Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-31
TEL ?. THOMPSON, Editor
TOTAL PROHIBITION.

TOTAL PROHIBITION.
The Maine Law is now in operation in all the
New England States, with the exception Of New
Hampshire, and in several of the Middle and
Western States and it becomes question of
general interest how far it can be executed, and
how far it will go towards the suppression of the
giant evil of Intemperance.
After many years observation Of the work
ings of the different laws that have, from time
to time, been in vogue to suppress the common
use Of ardent spirits as beverage, our present
system included, we have deliberately come to
the conclusion that no efficient remedy has yet
been obtained, or ever will be obtained, short of
total prohibi ton and that, consequently, even
the Maine Law, the great panacea of the day,
as much superior as it is to any of its predeces-
sors. and as much good as it is obviously doing,
still falls far short of tho great object in view
that of the entire removal of the great
curse of spirit-drinking from the country
Even in Maine, where this law originated,
and where it has been the most thoroughly ex-
ecuted, it does not, as we have been convinced,
from the aggregate testimony of its best
informed practical friends there, suppress
more than fifty per cent of the drinking and
can it be reasonably expected to accomplish any
more elsewhere! We fear it cannot The trou-
BILE with that law is, that it is but halfway
measure, and in being so, involves inconsistent
cies which greatly detract from its moral force.
1t licenses the sale fquors for special purposes,
thus not only retaining part of the traffic for the
specified purposes, but, as society is now consti-
tuted, necessarily opening the door to false pre-
lenses, subterfuges and frauds, in obtaining liq-
. uor in connection with that part of the traffic
which will probably always more than double
the amount actually needed Or sought for these
purposes. And while it treats all other traffic
as criminal, it assumes this to be harmless, thus
throwing sort of sanction over the whole traffic,
or at least making distinction in the sale and
use of spirits which the masses will not com
prehend. And besides these objections to this
part of the law, the licenses granted under it
will always lead to eart-burnings, the charges
of monopoly. and opposition to the whole law
among disappointed applicants and would-be
dealers which will greatly obstruct its general
enforcement.
Now, if the suppression of half the traffic is
great moral triumph, will not the suppression
Of the whole of it be a greater one7
Certainly but how would you effect it say
the friends of temperance. We would effect it
by a law TOTALLY PROHIBITING THE SALE OF AR
in ether words, preventing, by the most strin-
gent law, every drop of the article from coming
into the State. But could this be done! ask
the same DIRECTORS. In reply, We say, that we
honestly believe such law could be better and
more easily enforced than the present law with
its doubtiu distinctions and difficulties Of exc
cution. The rich and poor would then all fare
alike. The cry of unfairness, or monopoly in
the sale, would cease. Many of the constitu-
tiohal objections now urged against the law
would be at an end and great proportion Of
those who now oppose the law would be thus
dlsarmed of their opposition, and soon quietly
fall into an acquiescence or support Of the mca-
sure.
But is not Alcohol, in some of its prepara-
tions indispensable for medical and mechanical
purposes again ask the directors. No-not in
either, we contend The use Of spirits in med
icine, which, as now applied we believe does
more hurt than good, could easily be supplied
by the essences or other substitutes of equal
efficiency with alcohol. The water-cure practi
TONERS, who are admitted to be highly success
full in the cure of diseases, wholly repudiate thu
use of spirits in their practice, and if they car
succeed without spirits in that system, the reg
ular faculty certainly ought to in theirs. Ant
in regard to the use of alcohol for mechanical
purposes, substitutes, we believe, might as east
ly be found, in articles already known, for ever.
use except, perhaps, solvents for shelac, wher
alcohol is probably the most indispensable. Blu
let reward of $1,000 be offered for as good
solvent Of shellac as alcohol, and our word 70
it, such solvent would soon be Forthcoming.
Thus appear to us the Deficiencies of the pres
ent Maine law-thus the reasons why it will
never but partially accomplish the great ohtec
Of suppressing the crying evils of intemperancc
and thus,one by onc,sink away the objections t
striking out boldly at once for TOTAL PRoHlB
TON We are fully prepared to go for it, bot
by precept and example. Who is prepared t
follow' Ponder ye this, all who are really d,
sirous of banishing spirit-drinking from til
land--pqnder it, and see if such thing is nc
possible and if possible. think how great an
glorious the object that should incite you
action and union for its accomplishment.