The Empire County argus., 1854-02-25
coloma. Saturday, February a5, 1854.
MAINE LIQUOR LAW.

We are glad to see petitions flowing into the Lc-
gislature, from all parts of the State asking the
passage of a law similar in its provisions to the
Maino Liquor Law; and we hope they will continue
to pour in until the Legislature takes some action
against the traffic in ardent spirits.
The crisis has arrived in our history as a State,
when it is necessary for the Legislature to interpose
and endeavor to stay, BY stringent legal enactments
this fruitful source Of crime and degradation. All
must admit that ninecen-twentieths Of the crimes
committed in this Countrywide fragrant violations
of the law, and breaches of tho peace arises from
the influence of ardent spirits To the same source
can be traced nearly all the misery and suffering
endured in this land of gold The idea so freely
entertained by many, on their first arrival in this
country, that, owing to the peculiar qualities of the
climate liquor instead Of debiltating added vigor
and life the animal SYSTEM has proved to be fall
lacious and many now find themselves the victims
of intempcrrnce, hopeless and irrctrieyablc, who,
when they first reached our shores, would shuddef
at The pouting influence of a single glass. Thou
sands, too who were habtual drinkers in the older
States, have become in this country confirmed inc
briates, because they were beyond the influences Of
home and friends and separated from the ties which
bound them to virtue, morality and temperance
Were the records Of the graves that so literally dot
the face of this country, fairly and truly written
out were the fatal and collateral causes traced 10
their source it would be found that frghtful pro-
portion of those who have died here have died from
effects produced by the of intoxicating drinks.
Nor is the history of the past the most powerful
reason why our Legislature should act on this SUBJ
ject. The observation of every man tells him that
this evil is growing with growth, and strength
ening with our strength poisoning the life-sprngs
of healthful virtue, and bringing misery and dis
grace upon its victims and their friends The fire.
queney of crimesthe outrageous defiance of the
laws of the landthe dsSracetul scenes and orecies
in cities, speak volumes in favor Of stringent
enactmens, to abatc this as we'll as other noxious
and demoralizing practices,
IF the considerations of humanity y--the wcl-being
and prosperity OF the State and the statistical tho
silent arguments prcsontedby by the mortality records,
should have no weight upon the minds of our Legs-
lators we would ask them, out of respect to the
fair petitioners who sue to be protected from the
PO'tiASASS
of their happiness and rendering their life desoa-
ton, to do something to assuage this bhghtng and
damning curse. 1t is due to them. They have loft
the homes of their chldhoods happy days to follow
the fortunes of their husbands, fathers or brothers
to Tighten by their presence, the cares ard tolls,
the dsappointments and adversities we are all liza
bic to endure. and to cheer them on in that struggle
for wealth for which all of us sought this region
We all feel the humanizing effect they have Lad on
society in this country In contrasting the present
with the more than semi-sayage state we lived in
four years since we must admit the power of
woman in tanning the character of man rendered
crocious from the monomania of gold hunting
Admitting then, as we all must the good influences
they have exerted it is no than justice to hena
that the evil which is blghting their happiness
should be suppressed.