The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-10-15

Ile OlVlheIS OF InlS village have excl
ted themselves, to the utmost of their
ability, to prevent the traffic in spirit
uous liquors from being carried on in
their midst. They have so far sue
ceeded in this, that, except for medic
inal purposes, no spirits have been
kept for sale here for a considerable
time; or if sold, it has been done
stealthIly. This feeling, on the part
of our citizens, has been generally un-
derstood; and, it was supposed, ac-
guessed in by all amongst us. Some
two weeks since, the quiet Of the VIII
lage was no little disturbed by infor-
nation that one of the citizens had
brought home tOO barrels of Dhisky
to sell for vinegar. A temperance
meeting had been already appointed
for the ensuing Thursday evening,
and it was resolved to make it the
occasion for an expression of the feel
ings Of the people in reference to the
traffic in general, and especially in
reference to the sale of so large an
amount for Uinegar and medicine. A
series Of resolutions was offered, avow-
ing that the citizens of the village ab,
horred the idea of recommending the
traffic in alcohol in their midst, and
affirming their purpose to use all law
full means TO put a stop to the traffic (;
and, if necessary to this end, to drive
from the community the individual
engaged in the hated business. After
a free discussion, in which the person
charged attempted to vindicate him
self from the charges alleged against
him, the resolutions were unanimously
passed by large audience. Very
considerable excitement followed the
meeting, and continued for several
days. At length u truce was pro-
posed. The person by whom the
whisky was brought to town, declared
that he had not yet opened the bar
rels, and proposed to the temperance
men that if they would buy his liquor
at cost, he would sell out and bring no
more to the place. Our friends deem
ing this the best expedient-in the abb
sence of the Maine Law--to which
they could resort, purchased his whis
ky at coSt-TwENTY- SEVEN cents per
gallon-and determined to deal with
it according to the spirit of that law.
Notice was accordingly given, that on
the next Monday evening, in the pub
lie square, these two barrels Of whisky
would be disposed of according to the
provisions Of the Maine Liquor Law.
A large audience assembled at the
time appointed, and, Notwithstanding
athreatened disturbance by those who
prefer being burned by this "good
creature Of God" to burning it, the
meeting passed off harmoniously and
in tolerable order. A Temperance
speech was made from the head Of
one of the barrels by 7. H. CUMMINGS,
who was in the village at the time
when the heads were knocked in; and
after rather unsuccessful attempt at
burning the liquor, it was spilled out
upon the earth to water it, but not
with the tears of the widow and or
phan. Thus ended this attempt at
renewing the soul-damning traffic in
intoxicating liquors in this village.
This community has stood deserv-
edly high, for many years, in its tenn
perance character and zeal. In, per-
haps, every other village of the county,
ardent spirits have continued to be re-
tailed, notwithstanding the efforts made
by temperance men to the contrary.
Here alone this foundation of death
has been dried up. Our citizens have,
as the several attempts have been
made to renew the traffic, frowned
them down, and compelled individuals,
if they disposed of the forbidden arti-
Gle at all, to do 1t covertly. But, in
no instance, has the strong temper
ance sentiment of the community been
more clearly exhibited than in the pre-
sent case. But one feeling of general
indignation pervaded the minds of our
citizens, which could be appeased by
nothing short of the utter abandon
ment of the unholy traffic. The peo-
pie here loathe the entire business Of
retailing alcoholic liquors, and win
urgently demand the enactment of a
n n