The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-06-10
LETTER FROM NEAL DOW.
PORTLAND, April ID,


c. g. AMEs, (cor. Sec. Minnesota Ter. Temp
DEAR SIR: Yours of March 10th is dull
received. am reioiced to know that oOl
brethren Of the great West are interesting
themselves ia the work Of protecting tht
people from the terrible effects Of the trsf
ic in strong drinks. The "Act for The
suppression Of drinking-houses and tip
ping -shops,n known as the Maine Law, i:
working wonders 10 this reducing
inlemperance, poverty, pauperlsm and
crime TO very narrow limits. The steady
operation Of the Law for FIVE years. would
produce almost magical effects upon the
condition Of the people, and would be sure
to cause the adoption Of similar measure
in all our sister States. When the Law
was frs, enacted, many good men doubted
the expediency of the measure; but now
Jail such are convinced that it was most
wise, and will be most salutarv in its effects
upon public and private happiness and
welfare.
We are anxious that our sister States
should initiate our example in this par,ic.
lular, and derive all the advantages from il
which will certainly follow Nothing can
contribute SO rauch and so directly To the
wealth and prosperity Of new country.
ike Minnesota Territory, rs The absolute
prohibition Of the traffic in Intoxicating
drinks. The capital to be found in such
countries is always too small for the wants
# the people: and for the rapid and health
| fu develope pement Of their resources, tdlo,
IS therefore the most important part ol
ther capital. All the money, or its equiv
| aleni. which is spent for Intoxicating
kinks is a dead loss to the individual anc
10 the commnnty--and much worse ,har
that, for in a sparseiy populated country
Ike YOUR Territory, every dollar spent Ia
irong drink, involves the loss of al least
wo other dollars, in time. and in he dimin-
shed industry Of The people. One Of the
aaries, and most certain effects of the ,rat
| fic in strong drinks is to undermine the
industrial activity Of the people, 10 mike
Them unfhritiy in al, the affairs OF life
md 10 make them finally poor, ignorant.
miserable, vicious aud degraded. All this
hey will certainly become, just in proper
lion and degree as they fall under the in
auenrc Of tha, traffic.
Nothing. then, can SO much promote the
interests of your people and the prosperity
# Our Territory, as To provide by sound
stringent, legal enactment for the efisctua
| suppression OF the traffic in intoycating
drinks the final extinguishmant oi
drinking houses and tippling- Shops" as
The Maine Law expresses it.
The mouey which such measure will
save to your people, will afford ample
means for establishing schools. academies,
libraries nnd churches; for making roads,
building bridges, factories and workshops
in word. for adorning your Territory
speedily with all the accessories Of high
and pure civilization. Alm,houses, jais
md prisons, YOU will not require, bu, pub
lie halls aud lecture rooms you will need
and all these. with much more, you can
provide with means. which, without the
measure recommend. would be expended
for strong drinks, which inevitably impov-
erish and degrade those who use them.
Iwish you would send me copy Of your
Law; let me know the action Of your peo-
pic upon it, and communicate any informa-
lion which may be interesting.
Very respectfully YOURS,
NEAL DOW.