New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-03
must abandon the vague commonplsces which

must abandon the vague commonpsces which
have hitherto been their stock in trade, and
LAY some attention to the solid facts and the
positive truths on which the Temperance cause
has its stand, and by virtue of which the Pro-
hbitory Law has been brought into existence.
When they shall do this their disqui,itous may
have a value meanwhile they are bat the
tragedy of Hamlet with Hamlet lefs out.
These meetings, whether Of the frie ais of IL
quor or ofliquor seller, afford, without .ny such
design on toe part of their authors, a striking
evidence of the vitality and force of the Law
they detest and decry. So far as tlis City is
eoncer1ed that law is practically abrogated.
The Counsel for the Corporation declares that it
does not apply to imported liquors; and though
Chi, Justice Tauey and the Supreme Court OF
the United States are Of contrary opinion,
still the Mayor, walking with scrupuous
care by the light of mis- Official lawyer,
ard stunning with delicate sens blity the ex-
ercise Of any doubtful powers, has NJ
choice but 10 obey the Counsel, aud give
the most boundless license to whomsoeyer
chooses to turn an honest penny by demOralizing
and debaucbing bis neighbors. Not only the
Prohibitory Law, but all other law respecting
the sale of liquor is thus set aside by the Mayor
and bis adviser. Under this regime the grog-
shops are protected and favored to degree
without precedent; and it would seem that the
lovers of Liquor should hold meetings 10 render
up thanks for the abundance, cheapucss, and ln-
equsled facility OF procuring that great necesss-
ry Of life, rather than to denounce law nomi-
nally intended to prevent their procuring it
at ALL But still there remains the fact
that this absurd and nulliie1 law does
occupy a place on The statute book-that the
majority OF the people are earnestly in favor of
giving it fair and thorough trial-lnd that
though by egal chicanery and official coDniyance
it may now be temporarily set aside, 1t Is yet
destined to an active and serious enforcement
Ii il thus not against the la as 1t now IL, but
ss twill be hereafter that the friends of q1or
direct their demonst STATIONS, and tie liquor
yetders organize associations, raise fusds, and
even propose, though quite needlessly we link,
TO appear in the political arena as jolly and
Independent party. OF the law as nov al ain
isiered in New-York they have no cause to
complain; but the principle is justly hated by
them and justly feared. 1t is great and strong
principle and the business of dram-selling is
doomed to fall before it.
1t is the assertion of this principle by the law
which cautes us specially to rejoice at the APP
D, zach of to- morrow. We know that in many
localities at least the statute will MT be OBJ
served, and that drunkenness will for time
prevail with desdlier effect than ever We
know that the appointment of this day for Pro-
hibition to take effect was an nsidiOus device of
the enemy; but yet it is great and cheering
thing that the pIiaciple should receive so solemn
and significant recognition. 1t will in due
time receive aid if its friends do all their duty.
And to them we can address no more fit
ting words than recently appeared III our
columns from the pen of an eminent and
faithful advocate of Prohibition, now
temporarily absent in Europe. " Cham
"ptns Of Temperance in America 80 writes
Mr.. Greeley from Lyons" and especially
" in Ncw-York be entreated to listen to
" no compromise to be satisfied with no success
" short OF the complete Introduction of the
" traffic in intoxicating Dribks. Better strug-
" gle twenty years longer than be lulled into
" inactivity by delusiye and baseess triumph.
Under the most rigid Introduction there will
" always be drinking enough, just as other vices
Z" flourish in spite of the laws which resist
" them-just as crimes are committed in spite
" Of the penalties which are denounced against
"them-but We must triumph OF last if we do
not ruin our cause by compromise. We can
be beaten only by a cry that, while we deny
" the poor man his grOg, we allow the rich man
" his wine; and this we must preclude at all
" events. Our most arduous labor is achieved,
" for the majority is now with US; the law has
" declared for us; and we have now to meet
" only the dying 1urres of the liquor traffic
"and the sophistical bubbles of its well-feed
" attorneys. These will Of course do all that
" money can buy or ingenuity suggest; but
" there is an end to the longest rope, and theirs
" will all be paid out within the next two or
" three years at furthest. Revolutions go not
" backward, and where gambling and lotteries
" now are, theTe-under the immoyable and
"potent ban Of the law-the liquor traffic is,
land shall remain. Grudge not, then the
" efforts needed to render our triumph perfect
" and immutable ="
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