The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-22
Our Rhode Island Correspondence.

PROVIDENCE. JAY ~, 1852.
The Ntao Liqi,cr Lasc Laying 10 Supplies f0r the
Year Increase an tie Consumption Of Ltgaor,
&C., &c.
"Order reigns in Warsaw This day the Maine
law, as enacted by the Legislature Of this mighty
State, takes effect. From and after this date, no
more ardent spirits, other liquids calculated to
elevate man above the cares and troubles Of life
can he manufactured or sold within its borders.
An agency has been established in this city,
where, with proper certificates. man can obtain
limited quantities Of the poison" for medical and
artistical purposes.
1t has been truly amusing for the last fortnight,
to see the grand rush to the stores of the varou.
dealers in distilled death and damnation,' Of
all classes Of the community, to secure a suicency
Of the evil to lag: until the cloud passes over.
An immense quantity Of liquor has been sold,
There lie hardly retailer but that has disposed of
as much as ordinarily he would sell in year; and
many of them sold more.
As the fatal day approached, the fever increased,
and spread most aIarmingly. Active friends and
advocates of the Maine law, and its strict enforce
ment, might be seen rushing through the streets
with demijoLns and jugs, procure 9uantnm SIT.
of the soon to be prescribed luxury.
The rich stored their cellars with wines and other
expensive liquors-the poorer classes invested their
surplus cash in cheaper kinds Of fluid At store,
which has hitherto supplied the upper ten with
beverage. tDe rush was so great ass ditHOnSH Win
double the usual force, to almost entirely prevent
their attending to other branches Of their business
Wagons, drays, hand carts, and all the numerous
means of transport alton, were in requisition, and
yet were insufficient to keep pace with the demand.
When friends and acquaintance met in the streets,
the first and only inquiry was" Have you laid in
Il supply of liquor T. Interest. in al! matters
religious, moral, and rolitica-was lost in this all
absorbing idea. Providence seemed to have run
liquor mad Lawyers. elergymen physicians me
cbaDics, laborcrs-all intent upon securing
then selves from the practical operation Of the law.
Temperance men and 'rummies, Maine law men
and anti-Mainc law men, religious men and sinners
all Joined in the great scramble for something to
drink.
Thousands who, but for this law, would never
have thought of purchasing using drop of in
toXicaiine liquor, are now well supplied and 1t is
too much to expect that what they have bought will
in their way, daily and hourly. They can drink Sc
cret1y and securely: they not obliged to go to
bar, ana. before their acquantances quaif the
tents Of the intoxicating cup but in the privacy of
their houses, can sip down the destructive draught.
The best friends Of temperance in this State, look
upont his movement most destructive anddemoral-
izng its tendency. 1t cannot last; and during its
brief existence it will make more drunkards, aye,
ten times the number it will save.
The actual operation of the law is thus for some
time deferred. True, liquor will not be sold; but
there will be demand for it. Nearly every is
supplied, and until this supply is exhausted the law
viii not be felt.
When however, the demand again arises the
practicabiiy of the law will be tested, and it will
be seen whether it can be sustained and enforced in
large communities as efectually us it has been in
Maine.
OF one thing there can be no dispute-the auanti-
ty of ardent spirits and intoxicating liquors
sumed, will, for the present, be greatly increased
Should anything worthy of note occur, | will
write you again.
Fiat justitia ruat colum.
JACOB Faithful.