The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-19
APPETITE FOR sTIMULANTs-POLICY OF
PROHIBITION.

monstrous absurdity."
| APPETITE FOR sTIMULANTs-POLICY OF
PROHIBITION.
| A Prohibitory Liquor Law has been enacted
in all the free States, except New Jersey, Penn
| sylvania, California, and Wisconsin In New
Jersey, a bill was recently carried in the House,
but lost, by one majority, in the Senate. In
Pennsylvania, a bill has passed the Legislature,
to suppress the license system. The Wiscon-
sin Legislature passed bill twice, but twice it
was vetoed by the Governor. In California, a
strong movement is on foot to secure similar
act. Delaware, we believe, is the only slave
State which has ventured on the measure.
1t was thought at first, by many who ques-
toned the policy, that it was the result of q
spasmodic effort of the Public Mind, and could
not endure-but, thus far, the Sentiment, of
which it is the offspring, gives no signs of ex-
haustion. On the contrary, it seems TO gather
strength every year, and there can be no doubt
now that the Policy will be fully tested in all
the free States, and in not few of the slave
holding.
Whatever may be speculative opinion, as to
its ultimate efficacy, why should not all good
citizens unite to give it fair trial? 1t is right
to insist that, after all it is not the only or in
fallble remedy for the evil of Intemperance-
that to reach and eradicate the principle of
this, we must subject human nature to the dis
cipline of a sound and comprehensive system
Of moral and physical hygiene-but this we can
do, without discountenancing, or interposing
obstacles to, great and popular movement,
noble in its aim, heroic in its self-denial, and
in itself at once illustrating and Strengthening
the moral energies of the masses.
The New York Ercning Post, commenting
upon the causes that breed intemperance, re-
marks:
"These habits Of living characterize all classes
of our population, the poorer equally with the
more wealthy. The desire for stimulants of
some kind or other becomes, with those who
are brought up on them, second nature. 1t
is not to be wondered at that you find many
drunkards among them, and that some of them
rush into habits of intoXication with procliv-
ity which nothing seems able to restrain. All
the legislation in the world levelfed against
strong drinks will not put an end to these
habits, or prevent men from contracting that
craving for stimulants which is their certain
result"
Because Legislation cannot do everything,
it is no reason that it should do nothing. 1t
may remove some of the most fruitful causes
of drunkenness-and ought it not to try?
We recolect the case of noble man, strong
in every attribute, but the power to reject the
Circean cup, who labored earnestly, indefati-
gably, triumphantly, for the suppression of
grogshops in his city. Why? On his way
home, the tempter appeared at every corner
suggesting thoughts of what he lusted for, but
abhorred, until iron resolve melted in the fire
of a raging appetite "Lead me not into
temptation" was his motto, and the principle
that lay at the bottom of his efforts against the
retail. of Intoxicating liquors. 1t is easy to
say that no legislation could cure the vice of
his nature, but none knew better than himself
that legislation would supply aid to his man
hood, and strip the enemy against which he
struggled, of its most formidable allies.
The remoral Of temptation is the great prin
ciple Of Prohibition.
Now, admit-what we by no means con-
cede-that it should fail to cure or even ma;
gate Intemperance in the case of single indi
didual, no one can question its efficacy as q
preventive measure. Prevention is easier than
cure. Prelimipa r\ral training will restrain
the growth if suffered to take
root and 81 the keepers sleep,
may defy !, prevention is to
be sought, n ghtening the moral
sense, Strengthening The moral nature, provi-
ding reasonable employment for the faculties
and suitable qualification for the natural wants
of man; and, secondly, by lesseaingthe tempta
ton to acrOng, to the undue Indulgence of ap
petite or passion. In the common relations
and affairs of life, we continually resort to
this preventive policy, endeavoring to remove
temptations to fraud, to overreaching, to pecu.
lation, to regeneration, to corruption, in the
intercourse, whether of relationship or business.
between ourselves and others.
The facilities with which strong drink NAV
be obtained, the attractive accompanid
the Restaurant, the delicious fax
preparations, have more to do with
aoStuie vi uIuhhitrus, tnan our " DadHS
living" generally. The laborer, on bis WA
home, might not think of relieving his weari.
ness by liquor, did not the tempter stand
in his way, and beckon him to enter: home
enjoyments would suffice for all the wants of
his nature. The professional man, seeking a
change of excitement, the merchant. exhausted
by his anxieties and labors, the young man.
longing for society, theid and loafer. and At
every turn, some 10 laRt, where every art
is piled to ma Ok luxury. until
at last it BED hy These retail
liquor shops are = ~ Intemnerance.
Men drink, because e6sy to get dram.
and the dram is administered so pleasantIv
The dram concocter and seller cultivates the
tastes, that INDUCED, make the inebriate.
AT one blow, break up the whole system of
liquor dealing, as now carried on, abolish the
groggerisSr}st men, in their daily occupations
and exempted from all artificial
temp fosg drink, and it is EASY to
see hol kssefthe Incorporate must be
thinned d flesh recruits. The hun
dreds of ands who now drink not from
the force morbid appetite, but Just be-
cause ti| I'm is accessible, pleasant, and
social, would not take the trouble to buy liouors
at wholesale, and keep them in their houses o.
~