The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-09-07
Michigan and the Maine Law.

All laws prOnIDltng the sale OF intoxicating drinks
are now called Maine Laws. whether they nre
copies OF the original law which was enacted in
Maine, or not. We do not know how the Mich
igan law agrees in detail with the Maine law; but
we understand that it is totally pr onbitory of the
pernicious traffic; and this is sufficient to cIarac-
terise it ''the Maine Law" and Maine for her
noble precedent, is eminently worthy of being quo
ted as the patentee of perfect panacea for the
most deadly moral sickness that ever afflicted hu-
man communities.
Aud Michigan what has she done? Why, only
look at her-for age, she is perfect green horn,
TO what New York is. 1t is but few years ago
that tho people of New England, New York.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania commenced going
there with their OK teams, to clear up farms, build
log houses and break up the praries. Seventeen
years ngo next fall, gentleman Of our acquaint
ance purchased -four here in Buffho ut ten dollars
per barrel. and sent it to his father in Michigan,
because there none there to be had. So little
while ago was Michigan in her swaddling clothes.
Now behold sbe has grown to maturity, gel done
sowing her wild oats, taken the temperance pledge
and is fairly the right road 10 moral, as we'll
financial prosperity.
We have heard it significantly nsked Will
Michigan enforce the law now she has enacted
and sanctioned il! Let circumstances answer
this question. 1t is not thing jumped into at
first thought, without delberation. 1t has long
been subject of debate both in public journals and
in public assemblies. Every thing that could be
said in favor of it, by its friends. and against it, by
its enemies, was said and said, in every town and
y;ll nd in tb,r
meet together. Every body understood the ques-
ton thoroughly before the Legislature acted upon
Ei and when it was submitted to vote of the peo-
pie, both par,ies-for and against-rallied all the
forces they could muster, and fought every inch
Of ground. the State through. The result of n
lnrge poll-much larger than was contemplated
is not less than two in favor to against the law.
And what is still better, it was not favored by
large majorities in some sections, and repudiated
by large minorties in other sections. Every con-
siderable town in the State gavea majority in its
favor; which proves Its uniform popularity all over
the State; and the majority, which at first was
thought had reached ten thousand, is now thought
to be twenty five thousand.
What do these circumstances argue in relation
to the enforcement of the law! They show that
two thirds Of the men and all the women of Mich
igan nre 10 favor Of aboshing grog shops and tip
ling; and thar every man whe is in favor of the
forcement of the law, can exercise much moral
force as two who will oppose it. No argument is
required TO prove this position, TO those who know
the difference between the two classes Of nen.-
The people of Michigan full of elasticity and
vigor--ihey have said that the law shall be en-
forced and it ,ciu be enforced. OF this we feel
just do that seed time aud harvest
will come in their regular turns. Thus young
Michigan has put our mature state to shame
She has abolished the gallows, which is pretty
inrge stride towards an improved civilization; and
she has abolished its prncIpa if not sole purveyor,
the maddening drug. She will soon have no use
for peniteniiHries, jeils poor houses unless it
may be for the benefit of customers who go from
this State, or some others where the gallows and
the grog shops retained the emblems of
moral refinement five felt pretty sure of having
II couple of dozen years to live, and could ex-
cuse ourselves from farther endeavor to induce
the Empire State TO honor her motto; we should
pretty soon be picking up our traps for Michigan.
l--BuGaio Rrpu6Eic. Z.