New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-11
THE MAINE LAW.

49,
Mighty Gathering Of the Friends Of
Temperance and Order mt MetroPoli-
inn HalI-Enthutiastic Indsrsement
Of TeetotnIism by the Masses
spe.ches of DIR. Peck, DIR. Patton,
DIR. Tying, Rev. Mr. Chaplin, Hon
r.. ID, Culver, and John Hawkins--
The Resolutions, incidents, &C., NC.
Tn spite Of the storm and extremely dis
agreeable weather last night, there was glo-
rious rally of the friends OF Temperance and
public virtue at Metropolitan Hall, for the pur-
pose of speeding on the effort to abolish the
Rum Traffic in the Empire State. The audience
was one of unusual intelligence and respecta.
bility, at least third of whom were women
that portion of the population OF this City who
are the first and greatest sufferers by the curse
OF rum drinking.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev
Mr.. Armstrong, who was introduced by the
honorable appcllatIon OF "one OF the Oldest
Temperance advocates in this country" He made
short but feeling prayer for the aid OF the Almighty
in the work which was now in progress.
Mr. C. c. LEIGH, on behalf OF the New-Iork City
Temperance Alliance, then explained IN few
words the object for which the Alliance had been
formed He said that this Ali snce had been formed
BY some of the most earnest Temperance men in the
City, first for the purpose fsecurng the enforcement
of the laws existing against the fragrant viola
ton and dissertation of the Sabbath by the sale OF
intoxicating liquors that day. The extent OF this
violation is too we'll known to this audience to need
any remark thereupon. Every one is aware OF the
open and fragrant manner In Wnlcn the oaoDath
is thus violated. In the second place THIS Alliance
hoef for IT'S object the removal OF the Dolls ana oil
all political meetings from places where aicononc
beverages are sold. OF the importance OF this step
every voter must long ago have been convinced by
his own observation. Thirdly, the Alliance Will
endeavor to prevent the illegal money contributions
by candidates for Office, for the purpose OF securing
their election. In the next place and this Is mos!
important feature, the Alliance Will make every effort
to procure the enactment OF stringent laws to pro.
hbit the manufacture and sale OF intoxicating liquors
as beverage. Lastly, the Alliance Will not vote for
nor support for Office any who will not aid them
in the execution OF these purposes such are the
leading features in the Constitution OF this organlza-
ton, They are so pla that may be excused nom
speaking at any length upon them Permit me 10 In
tr0duce TO you Rev. DR. Peck, weil-known iaborer
In the cause Of Temperance.
Dr. Peck said, in appearing before you this even
ing, realize the embarrassment of not having par
taken Of the inspiration of the occason-of not hav-
ing been inspired by the demonstration OF that sym
patty which exists not only on this platform but In
the breasts OF all those in favor OF this great move
ment which we have met here this evening to
sustain-but have the whole field before me, be-
fore even the work OF the evening is done can
make my own selection and follow my conscience
with regard to what have to say, and not anhci-
pate as am not disposed to borrow trouble before
hand by any particular contrast with the manner,
or mode, OF proceeding to the subject on the part
of my colleagues or myself am here to 60 for
what We call the Maine Liquor Law " out and OUT
Loud cheeIs.) l am favorable to the enactment
contemplated as applicable to this state-as one
which here TO sustain by actions, by pub
he expresson-and, l trust, by carrying CONVICTION
10 the minds OF the representatives OF our commun.
~ OF Imperative necessity, because hola the
legal business legislation protect the nights and
intel ess of society. The conditions OF social con-
Tract or rather Its implied conditions those which
respect the nights OF other individuals
BODY polite, and that we will not pursue our own
ncllr atoms at the expense of any other Of the
community, or fulhll our own selfish purposes OF in
snbordina,ion to the general welfare To those we
stand pledged, and the object of our Legislature Is
TO carry out, and sustain u.s. and to see that these
pledges are met and redeemed on the part oil lndl
vicual members Of our community. Ii is only by
this that they protected from aggression or out
rage on the part OF those who disregard our social
obligations and If the law be not with the commu-
nily II the Government do not protect these rights
II dces not answer the purposes of legislation and
therefore SOCIAL order cannot be maintained and
hence II Jus ice would be the consequence I have
Tgltto enrich myself al the expense of my Regh-
poI, nol mahc gam OUT Of AIS tpous OUT nave
hight to demand at the hands OF my representative in
the Legislature the enforcement. OF those laws
! necessary to protect me IN the pursuit OF my
legal nights, while, on the other hand, they should
see that commit no violation Of the shts OF others.
The question naturally arising from these premises
Is, whether the Liquor TIsfic Tor the msnufactar-
Ing or sale OF alcoholic drinkD is a war on tue
nights CT society; an aggression the rights of IL
oyiduals or infringement on the happiness pros
periiy or the moral character of the community
Now let US see what is this traffic II consists sim
ply IN the manufacture Of drunkarts In presenting
10 the people ten ptaion 10 crafty morbid appe-
lite BY the indulgence Of those drinks which dsduai-
Ines them for every social position makes them
instruments OF confusion and dsore aniz alton In So
cley, and creates mischief degradation and ruin so
far as then influence extends ami the structou OF
tie very foundation Of society The drunk ard as /
far as his position IN society concerned Is lost
his prospects are ussted he is poor wretch on
earth, and when he dies, regretted, sees TO his ac-
count win his sin on him. II they have a right
TO make one they have an equal rieh, 70 MAKE
ten or huncfed, or to extend II 20 the yh Die COM
MUIf;y. and II theI power were extended their in
te,ests would permit them 70 make drunkenness
universal. TneIs Can De 10 such night ana no air.
tain that our Legislators are bound 10 protect our
conn unity from aIy such outrages as this n they
have right to protect II from any other But who
Is thai bos constituted this grand university for the
"pfo;t sSioBsi crUnksTci 1 Will not mention his
Isme- sufficient hoEevef, TO cay, that rum seers
Usually reverse the order and nature of thipes and
stasnaie ,heu meElbers en- the DESCENDING scale:
and The ioses. degree OF cIssrace. misery and eyery
species OF vice. Is conferred them as the e,ext
Trace them from their appearance In the spirnnd