Smyrna times., 1855-06-27
From the London Times, May 3lSt.
Maine Liquor Law Movement in Eng
land,

OHileu hlHSdom Alliance was held III the large
room of Exeter Hall, which was crowded to
excess, there being between 1000 and 5000 per-
sons present.
Sir w. c. Trevelyan, who occupied the chair,
having briefly stated that the object of the al
lance, which was for the total and immediate
Legislative suppression of the traffic in all in
toxlcating beverages
The Earl of Harrington moved:
"That it is neither right nor polite for the
State to afford legal protection and sanction to
any traffic or system that tends to increase
crime, to waste the national resources, TO cor
rupt the social habits, and to destroy the health
and lives of the people. That the traffic in in
toXlcatlng liquors, as common beverages is ip-
lmcal TO the true interests of individuals, and
destructive of the order and welfare of society,
and ought therefore to be prohibited
I The noble Earl SAID that the present move
ment which had originated in the State of
Maine, formed an epoch in our history it was
| the most important law ever passed at any
time or in any cOuntry. Hear, hear.l He
would not except Magma Charta, the law that
put stop to African slavery, or the law which
gave freedom Of the press to 100000, 900 Brit
lsh subjects. He contended that the Maine
Law contained the elements of all that was
good. Hear, hear. Eleven of the American
States, occupying an area of 442,000 square
miles, and containing population of 8, 100000
were actually under that law, and there could
be no doubt that very shortly the whole Amer-
can empire would adopt it also. [Cheers.l
The object of the law to was prevent the sale
OF alcoholic liquors; it did not prohibit the use
of them. lie (the Earl of Harrington) was for
preventing the distilation of sprituous liquors,
except tor medical, chemical and certain manu.
featuring purposes The sale of beer in pub
llc ho1ses he would prohibit, but he said this
with no feeling of hostility to publIcans, who
were as good as other people, He wished them
to prosper, but wished them to prosper for the
advantage ofthe people, without selling poison.
Loud chrcering
Alderman HARRISON, of Wakefield, seconded
the resolution.
Mr.. Foster, publican, moved the following
amendment amid great tumut:
That this meeting, fully recognizing the
advantages of temperance, and regarding it as
a moral and religious duty which should be
lnculcated by argument ard upheld by exam
pie, is ofopiniOn that any attempt to enforce it
by enactlng prOhibltOry laws, is unwise and
lmpolItIc, calculated to be productive of great
inconvenience and an unjustifable interference
with the liberty Of individuals, which ought to
be sacred from such an intrusion
Mr.. X. Nicholson, proprietor ofthe Coal-hole
Tavern, said, he willingly seconded the amend
ment, believing 1t to be one of great public
utility.
The Chairman put the amendment, which
was lost by all overwhelming majority.
Il The original motion was then put and car
ried amid vociterous cheering.
Sir Il. w. Garden moved
That the history and results of all past
Legislation in regard to the liquor traffic, abun-
dainty prove that it is impossible satisfactorily
to limit or regulate system so essentially mis-
chlevous in Its tendencies, while no considera-
ton of private gain or public revenue can JUS
, tIty the uphOding of system so utterly wrong
IN principle, suicidal in policy, and disastrous
in result
Sir 5. w. Garden said lie did not attend as
the champion of teetOta ism, but for the purpose
of supporting the alliance. The alliance rev.
, erenced the teetotallers, and he believed them
to be good and great ally to the cause but
the alliance and teetotallers were two seperatc
bodies. He congratulated the president and
all present upon the numerous assemblage o
ladies, because without their aid no good coulC
n be achieved, and with it he was sure the Socie
ty would be successful. (Cheers.) Mr.. Fors
> ter appeared before them as an interested indi
8 vidual, and when that gentleman talked of in
: reference with the liberty of the subject, he
: (Slr r. w. Carden) would ask, did the legisla
|, ture interfere with the liberty of the sub blect
when they passed an act for the suppression o
betting houses! )IIear, hear.)
In Scotland, experience proved that the clos
y ng of the public houses on Sunday had opera
p ted most bene6cially as respected the workin!
IS classes, and materially added to the comforts O
r. themselves and their families Another speake
. (Mr. Nicholson) had said that the public hous
!" was the poor mans hotel. lie (Sir R.W. Car
rs den) denied this, and asserted that the Gin
d palaces were made as attractive as possible 70
W the purpose of seducing the poor man from hi
y home and spending in them the money whic
ought to be given to his family to provide ther
J." with the comforts and necessares of life
(Cheers.) He had a deep devotion for til
cause, and nothing but an attachment TO tn
re lower orders would have induced him to com
NJ forward, for the first time in his life upon thos
: public hustings. Qiear hear.) .-.
Nearly all the poverty in the country aros
N from drink. Public houses were formerly il
: tended as resting -placesfor the weary travelle
is but they had now become temples of iniquit
/, and intemperance. After citing several il
stances which had come under his notice of lat
in his magisterial capicity of cruel and COW
~ ardly assault and injury committed by person
us under the influence of drink, some of who
at were proved to be kind and affectionate paren
a. when sober, Sir Il. w. Garden resumed his Sc,
: amid loud and continued cheering.
Mr.. 5. Pope seconded the resolution, whic
ie' was spoken to by Mr.. g. Cruckshank, and ca
ried unanimously amid much applause.
MIR. Holditch moved ..r-3 IT,. .e
he "That the Legislative prohibition of the liqu
or traffic is perfectly compatible with ration
liberty, and with all the claims of justice al
* Legitimate commerce; and that, therefore, ri
is, ing above class, sectarian, or party consider
rel tions, all<good citizens should combine to pr
cure an enactment, prohibiting the sale of il
toxicating beverages as affording most efiicie
ZEN in removing the appalling evil Of intempe
ance. sf ~ s*' g " +ft'Nf F's 90 s.. z 2
40 Mr.. Bowly seconded the resolution, whi
IRE was carried amid great cheering. h .NA