The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-08-26


Editor. with the Editor Of the eat
las" does not see exactly how the
Maine Law can be strictly enforced
in our largest cities, yet he thinks
that stringent prOhibitOry measures
for the entire suppression and out
lawry Of the traffic in intoxicating
drinks, are at once necessary for the
safety of society and welfare Of our
country. Even admitting the objec-
ton, that the Maine Law could not
be enforced to the very letter in Gin
cinnati, he shows most clearly that it
would be productive Of immense good
here, and answer completely the OBJ
iect of its institution everywhere else.
But we contend that a prohibitory
law perhaps not the Maine Law pre-
CiseIy) can be enforced everywhere /;
if not, how is it that the laws against
murder, highway robbery, larceny,
counterfeiting, &C., &C., are so efec-
tually executed I? We subjoin the ar
ticle of the Gazette"
The Maine Law.
We published in ouwpaper of yes
terduy, what we believe to be a
correct copy Of the law of Maine, as
it now stands upon the statute book
of that State, prohibiting the sale and
manufacture Of intoxicating liquors,
except for medical and mechanical
purposes. The subject oftemperance
bids fair to be quite as prominent as
any other, in the coming fall election,
and it is important that the people
should know exactly what the friends
Of Temperance propose. We do not
suppose, however, that they will in
sist upon verbatim re-enactment Of
the Maine Law, but will accept such
notifications as will not lessen its
efficiency, while they make it more
generally acceptable.
The evils of intemperance have be-
come so enormous, and appear to be
increasing with such rapidity, that
the conviction is fact fixing itself in
the minds of all good citizens, that it
is time for all the friends of law and
order to unite on some plan for re-
moving them. The Temperance men
offer the Maine Law as their plan, and
are making that the text Of all their
discourses. Their plan is summary
one, and strikes at the very root Of
the evil and, if it can be carried out,
will undoubtedly work a great revolu-
ton in our State. But can the law
be enforced ? This question staggers
many persons, and leads them to doubt
the expediency Of the law. More
consequence has been given to this
objection, however, than it deserves
In the State, generally, there would
be little difficulty in enforcing it; but
in Cincinnati, and in the other cities
and large towns, it would, undoubted.
ly. be but partially enforced, even for
a considerable length of time. Still,
much good would be done even by
this partial enforcement the pro.
gress of intemperance would be sensi.
bly, checked, and temptations would
be greatly diminished.
We can see how the mere passage
Of the law, without any attempt to
enforce it, would operate, in the effect
of our present laws prohibiting the
sale of liquors on Sunday. Our Po-
lice officers have been shamefully neg
iigent in arresting men who openly
violate this law, although backed up
by the moral sentiment Of the whole
community; a fact which shows how
much more they fear the active and
energetic hatred of coffee house keep
ers, than the dull and sleepy anger Of