The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-06
The Problem Solved.

the use of alcoholic liquors as beverage.
Most candid and well informed minds have
given their general assent to the statement.
Others have regarded it as mere tigment
of the brain of the enthusiastic supporters
of a mere theory. Intelligent men have
said to us that paupers and criminals have
charged intoxicating drinks wrongfully, for
She purpose sf exciting sympathy, or re-
lieving themselves from the Odium brought
upon them by violations of law.
The results of the suppression of the
traffic in Maine, are triumphant vindica-
ton of the assertions of temperance speak
ers, and prove that the whole truth had not
been uttered. 1t is well known to those at
all conversant with the state of things in
Maine, that it was one of the hardest States
in the Union. Certainly none of the New
England States has suffered more from in
temperance. The city of Portland, with
population of over 10000, was never re-
markable for its order and virtue. On the
first of July last, it had grog-shop for
every 60 of its inhabitants, or one for every
10 families. Commitments for disorderly
conduct, riots, &c, were frequent. These
400 houses of death have haan searched,
the liquor seized and destroyed, not a whole
sale or retail grog-shop is known to exist.
Since the enforcement of the law, quiet and
order have reigned throughout the city, the
watch-house is empty, save what portion of
it is used to store seized liquors, awaiting
trial, watchmen are useless appendage to
the city police, pauperism and crime are
disappearing.
No infidel in Maine or elsewhere, doubts
as to the cause of this wonderful change.
The same benefcient consequences follow
the execution of the law in every city, vii
lage and hamlet in the State. How ought
those Christians, Philanthropists and Patri-
OTIS feel, who have stood aloof from the
cause of temperance, and have been whining
about moral suasion, and fearing to attack,
with the power of the law, this giant evil.
We would beseech the good people of Maine
to persist in the rigid enforcement of their
law. They have assumed position from
which they cannot retreat without fearfully
involving the cause of God and humanity
throughout the world Other States are
only waiting further developments to fol-
low this Star in the East. The fartherest
extremity of this mighty nation has already
felt the influences sent forth from Maine
Confidence aud hope have been inspired in
some, while fear and trembling have seized
others. If the people of Maine will hold
on in their course for a short time longer
they will receive aid and comfort from
other States, and then their task will be
easier. The truth is, the doom of the liquor
traffic is sealed. 1t only awaits the arm of
an omnipotent public sentiment to execute
the sentence.
We have been led to inquire what is the
vital principle in the legislation of Maine
that is working such miracles of mercy
The answer, to our mind, is easy. The
Legislature of that State have incorporated
into this law a single principle in Gods
Government. The Almighty nowhere holds
a parley with iniquity, or compromises with
evil. The moral suasion of the Bible is, do
this and you shall live, do it not and you
shall die. Motives, high as heaven, deep
as hell, are placed before hA creatures, to
induce them to pursue the right and avoid
the wrong; but the right must be followed
and the wrong stunned, or the rebel must
reap the frightful consequences. just III
proportion as the great principles of Gods
Government are recognized as correct, anC
adopted by human governments, will thi
light and blessings of the millenial day ad
vance. The great changes wrought in so
ciety within the last few years, by tht
application of steam, the electric telegraph
DC, d., are nothing after all but the legiti
mate results of an acquaintance with tn
laws of God written upon the materia
world, and obedience to those laws. A
other principles Of his laws, regulating mat
ter and mind, shall be discovered, and az
plications made, still more wonderful It
r suits may be expected,
So the principles of Gods moral govern
ment are precisely adapted to the situatio
and wants of man, and as they are unde
'0 stood and applied by human government
T. the arrangements of society will he co
It rected, and the moral waste bloom as EIDE
~ The doors, which are to be opened
those who are bound, spoken of by Il
Prophet, will only be unlocked as soce
n conforms to the requirements Of Heave
W Bolts, and bars, and dungeons, will be di
pensed with, by removing the necessity
their existence The time is drawing ne
when it will not be regarded as the chi
object of government to build lazar-hous
n and prisons, and then provide a way to
J.. them, but its efforts will be directed again
those evils which render these asylur
ia necessary.
,e The delusion that the great cause of pa
- perism and crime is to be removed by sil
q pie appeals to the consciences, common
~ termed " moral suasiOn," is fast vanishin
re 1t is right and proper to say to men, y
he ought not to make and sell this accurs
stuff, that is robbing the earth of its love
We ness and heaven of its jewels-and to az
pc line to line, and precept to precept arg
.e, ment to argument, but our work is not tn