Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-09-08
Volume XVIII.
THE GREAT DEBATE ON THE MAINE
LAW.
CoLuMpus, AUG. qs. Ia5s

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large number of ladies and gentlemen
assembled in the southwest corner of the
State House yard, where ample arrange.
ments had been made to accommodate
the audience. The question for debate
is stated as follows:
"Would such law as the so-called
Maine Law be consistent with the natu.
raj and constitutional rights of our citi-
zens, and would its enactment as a law
of Ohio tend to promote the cause Of
morality and religion, and the prosperity
and happiness of the people?"
DR.. Charles Jewett, of Massachusetts,
appeared, to support the affirmative Of
this proposition, and G. J. Beebe, Esq,
of New York, appeared as an advocate
of the negative.
The Moderators were DIR. Robert
Thompson, on the part of the afirma-
tive, and Esq. W. T. Martin, for the
negative.
Two secretaries were chosen.
Mr.. Beebe opened the discussion in a
speech of one hour. He said, we have
met to discuss a question in which we
are all interested. 1t is proper that we
do this carefully, calmly, and deliberate
ly. Three quarters of a century ago,
our forefathers declared themselves in
dependent of the monarchy of Great
Britain. We declared that we were all
equal-that we were entitled to say
through our representatives what laws
should govern US. The people are ca
pable of self government.
He then proceeded to apply the prin-
ciples of the Maine Law to these general
principles. No one should have the
right to say what we should eat or
drink. No one yet proposes to limit us
in our eating. If the Grahamites get
numerous and powerful, perhaps they
will attempt to regulate this matter
We have right tc eat and drink what
ever we see proper. The tyrants Of the
old world do not attempt to interfere
with the sale and drinks of their people.
The brutes eat and drink what they
think proper. People will rebel if any
such restrictions are placed upon them.
England attempted to restrict the
spirit trade once, and, after much trouble
and expense, Parliament enquired into
it, and they found greater amount of
liquor had been consumed than before
the enactment of the law, and the law
was repealed in two years. He referred
to McCuIlock's Dictionary for authority.
Patrick Henry said he knew of no lamp
to guide his feet but that of experience,
and by this rule we should know that
such law will not be sustained by the
free people of this country, where every
man claims to be equal to every other
man in rights.
He then read the question which had
been agreed upon: Would such law
as the Maine law be consistent with the
natural and constitutional rights of our
citizenss He defined the natural rights
of man. That every one in his natural
state has right to eat and drink what
he pIeases. The declaration ofindepen-
dence secures these natural rights to our
people. He then examined whether the
constitution of Ohio authorized the pas
sage of law like the Maine law
Where, in the constitution, is the power
given to the Legislature to judge of our
meats and our drinks? It is not in it.
And he asked his opponent to point it
out if it is there. The constitution de-
clares that no license shall be granted,
but the Maine law proposes to license
some one to sell liquor in every town.
ship. He referred to the bill of rights
of Ohio. The Maine liquor law will Vi
olate eight sections Of the bill of rights.
LIST. All men are free and independent,
and If 50, who has the right to say what
he shall eat and drink. By it every
man has a right to raise apples, make
cider, make brandy, and drink it.
Cd. The right of trial by jury shall be
inviolste, The Maine law says, the jury
shall be packed, shall all be friends of
the Maine law. By the law, the jury
man must swear that he has not violated
the law. This, he thought, would make
iurymen scarce.
Sd. Churches celebrate the sacrament
by eating bread and drinking wine
The 7th article of the bill of rights says,
all men have a right to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of their con-
science. The Legislature shall pass
laws to protect esery religious denomina-
ton. The Maine law prohibits the sale
of wine for sacramental purposes, and
thus it violates the religious rights of the
churches, who use wine in the sacra-
ment.
4th. Section says excessive bail shall
not be required, or excessive fines i'm
posed. The Maine law fines the farmer
$500 who makes cider, and permits it to
become hard cider.
5th. An impartial jury is secured to
all by the bill Of rights. The Maine law
does not allow such jury.
9Th. The house of citizen shall be
inviolate from search, DC. The Maine
law allows persons upon suspicion to
search houses for the purpose Of finding
liquor on the premises. This search is
unreasonable, and a clear violation of
the bill of rights.
7th. Section 19 says private property
shall ever be inyiolate. The Maine law
takes property without any excuse of
pnblic necessity and destroys it. No
compensation in money is proposed, as
the bill requires.
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