Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-08-23

| lives out of the State, he is called upon to
prove afirmatively his innocence in advance
that he did not intend to violate the law-and
if he fails to prove negative by this strange
law, he is to be deemed guilty man. If his
liquors are held to be forfeited, he is subject
ed to all the cost and expenses of the trial; !;
but if he is acquitted, he RECEIVERS no cost, un-
less the Justice certfes that there was not prob
able cause for the seizure.
The penalties are in all cases without ex-
cepiion, fine and Imprisonment There is no
alterndfice punishment, as in relation to other
criminal offences. However numerous the
mitigating circumsta noes, the court have no
authority 10 award nsrafM punishment.
The judges are not to be trusted, under this
law, neither is the prosecuting officer The
latter has regular salary by law, but in or
der to spur him on to extraordinary diligence
under this new law, he is allowed to pocket
all costs he can obtain on conviction of persons
accused. And this, too, when for prosecut-
ing the worst of criminals aud the most awful
crimes that can be perpetrated, he receives no
extra pay whatever. And the evidence upon
which many convictions are attempted, is
whatl That of some abandoned and loath-
some drunkard-lost 10 manhood and truth
who, to save himself from Imprisonment, is
required to swear the guilt on to some other
man, who may be innocent Of any intentional
delinquency. Docs not this mode of procur-
ing testimony lead men into temptation g.
Ay, and into the commission of perjuru, also,
one of the most infamous offences known to
our laws.
The democratic party are falsely accused
by our inconsistent opponents of being Rum
Party'-and by whom, No party is more in
favor of restraining in all proper ways the tide
of intemperance than the great body of the de-
mocracy of our State. We would do it by
example and precept and wise, judlcious leg
lslative action. We would pass laws which,
while Efficient in the accomplishment of their
object, would command and receive the uni
versal appreciation of an enlightened people,
and commend themselves to our courts and
juries as salutary and wise in their provisions.
Let us not regard the ISLANDERS of our oppo-
nents and their venal phrases. Ii Jesus of
Nazareth could not escape the charge of being
wine bibber, why should we expect to be
exempt from the venom of the traducer.-
Truth is mighty and will assert her suprema-
cy.
As men who love their State and country,
we dare TO meet our opponents and traducers
face to face, and battle for the rights of free
men. As lovers of truth we come to the res
cue before the last vestige of personal liberty
is extinguished among us. We know no prin-
ciple of temperance or christianity to Justify
the abuse of those who may honestly d8er
from us in their opinions, and only claim for
ourselves what we freely award to all men.
\ We want no dram shops or tippling shops
in our midst. On the contrary, we are strong
\ ly in favor of a prohibitory law of just and
equitable and honest character to exterminate
such places and demolsh them as common
nusances, not by the aid of paid spies and
lnformers, but by the conscientious officers OF
the law throughout our State. We want a
good law with rational and common sense pro-
visions, and if We cannot advance in the glo-
rious temperance reform (now rapidly reced-
ing) with such law, never can with any.
A law not having the confidence of the peo-
pie, and so fatally detective as the present one
is far worse than no law at all. 1t brings re.
proach upon a good cause, which it was nom.
nally intended to advance and prosper.
Again ] repeat what | said in the outset
that in the present campaign, you are contend
ing for the first principles Of ciUu goUernment,
and for your Constitutional rights Of life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness. No such
contest has ever before arisen, since we threw
off the calling yoke of British tyranny.
The last legislature enacted other laws
which are unconstitutional and tyrannical, cal
culated to stir up strife and create jealouse'
in the minds of the American people. Blu
having occupied SO much of your time on on,
subject, cannot discuss others, but leave then
to gentlemen who will succeed me.
Judging from the accounts we have receive,
of the action of the people, these Objectionable
laws will soon be changed. An intelligen
people will not long submit to unwise and in
judicious laws. We are descended from
race of men who estimated liberty above al
price; they were willing to hazard their all il
defence of it, and we have not so far degener
ated as tamely and quietly to wear the yoke o
bondage.