Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-18
THE MAINE LAW IN CHINA.

The late news from China contains one singu-
lar itsm-the intelligence of which might be
ermed compulsory Temperance Reform. 1t
will be seen that it is infinitely beyond the
" Maine Law" in strictness, as the penalties of
our law merely extend to money fines, or personal
confinement, while the penalty for the infraction
Of this law, even in private, is the loss Of ones
head We think synopsis of the proelama-
tion of the Chinese Emperor will be found OF
interest to our readers. The Boston Advertiser
contains the following
/" In late China paper we find proclama-
tion forbiddiRg the use of wine, issued BY Va 'g
the eastern prince, who styles himself the Holy
Spirit, the redeener from sickness, the prime
minister of state, and captain general Of tho
army 1t is addressed to all officers great and
small, and to all Of the brothers and sisters
throughout the court and camp. II begins BY
declaring that wine Is q thing that very easily
dissarbs mems minds and fsslings--thst she
heavenly father and great God very much abb
hors drunkenness, and has sent down his sacred
commands forbidding men to drink wins-that
it has been forbidden by the celestial powers,
that he has also himself issued proclamations,
forbidding the practice, &c., &c. He gives mo-
tice that if hereafter any Of them bs found
guilty of drinking wine, they shall be imme-
diatsly beheadod without mercy After anneunc-
ing that he has heard that in the court and
camp there are not few who are fond Of Ii
quor, he concludes his proclamation as fol-
lows -
We therefore, issue this proclamation for the
fourth time, declaring if any, either in the court
or camp, among the imperial relatives, the
princely connections or noble families, whether
marquises or ministers, great or small, officers
and people, brethren or sisters, from the time Of
the date of this proclamation, should indulge
privately in the drinking of wine, it shall be
lawful for those employed about the princely
palace, the generals tent, or other residence,
to seize and bring up the parties for trial, upon
doing which the informer shall be Immediately
elevated to the rank of Minister of State, but
if those employed about the above named places
are afraid, and will not make known the case,
then as soon as the offenders are seized by other
instrumentalities, the said employees shall be
considered as having themselves committed the
offense in question. On the whole, the Divine
law is extremely just, and no matter whether
men belong to imperial relatives, or noble fami-
lies, if they offend, they shall be punished. You
must, therefore, narrowly observe and earnestly
exhort each other, not to let drop Of the for
hidden liquid moisten your lips; for if you dare
to 60 on in your old ways, MS soon as ever the
ofense is discovered, and the parties brought tt
trial, in addition to our beheading the drunkard
in obedience to the imperial decree, as warn
ing to all, we shall also report the iniormer, il
order that he may be promoted to the rank O
Minister Of State, as a reward for his fidelity
but if it be found that any knew of the affair
and would not tell, they shall be treated with
the same punishment a, the guilty party. Be
on your guard, therefore, and do not for the
sake Of moments jollity cause your heads and
your bodies to be disposed in different places
Let all be revercntially obedient and do not op-
pose. A special proclamation.