The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-19

| Party; variety of European. California, CONNER
| cial ard Miscellaneous Intelligence, &c.
/ Pl oeress OF the Temperance Movements
/ Plan OF the Campaign.
| The extracts given elsewhere, from the New
| York .fAiance-a paper published by the New
York Temperance Alliance display pretty fully
| the movements of the temperance party, and
their prospects for the winter campaign. This
body has now been in existence for upwards OF
three years, and seems to have labored with
| great zeal in the cause to which it was devoted.
1t endeavored, with only partial success, to en-
list the State Legislature on its side during last
| session bill framed on the Maine law passed
the Senate. but failed in obtaining the sanction
of the House. Turning to our municipal bodies
it attempted to prevent the issue of licenses by
the Boards of Excise, apparently on some tech
nical grounds of law and having been met by
a refusal on the part of the boards, made for
NAL application to Judge Bosworth for an in
junction to restrain their authority in the matter
Here, again, the Alliance failed: the Superior
Court ruled that it had no jurisdiction. and
the temperance party began to see that, to
| effect anything it would be compelled to go to
the fountain head of power. and work at the
polls. Accordingly, the Alliance took an ac-
tive part in canvassing on behalf of the amended
city charter for the triumph Of which it claims
some credit. 1t likewise exerted itself at the
last city election, and asserts that majority
of both boards of the next Common Council are
favorable to its views. All the influence it
could command was brought to bear upon the
State elections with what success, we may in
fer from its confident assertion that i" seven
members Of the Assembly, and two, perhaps
three. if not all four Senator'S from the city,
will vote for the Maine law, while two thirds of
both houses are believed to be favorable to its
passage. Meanwhile, unwilling to confne its
labors TO this State, the Alliance took the city
of Washington under its care, and petitioned
Congress TO enact prohibtory law for the
| District of Columbia
Such is the record OF the past record high
ly creditable to the zeal, perseverance and en-
ergy Of the temperance leaders. Whatever
differences of opinion may exist on the abstract
policy of such laws az the one for which they
are contending there can be no question Of the
disinterestedness Of its advocates. Moreover,
to any one who witnesses the awful progress of
intemperance in our midst, and recognises the
absolute necessity of checking the pestlence by
some remedy or other. the dangers directly
arising from preservation Of our present laws
cannot but seem more formidable than those
which may be apprehended from an arbitrary
curtailment of our natural liberties in respect
of eating and drinking. On the one side
we have principle violated involving but
slight personal inconvenience on the other, we
have thousands and thousands OF our fellow
country men plunged daily into vice, homes
desolated, wives brutalised, children reared in
crime, and the Jail calendar swelled to de-
gree that no other city has ever witnessed. In
presence of such dilemma, we for one-aad
we believe we are speaking the sentiments of
the bulk of the people of New York-resolve to
silence scruples, and to interpose no obstacle to
fair trial of the Maine Liquor law. How it
will work in this State-whether it will really
check crime, and promote domestic happiness
remains to be SEEM but fit only effects half what
it promises by its adherents, the boon will be sig
nal and viii entitle them to lasting gratitude.
The public therefore, look with some interest
to the opening of the campaign at Albany. AS
will be seen from the list of subscriptions given
elsewhere there is no lack of money among the
temperance party. They have according to
their own statements, two-thirds Of the votes in
both houses; and we may rest assured that
perseverance and energy will not be wanting
among their leaders. These are great advan-
tages. But it would be rash to conclude from
them that the victory is already won. Some
eight or ten separate and distinct influences
will reign at Albany, each commanding GER
tain proportion Of votes and operating quite
independently of party. There are, for instance,
to begin with, the railroad and the bank infiu-
ences, both powerful, INSCRIPTIONS and uncom-
promising. The former will be on the ale,t to
oppose railroad eacscstucnt bill-the latter to
extend TIE privileges Of free banks. The
Canal influence will rally round separate ban
ner large party. Then political differences
will give birth to several rival parties. We
shall have an abolition influence, o national
democratic influence, and an independent whig
influence The Seward free soil influence will
coHlmanu an lhteBrai power ny itseii, dnu 80
will the free soil influence, which acknowledges
Marcy and Van Buren, as its chiefs To sue
coed in it's aim, the temperance party will re-
quire, If not to conciliate, at least to prevent
these various influences from opposing it d.
recty. Should they remain neutral, we have
every reason to believe that the temperance
men will carry their law. Should they, on the
contrary, through accident, Encouragement, or
intrigue, be led into opposition, the fate of the
Maine law will be doubtful.
Nor must the temperance party lose sight Of
the fact that the dealers in liquors are party
by no means to be despised They are wealthy,
active, and interruptions: they will leave no