Sons of Temperance and we
are not ignorant of the vast benefits which the com
munity has derived from that and kindred organiza
tons Nothing, therefore, could be farther from oul
wishes than to cast any slur upon the society," tc
do anything that might tend to throw obstacles ir
the way of its accomplishing its work of reformation
But politician or, if we might, without too much
presumption, use the word, as statesman, we ART
opposed to all compulsory measures, believing sucl
not only wrong in themselves but also calculated tt
retard the progress of the cause. We know, ant
are pleased to know, that of the Fundamental
principles of all the temperance organizations, is
total exclusion of sectarian OF political questions
and we feel assured that the great majority of tn
temperance men themselves would agree with us il
denouncing any attempt to convert the State int
gigantic Division of the Sons of Temperament
Will our temperance friends permit to say that
in our opinion they, rather of them, hav
appropriated to themselves denunciations to which
they had no sort of title. We have seen enough o
masonry and anti-masonry in some of the Northern
States to want no temperance or anti-temperane
element infused into our domestic politics. W
would oppose such to the fullest extent of our hum
BILE abilities, at the time that would lend al
the little influence we might possess to advance tn
cause of temperance reformation as matter of so
cial progress. So many new-fangled notions spring
full fedged from the land of abolition agitation-s
many schemes for interfering by lar with our neigh
bors, be the said neghbors States or individuals tina
ld-fashoned conservative Democrats like ourselve
are very apt to view anything coming from tina
source with distrus and will venture to say tina
before any great length of time has elapsed the vas
majority of Temperance men will regard this Main
Law precisely as We do, and become convinced tina
its agitation of it would tend to bring suspicion an
odum upon a noble cause, and thus defeat the en-
it was intended to serve. The New Hampshire Stat
Temperance Society pronounced against it upon thi
5 very ground.
We have too much respect for ourselves to preten
for moment an approval of measure which W
do not like, and too high opinion of the good sens
of our temperance friends to suppose that fran
D avowal of our opinion would lower US in their est
, nation but we should regret exceedingly that an
remarks of ours should be tortured into opposition
gentlemen whom we esteem
I R1FThe Maine Liquor Law has been defeated i
the New Jersey Legislature by vote of 46 to -
1t was decided to be unconstitutional mpracticabl,
fraught with mischief, AID out of its latitude.
REThe Circus Las arrived and will perform tonight