Smyrna times., 1855-10-10
Much Ado about Nothing The Maine
Election,


Much ado is being made by the LIQUOR
Leagues, and the opponents of Prohibition ccn-
rally, about the result of the recent election in
Maine. The simple fact that but one member
OF the Legislature Of that State, who voted for
the passage of the Liquor Law, has been re-
elected, Is held forth as conclusive evidence
That the sentiments of the people have under
gone an entire change, and the result is re-
garded as an indication that the reirn of that
law Is over. Grave discussions are had over it..
and even rldicule and ribaldry are resorted to
unsparngly' by those who would rejoice at the
downfall OF principle so glorious as was in
volved in that law. The opposition paners
teem with squlbs and paragraphs, while the
orators and devotees of the rum interest are in
ecstacIcs, and anticipate that it must have -
powerful effect upon the coming election in
this State. IL seems almost crueI in nc ,o
Knock away with one blow the beautiful pror
our enemies have thus set up to sustain their
tottermg fabric, but the love of truth and tho
cause we cherish commands us to do Tn tbo
hrst place, then, the question of the rcpcal
OF the present Liquor Law Of Maine WAS in NO
way made an issue at the recent election in
That State. The issues before the people. and
upon which that election turned, were cntiraIv
distinct from the question OF temperance in anv
shape. Principles purely political, measures of
Importance TO the State, and, in some instances
men rather than measures or principles, were
what guided and controlled the people of Naino
during their recent canvass and at the polls.-
In their late sublime devotion to the siurIo
cause Of prohibition, other matters of imnor-
tahce had become somewhat neglected, and TO
these 1t became necessary to attend. II WAS
not, therefore, policy to return the same men to
the Legislature who had been originally sent
there to carry out a single object manv of
whom, perhaps, were not fully calculated 10
legislate on general subjects. Ofcourse. also
those men had brought themselves in:o ojlu,n
with the oPposers OF the law, and it was better
under all the circumstances. that an optiroI,
new Class should be selected, and we cannot
Iut applaud the wisdom of the people Of Maine
m pursuing this course. But, as we said he
ore, the question Of re eal was in no wise p n
ssue at the election. And then, in the second
'Iace' to break the prop in pieces after having
pulled 1t down, the very men who have been
erected are just as good temperance men as
hose composing the Legislature which created
he present law. We have this on the most
elIabe authority. They even claim to be bet.
er men, and stronger advocates Of the cause
II temperance. They ayowcd chcse sentiments
'Penly, before and during the canvass. and ON
uch avowal received the advocacy and support
II the people, and were elected. How absurd
hen, to claim the result of that election as
riumph Of the antj-Maine law men! Il i |
omplctcly talsifying the record, and building
structure on the rOttcnest foundation iioari-
able. If our opponents can bring to bear no
etter arguments, no truer facts, than these
hey must indeed feel that their cause is hone.
'ss. We trust that our friends throughout the
tate will give the EXTREMIST publicity to this
rue version of the case, and thus counteract
hat little evil may have been done bv sucb
erVcrted statements.-IhiEa. Sun.