Smyrna times., 1854-08-02
SMTDNAs DEM0s
TtDMEsDAV, AUGUST 8, 1854.
The Maine Laws Worse Enemies.

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The Maine Laws Worse Enemies. K
wxo are the Maine Laws worse enemies u
Who are doing it the most injuries or, who IL
IRE doing more to hinder its passage. 1t con- e
iists not in open and avowed opposition, de-
clared in every place or position, when they
san find any one to :" blow" out their denunci- !;
ations upon. It Is net with those who are the /,
best practitioners at the bar, or who are the t
nlost vociferous in the praise of Bacchus No, Y
nons of thesei Who, then, are they who
stand in the way of the progress of this moral
reaovationl Z Is it the wealthy mo; it does
not affect them, SO far at least as the use of
liquor is concerned; they have this, in common
with other indulgencies, which wealth can con-
Ter; and when men are not personally concern
ed, In their exertions for or against anything,
they are not generally very strenuous. Are
they the drunkards: the poor, despicable, nerve
less and debasing victims of this vice! No. |
Poor drunken debauchees, who, though once
probably were standing high in the confidence
and esteem of their fellow-men, and, in infiu-
ence and as public benefactors, were pre-emi-
sent, are "mightily fallen regarded as mere
drunken brawlers and scarcely more noticed
iiian the cur. 7 'sa .+ -''
With resolution weakened and destroyed
the man lowered in his own estimation--the
more excessive indulgence of the bottle causes
LIE less attention to be paid to his voice on any
question. Neither of these two classes do we
call the Maine Laws worse enemies There
are many men of influence in the community
who are pretty good at "spouting on the
prevailing vices, reforms, and ct eetGrds of the
LAY, who profess to have little sharper vision,
or a telescope through which they can see
Through the maze and intricaeies of the WIRE
workers in the background, who raise their
toicss-yea, their energies-against this q de-
stroyer of liberty" as they call it. They have
vociferated and ssfrothed," when. descanting
upon this "encroachment upon their rights, -
that they could be led but never driven into
measures. Well, the moose has already been
fastened to the Proboscis of many of them--the
dear people for whom they are sosuiuch con-
cerned about election time, have taken it into
their heads to pass ProhIbitory law, and
they, seeing which way the victory will turn,
array themselves under the banner, and are the
most active pursucrs after the enemy (which has
been put 10 fight. They achieved a signal
victory! This reminds us of an anec6ote o.
Western life. In the Back Woods, among the
early settlers, bears were very thick and dan.
gerous; as they attacked, Unfortunately
inan and beast 1t happened, one night, beai
Got into the cabin Of one of the settlers. The
inan, terrified at such hideous monster, lump
ed upon the cross-beams while Betsy, a perfec
heroine, seized the pan handle, and, after a har,
struggle, left her antagonist lifeless on th,
floor. William, seeing the bear stretched out
jumped down, exclaiming: ".We killed him
We killed him!! Didn't we, Betsya' o4e
These men are not the most dangerous. a
they are satisfied in any water where the pearl
lie 81 1A5e sos a9t --a9 gl<,@N't -|1
The worse enemies of this law, and thos
who will be the most hard 10 conquer. are tn
large and respectable body of people who hav
been brought up In the footsteps of their father
who think that every move to reform is draw
ing them closer in the folds Of viee--every eff0r
to Improve is an innovation on the good moral
and steady habits Of sold times sand, i
fact, that the world is growing worse and wors
every day; and, with the expression, oft re
peated with a deep sigh, '.Times amt as the
use to werei'
These nienare the f" bone and sinew u of ou
country-they move along in quiet way, an
are practical, well-doing and moral-men VIII
give weight and dignity to their class; who
after passing the meridian Of life, can look bac
upon their astcareer, without discovering on
black spot marked by the finger of drunken
hesss and yet they have, all their days, bee
taking what they called a "glass when the
needed it. !"
These are the steady old fellows who Sc
their faces against the law with such detormi
nation. Getting along themselves without
law, they Conceive that every other man ca
do SO, and express not the lsast charity 70
those who cannot govern themselves. rhes
are the ones who will need the ascales" re
moved from their eyes. Thenext thing is, tn
most effectual way to do it This will be mos
effectually done by spreading before them ten
perance prints, and showing them, unequivoca
ly, the truth, justice, and necessity of Prob
bitory Law.
,TEsrERAscE Mass MEErNG.-Don't forge
the "harvest home J." to be held tomorrow /
Prntt's Branch, in this county. Preparation
have been made for an interesting day. NJ
Charlton, from Wilmington, is engaged to b