Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-04-14
pnonrnrroRY Llauon LAWS.

PROHIBITORY LIQUOR LAWS.
The progress Of the principle of entire prohibition,
or Of making the sale Of sprituous or intoxicating
liquors penal and criminal, is such as to crafty
the feelings Of is most ardent supporters In the
following States and Territories, prohibitory laws
have been enacted aud are or will soon be, in full
force Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts,, Rhode
Island, Couneclicu, New York, Ohio, Michigan,
Iowa, and the territory Of Minnesota. In Wiscon-
sin similar law was enacted by the Legislature
and submitted to the people, which latter act was
pronounced by the supreme Court, unconsttution-
al. The last Legislature Of that stAte twice passed
acts for the purps Of prohibition, but, in both Gu
ses they were vetoed by the Governor. 1t New
Hampshire, New Jersey, & Maryland like acts have
passed the popular branch Of the Legislature but
have been defeated in the other. In Pennsylvana-
mia prohbitory liquor bill passed. both branches.
but failed by reason Of disagreement between the
two Houses on some Of the minor details
Nine States aud one Territory have thus enacted
prohibitory laws. The question has failed in four
States through Legislative disagreement. 1t has
been submitted to the people and retained by them
in four other States. It has nowhere been repealed
by legislative action, though II has been four times
set aside by the judiciary and, in one instance
Rhode l-nnd--re-enacied in a modified form, while
in Massachusetts and Maine its provisions have
been made more stringent
Such Is the present condition Of Legislative action
on the subject Of prohibition. From every indica-
ton We observe. il seems evident tina; the time is
East approaching when every Northern state will
adopt the principle Of prohibition. The ultimate
results Of this policy. its permanent effect Upon the
industry, prosperity and happiness Of community,
aud operation in the elimination Of pauperism and
crime. cannot b, fully determined for some years
to come. nor until every state shall have come into
the arrangement Much good will be undoubtedly
done by the closing Of grog-shops, aud other pla-
ecs whore intoxicating drinks have been sold indis-
eriminatcly, and Of qualities the most detostable.
On the other had II is uadeniable that In many Of
those states. whirc the sale Of such liquor is male
penal. many rn.rc individuals than was formerly
the case, now keep liquors constantly on hand and
In larger quantities, some Of whom, we have reas-
to believe u1e the srtele with much less diserm-
ination than they wont TO do. 1t ia true that
when prohibition becomes universal ibis practice
may subside. II may also be the means Of inaict-
ing untold evils many o. the rising generation
who would Otherwise have been exempted from such
rntowarl Influences.
/ In our opinion the creates; danger to be appre-
hended in the existing condition Of the temperance
movement, is the building up Of wall Of partition
between those who are advocates Of stringent
ures and the remaining portion Of the community
Every man who does not fully believe in the inalli-
bity Of a prohibitory liquor law, as a cure FOR all
the evils Of iniempcrance, Is set down as an oppo
nent Of temperance and treated as such. Will,
comparatively little, il any, effort is made to enlist
his services, if he is a temperance man in principle
and practice, in favor Of tho cause which they pro.
fess to have at heart, he is too often denounced by
the strict prohbitionists alien and an enemy
and is treated as such. Instead Of holding out in.
dueements to the young men. just entering upor
the active duties of life, to refrain from indulgence,
in Intoxicating drinks, and of endeavorng. by per.
sonal influence, kindness, and arguments to correct
any such vicious propensity, into which they hay,
from any fallen, this class is met with defiant
looks and words They are told that their source.
of supply will be cut off, and that they will be sub
ected to all the cdum, pains and penalties that thu
laws Of the State can inAct. Human nature nj
once rebels against all such dictation; and when 4
has been resorted to the unfortunate indiv du
al is thereafter beyond the reach of moral influence.
from those who were, to some extent, the cause o
his degradation. lie is without the pale Of al
kindly attentions from such sources.
We would not be considered as the apologists O
those who violate the laws of the Stat, or debas,
themselves by their own indulgence But W,
do think that something more than prohibiiory en-.
actments is necessary to rid the world Of the scourg,
Of iniemperance. Law alone will never make d
community prosperous nor happy, nor moral mol
virtuons Along with it, and to make its operation
successful, we must have religious and moral cul.
ture, and the practise of the virtues and amentie.
of civilized and socialli@. When all these iniluen
J ees are made to work tremendously we may conf.
IDENTIFY look for the dawn of new era in the pre.
} ccssion of humanity.