The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-03-25
Governor Hubbard and the Liquor Law Of
Maine.

The State Temperance Convention Of
Maine, that recently had two days meet
ing at Augusta, during the present session
of the Legislature, was by all odds the larg-
est, and most enthusiastic convention of tee
totalers that have ever been assembled in
that State No church, nor hall in the place,
was large enough to hold the multitude of
delegates, and so they swarmed in the two
churches, filling them both to overfowing,
and thus carried on simultaneously two meet
ings Of the active and eloquent friends of
the cause, who, though divided in body and
place, were in spirit and sentiment all unit
ed and unanimous for the principles and
continuation of the Maine Law.
His Excellency, John Hubbard, the Gov
ernor, who, at the time he signed the "Maine
Law" was neither a friend to it, nor a tee
totaler, but seeing its successful and benef-
cent operation, has since become both, was
elected President of the Convention, and on
taking the chair on the evening of the first
day, amid the hearty and repeated cheers Of
the assembly, defined his new position rela-
tive to the law, and teetotalism, in a short
address, reported by the Gardner Foun-
tain" as follows
Gov. Hubbard, the President, upon tax.
ing the chair, expressed his thanks for the
honor conferred on him in selecting him t.
preside over this meeting. He said he would
have declined position for which he was 81
little qualified. Severe sickness in his fami
", and protracted watching, had more thar
usually untitled him for the duty. But OF
such an occasion, called on by such an au
dience, composed of the aged and the young
representing the combined wisdom of tn
State, united in one great effort, he coulC
not, humbly representing as he did the ma
Ijesty of the State, refuse the position as
: signed him. The subject of temperance ha
| long been the subject of effort, by means O
! pledges, moral suasion and other modes c
! action. But there is a limit beyond whic
t private and associated effort cannot 20. TIL
! reform cannot be carried out whilst the IL
!. ducements are held out on every side Main'
: true to her motto, has undertaken to direct
has taken the first step in legislating on tn
(. subject with view of destroying the ere
Y ture itself. He said he would not discuss
: large the constitutionality or expedieney
$ the law. He would leave that to othC
e speakers. He would only say, with regar
] to the constitutionality, that if we can legi
e late for the determination of ravenous beast
r we may for the determination of the grea
: est of all evils, which reduces the huma
c form divine to condition worse than tn,
g Of savage. Congress has the power to reg
i late commerce, but not to determine VIII
# shall be the subjects of commerce. II
y State may prohibit those articles of traC
$ which are detrimental to community, an
d legislate for the protection of its own eli
p zens. He assured the meeting he was wit
!, them in all measures coming strictly With
h the power of the State, to control this gre
d evil. The power of the State is as broad al
&c as deep as is the necessity of protecting Il
. lives and health, the physical and intelle
: tual energies of her citizens, the morals al
IS the religion of the Prince of Peace. Tn
r far he was prepared to go with the COnve
ton.