Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-10-03

The MAINE EtEorIoN.-Nuch ado is being
made by the Liquor Leagues, and the oppo-
nents of Prohibition generally, about the re-
suit OF tue recent election in Maine. The sim
pie fact that but one member of the Legisla-
ture OF that State, who voted for the passage
of the Liquor Law, has been reelected, is
held forth as conclusive evidence that the SEN
timents OF the people have undergone an en-
tire change, and the result is regarded as an
Indication that the reign of that Law is over
Grave discussions are had over it, and even
ridlcuie and ribaldry are resorted to uuspa-
ringly, by those who would rejoice at the
downfaii Of a principle so glorious as was in
yolyed in that law. The opposition papers
TEEN with squibs and paragraphs, while the
orators and devotees of the rum interest are in
ecstaces, and anticipate that it must have a
powerful effect upon the coming election in
this State. 1t seems almost cruel in us to
knock away with one blow the beautiful prop
our enemies have thus set up to sustain their
tottering fabric, but the love of truth and the
cause we cherish commands us to do so. In
the first place, then, the question of the repeal
of the present Liquor Law of Maine Was in no
way made issue at the recent election in
that State The issues before the people, and
upon which that election turned, were entirely
distinct from the question of temperance in
any shape. Principles purely political, meas
ures of Importance to the State, and, in some
instances, men rather than measures orprinc-
pies, We're what guided and controlled the peo
pie of Maine during their recent canvass and
at the polls. In their late sublime devotion
to the single cause of prohibition, other mat
ters OF Importance had become somewhat neg
lected, and to these it became necessary to
attend. 1t was not, therefore, policy to re-
turn the same men to the Legislature who had
been originally sent there to carry out q sin
gle object, many of whom, perhaps, We're not
fully calculated to legislate general sub
iects. OF course, also, those men had brought
themselves into odium with the opposers of
the lev, and il was better, under all the cir
cumstauces, that entirely new class should
be selected, and we cannot but applaud the
wisdom of the people of Maine In pursuing
this course. But, as we said before, the ques-
tiou of repeal was in wise an issue at the
election. And then, in the second place, to
break the prop in pieces after having pulled
it down, the very men who have been elected
are just as good temperance men as those
Composing the Legislature which created the
present law. We have this on the most relia-
ble authority. They even claim to be better
men, and stronger advocates of the cause oil
TEMPERANCE They avowed these sentiments
openly, before and during the canvass, ana on
such ayowal received the advocacy and sup
port of the people and were elected. How alb
surd then. to claim the result OF that election
as a triumph of the anti-Maine law meni 1t
is completely falsfying the record, and bull
ding a structure the rottenest foundation
imaginable. If our opponents can bring 10
bear no better arguments, no truer facts than
these, they must indeed feel that their cause
is hopeless. Wetrust that our friends through
ont the State will give the EXTREMIST publicity
to this true version of the case. and thus coun-
teract what little evil may have been done by
such perverted statements.