New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-27
THE DUTY OF TEMPERANCE MEN

After three years Of struggle, we have at length
Prohibitory Liquor Law in our State. 1t has
been operative for nearly four months pastor
would have been but for the conspiracy of Mayors,
Judges, District Attorneys, &c, to embsrrass its
execution and nullify its provisions. This conspir
acy has paralyzed it in this city and 70 some extent
in other portions of the State so that but frac-
ton of its natural good effects have yet been re-
allied. STILL at least these benefits are obvious to
the careful observer:
/. We are freed from the evil, the reproach and
shame Of the License system. Men still sell liquor
as beverage; but they do it in defiance of the
statute-in defiance of the beat exertiOns of the
Legislature and Governor They do it knowing
that their business is condemned By public sen.i-
mept, and that the best portion of the community
most emphatically reprobate it. They do it know
ipp that Justice is on their track AMI with SILVER
ing consciousness that it will surely Oyertake
them They do it saying that the Prohibitory Law
is imperative, unconstitutional and unsustained by
public sentiment; but their acts give the lie to
their words If the act is imperative, why do they
work so hard for its repeal If it is unconstitd-
tional Why wish it repealed An unconstitutional
act is dead-powerless-stil born you might as
sensibly repeal last Winter Their exertions to over
throw il prove it both constitutional and operative,
even in their own estimation. And while they say
it is unsustained by public sentiment, who ever
heard them propose to submit the question of its
continuance or overthrow to direct popular vote
III. Men who sell Liquor are now obliged to
know Well with whom they deal, and take care
that they secure their pay. The law has done col
lectng their debts or enforcing their contracts.
And this circumstance of itself tends to drive men
of substance out of the business and seriously Grip
PIE and restrict the wholesale Liquor Traffic.
Ill The whole Traffic in intoxicating Bey
eraees, except in few rum-ridden localities, is
uIder bonds for good behavior. The tsverus and
"wet groceries" which were formerly scenes of
daily riot and dsns of profane ribaldry, now sell
LIQUOR, if at all, with great secrecy aud circum-
spec,ion. II 'front.' do to have them surrounded
day and night by all the " sOcs Of Belial' in the
township, as they formerly We're with inpunity.
The keeper puts bis liquor down cellar, behind
close partition, or in some sort of ccal.hoI., and
tells his thirsty customers that they must drink
ard 70 quietly away or be will have To stop sell
irs Thus time is sa7ed quarrels prevented, and
the evil consequences of tipping greatly dimin
ished.
". Drunkards obtain liquor far less freely and
frequently than they formerly did. Even the rum
sellers admit that more should not be sold to
n. an who has had enough'-thus doubling on their
II sck and repudiatng their favorite idea of Moral
suasion " Not even Judce RroWu hAs yeu.urei
to pronounce invalid 20 much of the act forbids
and Furnishes sales Of Liquor to drunkards. The
consequences Ne peace, competence and cOmpsrs-