The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-09-02
Temperance and the Maine Law.

ANOh 1hotpLAtlONs AAO tpAb WHICH bn6y 1
adopt, as the basis Of their reflections, is |
what is designated as the Maine Law. As |
suning, as many do, not only that the OBJ
ject proposed BY the law is good one, but
that the means which it provides are con-
sistent with the principles Of right, and the
best that can be devised to secure the end
in view, the question appears. to be, "can il
be carried into effect 4"
Well, can the Maine Law be carried into
effect in Ohio The reply Is, almost in
varlably, "We fear it cannot" WhyH "Be-
cause" say our thinking friends, "the
minds of the people are net prepared for
it," Now, while we sympathise to the
fullest possible degree with the philanthro-
pic desires Of our temperance friends, we
must be permitted to say that we fear the
idea set forth above is illogical-that 1T is
founded on incorrect views Of mans nature,
and Of an improper estimate of the power
Of law and the functions Of legislation. It
assumes that time for the reception Of the
Maine Law may arrive when its provisions
will fully harmOnize with the genius Of the
people.
Why are the people Of Ohio not prepared
for the reception of the Maine Law Is
there any want of knowledge Of the evils Of
intemperance There cannot be. II there
is subject within the whole range Of hu-
man knowledge, upon which the masses in
the United States may be said to be fully
advised, instructed and indoctrinated, 1t is
that Of the evils Of intemperance. All that
the popular mind can contain Of facts, sta
tistics and illustrations, il has. 1t under
stands intemperance, individually and col
lectively, as a private vice, and as great
national curse, evil and sin. The drunk
ards that reel along the streets admit all
that can be charged against intoxicating
drinks. No, it is not for the want of the
knowledge OF the evils Of intemperance that
the people Of Ohio are not prepared to re-
ceive the Maine Law for if more knowl-
edge 10 required, it will be necessary to
await the enlargement of the human capaci-
ty, before the law and the popular condi-
tion can be expected to coincide and har-
monize.
Is there any want Of conviction Of the sin
of making, vending, and above all, Of drink
ing intoxicating things We say, no.
Starting from the farthest corner of the
whisky region, and canvassing the entire
population, from thence to the great centre
\ Of the rectifying trade in Cincinnati, you
\ will scarcely find man who is not ready
| to admit that the making Is wrong, the sell
ing is wrong, and the drinking Is wrong /;
/ that they are all offenses against the obli-
! cations Of man, and sins against God
/ Then wherein consists the want of pre-
sent preparation 10 be supplied by any
/ probable revolution in sentiment or opinion?
! Will greater amount Of enlightenment
| will more facts, more statistics, more tenn.
| perance lectures, bring whisky-makers to a
| more profound sense Of their responsible
ties--teach whisky-sellers to respect more
tenderly the flaws and feelings Of human
| ity, or induce whisky-drinkers to refrain
from putting that enemy in their mouths,
which they know will steal away their
brains.H viii all these appliances ever in
duce these three great classes to join In
praying for law that shall strangle the
worm Of the distillsry, cork up the Cask Of
the vender, and put stopper upon the
| mouth Of the soul who thirsts ? We are
| afraid not. Mah G
Il In point of actual knowledge and specu-
lative belief, as preparing the way for the
reception of the Maine Law, Ohio is about
all she can be expected TO be and yet, oul
thinking friends fear we are not prepared
/ And in that opinion we suspect they are
right. Now, admitting that the Maine Law
H is proper and consistent with the constitu.
tion Of humanity, what further preparation
iI is there to be realized, or can we expect
Fact and opinion, knowledge and belief
we have-what more can wehave
\ We answer, a TeuiuaL Of the sentiment O
temperance as lioing principle in the heGrt'
H of the people. Here is the root and founda
ton of all temperance reform, and that We
have not If we had it, the cold water re
formation, inspired with force of its own
would move forward and work out its tri.
umphs without the assistance of Legislation
of any kind. In short, in order to be pre-
| pared to carry the Maine Law into effect
we require precisely that state of thing
which will render it unnecessary. Is it no
so, Messrs, Maine Law advocatesH In tht
midst Of all your zeal do you not feel it SO
And is there not, with you, lingering fea
that you are travelling in the wrong di
rection
II the Maine Law we're made the law O
the State to-day, there would be little o
no resistance to its execution, and yet
would not be executed. 1t would not b,
resisted because people believe that whisky
- i IL 4 =