New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-12

We are ssked by correspondent what he
shall do under the Prohbtory Lav-resiSt or
obey lie is Of course a dealer in liquor, or
be would not ark so absurd questiOn. W. tell
him he has no option 10 the premises; be mlst
obey. The law was made to be obeyed aui it
will be enforced.
But our awisble friead declares that he is op-
posed 70 giving up mis- traffic, aud doe, not be-
leve ia the law that compels him e. do it, AMI
70 be ia anxious to resist les enfor ,euent. TIE
traffic having e1isted SO long and been 20 long
cOr.ideIed respectable, hs Insists, is reason
why it should not be stopped now. This is no:
an original or forcible process Of reasoning
The slave trader the lottery ticket vender, the
gambling. house keeper, have oil been able to de-
fend theit several vacations upon precisely the
sone ground. But the truth is tina. DO trsfii, ia
which men engage for purposes of gain caa be
defended upon tie ground of prescription or al.
legged responsibility. Every species must be
mea,ured by its Intrinsic qualities. Whatever is
peInicious,' iphuman, deuoralizipg, debasing to
society, society may condemn aud Grad cate.
No plea which sets aside these great considera-
tions referring to the publ; veal, is admissible.
The PfOhlbitory Law cannot be condemned be-
canse it touches the interests OF respectable peg
tobs, ard destroys a business Of long ST .nding.
If such views bad control ed legislators and re-
formers the world would never have got out of
the thick darkness Of b,rbsrism. But the Pro
hlbitory Lsw should not be looked upon as boS
at tie liquor dealers. 1t il, "a Law enacted for the
pablic COED. 1t lie statute born OF lofty de-
sire to elevate and improve the cood ton of so
ciety. 1t is law of which Philanthropy and
Bebefcence are the originators. 1t has beeo
carried to its contamination By earnest and con.
scientiOus men, deeply penetrated by the wide.
spread add profound evils that alcoholic droks
have caused. 1t is law designed wholly for
good, and not at all for evil. IL may call for
temporary sacrifice on the part of few iudivid-
ual., t, whom, however the entire community
bears an overwhelming proportion; but even
from them the sa ,rifice be, ia the end, ben
ehcial, for it will turn them from perncious to
u,eiul s,ocatons. They too, along with the
mass of the people, will profit by IT, in that it's
besltbful influences will be universally whole.
some 1t will carry the seeds Of other reforms
ard ameiioratioIs. The Maine Law thus co mes
TO bless all and to curse none Let it be hailed
then, as great triumph Of Good over Evil
Let it be welcomed as messenger of good will
to meD.
Our correspondent suggests that as We con-
denim the Fugitive Slave Law, We cannot consist
tptly call upon Others to obey this law, wao re-
gard it with conscientious disappro5atio,. We
hold to the doctrine of Higher Law. Does our
correspoI dent If nay, then be has not our
ground upon which to stand. Ifyes, then let
him 10y the Prohibitory Law along side OF his
COINCIDENCE and iDterrog.te that 10 respec; ~ the
character Of its provisions Does the Law de
grade and oppress the poor Does it d. vio-
l,rce to the pIomptiDgs OF humanity Does it
aim to enslsvs aud crush any portion of our
fel cw men IL it in aDy of its provisions at
vsrisr ce with the inslienable rishs OF co nnon
humanity, sr the e.erLal laws Of God II the
conscience of Ium seller can lay none Of these
things to is charge, then igher Law maa
though be be be has 10 gTound upon which 10
condemn sid resist its operation. AID he las
no ground uyon which to charge US win incen-
sissency, when We call up n him and upon all 30
render to this law cordial support.