The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-31

never nas pceu ehaCteu u ui0it ny PVSiiNe"a AA w
than the pretension Of the leaders Of the WING
party in this State, in relation to a temperance
law Never has community been more grossly
deceived nor palpably hoodwinked, blinded,
gulled, cheated or defrauded, than the honest |
and confding anti-lquor people have been with |
the action of the present Legislature. After
promising them law at the polls last fall
after leading them along in the Legislature
with silken cords, until near the close Of the
session, the majority consented to the passage
of bill, but not to take effect until very near
the meeting of the next Legislature. When tn,
wing caucus determined on postponing the ac-
ton of the law from August to Decemh er. the
sincere friends OF the measure hesitat ed in con-
sentiag, bat they were arrogant,.y told they
must take December OF the bill would be de-
feated. Rather than lose the bill-rather
than 80 home to their constituents without
any law to restrict the sale and use of intoxi-
eating drinks-the Maine law members yielded
to the dictation, and swallowed the pill pre-
pared for them We correct this, however, by
stating that one Senator-Myron II. Clark, of
neutrality-suspicious. wing, possessed sufi-
/ Clcut S05dSlIy W ulsCoNCI uLu
though one of the strongest temperance men in
| the Legislature, boldly voted against Decem-
| Der, believing that il was mere trick to stave
| it off until after the next election.
| At the same select wing caucus, when it was
decreed to put off action under the law until
| December, it was also determined, as soon as
| the bill passed both houses, and before the Go
vernon should sign or reject it, to introduce
| another law, submitting the question to the
| people at the next election, whether majority
are in favor ola prohibtory law; and this has
been done, the bill being in the hands Of a com
mittee of the Senate, introduced by Mr.. Dickin-
son, the acknowledged leader in the Legsla-
| ture.
This movement was not expected nor desired
by the friends Of the bill. Can they support
such q proposition, mainly intended to relieve
the present majority from the responsibility
of the law which has passed both houses
Will the large majority elected as temperance
men in the House of Assembly, concur with
the wing caucus, and blindly support the
bill which is shortly to be forced upon them
Having yielded one step, by granting the
wings December instead of August, will they
submit further, and vote this new bill?
The honest temperance men when they as
sembled at Albany, wings and democrats, met
on that platform and no other Their party
preferences were lost sight Of in this great ques
ton Of moral reform. They came together de-
termined to keep it out Of the party politics Of
the day. They fondly hoped and confidently
expected that the great maxim would be pre-
sented to the people of this great State, ire
spective Of any consideration other than that
which legitimately belonged to it, namely, the
Improvement Of the morals of the people.
The wings have lodged around mighty
short corner-have wheeled about and turued
somerset equal to any circus clown in this
matter Of submitting questions to the people.
In 1851 they committed an act, they passed
law,whch the people never asked nor petitioned
for. When implored by the minority to sub
NIT the question of borrowing nine millions
without authority Of the constitutions; oh, then
they did not want to consult the people--thc
people then were not worth consulting. By
obtaining possession of nine millions of money
they could resist all complaints which the peo-
pie might make. A power would then be placed
in their hands SO mighty, SO potent that they
imagined they could override any popular
movement Had these millions been obtained.
the people would have been defed But now,
when prohibitory liquor law can, by any in
Vulnerable host of suppliant petitions praying
that the Legislature may arrest the course of
intemperance, prevent crime, pauperisln and
misery-when tens Of thousands stand ready to
maintain the popular features of such law
why, the wing politicians at Albany dictate the
time, by saying it shall not go into effect until
after another election. and impose the terms
that II shall have no vitality unless a majo-
rity of the votes cast next November shall
thus indicate. VIII the temperance men be
found at the election standing side by side
of rowdies, RUNNERS, shortboys, longboys
melted to any act of desperation by the poi
sOnous drug, and contend with them whether
rum shall be sold or not? Even should the at
tempt be made, what scene would be present
ed in this and every other city! No friend of
the temperance law would be permitted to
reach poll within half block. The Shortboys,
and all sorts of boys, would be found battling
against the temperance men. No, no, the
friends of the law will not vote with the wings
to make it test question at the polls
Why the necessity offorcing the temperance
question into the arena of politics? Why not
permit the friends Of that reform to try the ex-
pertinent as they desired? Having, as they
imagined, sufficient strength in both branches
of the Legislature, composed of both political
parties, why not allow them to commence the
reformation on the first of August? And after,
by force of party drill, putting off the day
four months longer, and until after the election,
why could not the temperance friends have
been allowed the privilege. even then to have
undertaken to carry out the law, without being
nndar tho ala