The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-20
THE ORG
The Maine Law.

of equal rights, and as friend of the Con-
, stitution, l fervently pray that no such law
may ever be found to disgrace the Statutes
of Ohio. l know of no other law in this
country, now in force-of no law in Eng
land. or in the world, embracing so many
badges of tyranny, in so short compass
as are contained in this law and l have
serious doubts whether many of those who
have SO hastily, incOnsiderately and with
out examination, put their names to petl-
tions now beyond their reach and control,
will not hereafter regret having done so
merely upon the faith of others. "-GeoTge-
tOs0R Union.
We should like to say word or two to
this friend of temperance" this friend
of equal rights" and friend of the Consti-
tuition" We dare say that he is a " friend
of temperance" to the full extent of passing
laws in its favor, provided they shall be
imperative or insufficient.
He would probably be in favor Of law,
Just severe enough to act as bounty on
its infraction, so that the increased profit of
the contraband trader should more than
counterbalance the risk of detection. He
is such a friend Of temperance, that he
cannot consent to its being deprived of any
of its merit. What would temperance be
without self denial2 And were all tempta-
ton Withdrawn, how could we practice
self denial Let your sons be disciplined
betimes to withstand all the appliances of
means, opportunity and example; and
though some will be lost in the process, of
course, yet the survivors will be all the
better for the seasoning.
The above quoted paragraph gives no
reasons, and we have assigned motives for
our friend of temperance, absolutely the
best we could think of applicable to his
position. Friend of Temperance God
send the cause ten enemies rather than one
such friend.
The writer in the "Union" processes to
be the "friend of equal rights" If the
Maine Law is passed, it will be an evidence
that a majority of the people, having found
from the frequency of assassinations, rob
berries and incendiarism, originating in the
use of ardent spirits, that their lives and
property can only be secure by the sup
preston of the traffic in that article, have
resorted to the only efficient means to effect
that end. But it would appear that in the
opinion of this " friend of temperance and
equal rights that the majority have no
right, on so insignificant pretext, to en-
force 50 stringent a measure as the seizure
of the liquor itself 1t affords no opportu
nifty for the evasion and equivocation of
witnesses, and what is of more Importance,
perhaps, to the "friend of temperance,
equal rights and the Constitution" it puts
an extinguisher on the ingenuity of the
lawyer.
But the implements of the forger and the
gambler are likewise liable to seizure. Has
the correspondent Of the Union" no
bowels of compassion for them?
But we would ask the writer what are the
badges of tyranny" embraced in this law ?
What right does it abridge?
Does this "friend of equal rights and the
Constitution" dare assert that any man on
Gods footStool has right to introduce into
anv neighborhood that which necessarily
and inevitably results in prostituting the
health, destroying the life, endangering the
safety, depraving the morals Of society?
This "friend of Temperance" will not
deny that liquor does all this, and more,
wherever or by whomsoever introduced
What is there of tyranny about law that
shall declare liquor a nuisance, aud provide
for its certain and speedy abatement
The bill of rights, which prcCedes the
Constitution, and declares the objects of
establishing Government, is a rhetorical
flourish, tissue of miserable clap-trap and
nonsense, or else this Maine law, with all
it's badges of tyranny" is absolutely es-
sential to secure the full enjoyment of the
inalienable rights of man. Do the laws
against theft, and arson, and rape, and
murder, embrace badges of tyranny? If
not, with what proprety can he thus i'm
peach law which is essential to prevent
such viLlainies. But, perhaps, this friend
Of Temperance would prefer law which
should permit the universal traffic, and
hold the liquor seller liable in damages for
the mischief done. Ridiculous If the
property Of all the liquor sellers in Ohio
s 1 Il. I.l L,.l