Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-23
The Ant1-Liquor Law in Maine.

We have published so much clear and ir-
REPUTABLE testimony, demonstrating the falsi- Il
ty and reckIessness of the assertion made by 81
John Neal, the Editors of theNew York Post O
and Boston Transcript, that the Maine Liquor n
Law wassa failure in that State, and that 0
more liquor was sold and drank in The City II
Of Portland and the State Of Maine generally, c
than previous to its enactment-we say, we
have given so much evidence so strongly dis |
proving these allegations, that it isalmost the 9
work of superogation to publisher any more.
But as the North Carolina Editors who have
published these falsehoods seem not to be
sufficiently convinced to induce them to cor
rect the false impressions they have been the
means of making, we submit the following,
and ask if it is not their duty to lay these
facts before their readers:
In the first place, then, as to the allega-
ton that more liquor is drank in Portland
now than heretofore, four hundred and forty
business men of that city have signed a GER
tifcate, Of which the following is the closing
paragraph:
"If these statements had been published
and circulated only in this city and State, we
should not feel called upon to notice them.
But having been circulated abroad to the in.
jury OF the reputation of our city and State
and in a manner calculated to work serious
mischief, we feel it our duty to unite in say
ing-asw we do in the most unqualified terms
that we deem these and all similar state
ments, as most grossly and palpably errone-
Gus and unIounded. That they are CHROME
Gus and unfounded must be manifest, to eve
ry candid and unprecedented citizen of our
city, not only from the apparent condition of
things, but from that very sure test as to the
existence of intemperance, the records of
pauperism and crime. We deem it proper
to add that the personal position which most,
| or all of US occupy, in regard to the practical
business and pursuits of this city, enables US
to speak in this matter from actual personal
knowledge Of facts"
In addition to this, we give the following
letter from the Rt. Rev. GEORGE BURGESS
i Bishop OF the Protestant Episcopal Church fol
: the Diocese of Maine; and surely no one vii
call in question his statements. Read anC
T be convinced that Prohibition is the grea
5 agency that has brought about the happy re
= suits referred to:
GARDINER, Me. August %, 1853.
@ Reverend and Dear SIR: To your querie
l. / reply briefly, in their order.
Ie @. l Did this prohibitory law original
" in the schemes of politicians for other purpC
/. ses, or did it stand in the Legislature upo
% its own merits ~
i A.. | have very little knowledge of the o.
le Grafton of politicians amongst us and, III
G. doubtedly, individual leaders or others, men
IS bers of parties, may have been influenced /
lg their political interests in sustaining or O
IS posing this measure. But | suppose tina
beyond all question, the law originated vii
a. persons who were solely concerned for tt
ve suppression of intemperance and that
of was passed because it was believed to be d
is manded by a great majority of the peopl
d. for it's own merits.
~ @. 2. elias it justified the expectation
entertained of it by its friends at the time
p- its passage?"
to A. What were their actual expectations,
elf cannot venture to say but every r~easonat
le, expectation must have been more than sat
a fed: Whatever Asgoi is p in the &l PRREafer 9afft 4 z n5eh ]
ry verify or inquisitorial scrutiny, this law h
by generally, in my opinion, accomplished.
Those who are bent upon obtaining lou
can and do succeed; but it has ceased to
an article of traffic it has ceased to prese
any open temptation the young are col
10 paratively safe and all the evils of pub
" vi hhiHp IOucCS dlu UIFS removed, GOgoLO
y with the interest of a large body of men
ice upholding them for their own pecuniary {
ere vantage.
rit z. 3. " llave there been any reactions
public opinion, so as to induce the belief IL
Tn at a future day it might be repealed ?"
eve A. In my opinion, quite the contrary.
of Should the law be repealed, which seems
III the highest degree improbable, it will be
result merely of political arrangements /
ere L do not believe that any political pal
the would venture on a measure so hazardous
est its own prospects. Undoubtedly many d
we Greet and conscientious persons saw stro
objections to some features of the law, a
~ still feel their force. But multitudes W
'ur doubted the expediency of adopting it, woul
ers believe regret and resist its repeal.
NV q. 4. Has the law been generally exec
ted, and the amount of intoxication be
- speedily diminished in the State in con
pa quence ?"
re- A. The law has been I believe. genera
,ur executed though not every where w
a equal energy; and the amount Of intoxi
~ ton has been, in consequence, most evide
per ~, strIkingly, and even, | think l may 81
we wonderfully diminished,
rds 2. 5. Has the health, wealth, morali
- and general prosperity Of the State been
F" pareEt!y promoted by it?"
ia A. Unquestionably.
q. =. Has the law been found in it's
Grafton to he oppressive to any citizens
gnilty of it's violation"
a. So far as | know not in the least.
In thus answering your inquiries, l wo
at avoid everything like the intrusion ofan or
list ION respecting the practicability or wisd
IN Of such a measure elsewhere. | never
80 peared here as its public advocate; and
not blind to such arguments as may be ur
avs against legislation which, though it is pc
llariy humane IL its operation upon persc
ely, y y 50 sweeping with reference to things
= for the practical working of the law
Ilns believe that to every family in Maine it is
more value than can easily be computed.
am, very faithfully,
Your friend and brother.
!" GEORGE burgess.
and Rev. G. W. ANDREWS. D. d,