Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-29
For THE SPIRIT OF The AGI
Reform on the Liquor Traffic.

A short time ago, the good people of Maine,
in view of the evils of intemperance, and
moved by the purest patriotism and philan-
thropv. resolving to save those who were un-
willing or unable to save themselves, passed
law prohibiting entirely the traffic in in
toxicating liquors except for medicinal or
mechanical purposes" This had the desired
effect. For no sooner was the enchanter re-
moved and the people aroused from their
death-like slumbers, than even the poor sots
themselves, rejoicing in conscious freedom,
FASTENED to expel the common enemy and re-
store their fellow-victims.
The light of this reformation soon extend |
ed to the neighboring States, then travelling
on South and west, carrying with it health,
; cheerfuIness, plenty and enlightened free
5 dom. it has reached the Old North State"
and she, with her accustomed prudence,
n seems ''halting between two opinions" But
o may we not hope, as in the case of signing
. the Constitution, that she will soon step forth
q with "plight of hand and heart" to receive
! the g Reform" and to place it with the I'm
ion, nearest her heart.
Now, we admit that innovations are dan
} gerous, and that too many laws bespeak
|. bad state Of affairs but we are opposed to
h that bedoer progress which says he who fol-
; lows the footsteps of his sres docs well,
: acts nobly; Angels can do no more" Prog
? ress implies change. And we are for having a
nj the unnecessary sJart 9f the F6iIoT Jd5k5U
=, away as venerable relic of the " times that
I'll tried mems souls"
ne Let us examine the case fairly "A Judge
TO Of the Supreme Court has decided that ht
Maine Liquor Lao is not unconstitutional.
What are our Legislatures for? Are they
y not to protect the citizens whom they repre-
as sent from injury? And what, l ask, II
he +bop thic T,iunor TraffIc2-
I'VE Do they not legislate on thieving, gaming
at. aud other evils? And
"Can they the felon fox restrain,
@ And yet take off the tigers chain! p
Have they not shown their power to legi
late in enacting the License Law? II the
00o can restrict, they can prohibit. But they sa
!. it restricts our natural rights. And do "
Weld none of our natural rights to the good
our country? Do we not sacrifice our hou
O es to save burning city? Ii we convey
contagious pestilence from toreISn ian
, |. the law guards ourselves, takes charge OF O.
" vessels, or even sinks them in the sea. Al
ares shall we be licensed to land with car
to more deadly than the plague of the East
| cholera of the South Were we true pat
e. OTIS. we would sacrifice dearer offerings tn
nave the cherished viper that poisons our nels
Men bors, and fixes its pangs even IN the bos
INC of its preserver. -.
lmS' The Maine Liquor Law, then, is consti
OeeI' tional; it destroys only poison and lille
With nronerty It does not interfere with y
/ the eating aud drinking-it strikes only at
? Is root-dries up the source-says you m
evil not SELL; it destroys useless ana sintnl
such ln'ss'.as cnrlstianlty uoe5 WIN ;1InoI ino
And naAGr Spaoo ~ otbar n :. ory;nr OWLS
g re- deprives us of no natural right which pr
dence OF would not willingly resign; it prot
Mt IS those who cannot protect themselves; it
moral not prevent supply of alcohol for mech
h the cal and other useful purposes. The pc
play are ready 1Gf "as rgauy @ tbe Imey ydrnut rrO
ne in I e,i e.. n =. ia 4 ue,st noss dasn;ta the
IN the of sellers and one-borse' wagoners.
q aris- REFORI