Smyrna times., 1855-10-10
The Maine Law.

me w umington journal says: A silly ru-
NOR seems TO have obtained currency boro.
abouts, to the effect that Hon. Neal Dow has
given up the idea Of the ultimate success of
the Maine Law. Those who know MIR. Dow.
will not of course believe the fabrcation but
for the information of persons who are likely to
be deceived by the rumor, we publish the fol.
lowing letter from the distinguished autbor of
the Maine Law. The friends of the Liquor
traffic are welcome to all the consolation they
can draw from it: while the advocates of pro-
hlbltlon with Neal Dow at their head, will
'work on-work ever" until they have fully
accomplished their glorious work---lhc redemp-
ton OF our countrymen from the influence Of
rum.
PORTLAND, Me-, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1865
10 the Editor Of Tie PrOhiGiti0nia
|, DEAR S!R:-Your favor of the 2Ist is inst
received, asking for information in relation to
the unexpected result of our State election
We confidently expected that the vote would
show decided majority in our favor, because
all our friends were united and enthusiastic
while our enemies were not united on anV one
question, and could not cast, as we thought, SO
large vote ours by 5000 to 10000.
We expected to obtain $4,000 votes, and did
in fact cast $1,000, and, according to all onr
experience in elections, this should have ciyan
us the majority which We expected, but the rn-
turns showed the vote to be larger by abont
10000 than it ever was before, while we tbinl,
the population OF the State has not increased.
Our vote was about G,GU0 larger than if was
last year, and our candidate for Governor has ,
plurality Of vot"s OF more than 5000. lackinr
about O,1u0 OF minority, while the opcos;nr
candidate wants about 1900 Of an election
Large sums Of money were spent nv onno.
nonts IN carrying the election, derived from tnn
Hum Trade IN Boston and New York. and ,yo
nave reason to think that money was received
also from Washington TO be spent in the cam
vosS. Our opponents flooded the State with
papers, Circulars and coffin handhiis. CONTAINING
tue grossest iaisehoods, by which undoubtedly
many honest people were mlsied
1t Is difficult for us to explain our position in
Il briet letter, so that it can be cIearly under.
stood by cur friends abroad. so flras the tom
perance cause is concerned, Our enemies consist
of four different classes
L. Those who are Tor free tade in rum. This
class includes almost al! our fore rn population.
and the 10" aud vile Of our own 1cople.
:. hose vino are in favor of a License law. .
50 draWh that actual rumsccling shall be con-
hned 10 tHc hrst-ciass hotels, ana the rented
saloons, restaurants and groceries, while il
shal! operate L very stringent prohibition
upon low shops of every sort
3. Those who are in favor of the Maine Law. (
but who voted against u on local question. tor
personal considers tlons, or through The ecc-
cess oil the Efforts oiour enemies to iusicad lu,
deceive. This class VIII include at least To- I
coo votes.
!. Those who are perfectly Indifferent as 70
The question OF Prohibition, but are ONLY anX-
lous to regain the political power whicn thew
have lost and which they cannot recover. as
they tank, while the Name Law is IN the as-
;cnoant-mcre unscrunUlous hack no!;,Ja,aps
and oiicc-scokcrs. THIS class WIS. IN l.ct. t5a
mann sPr!hg "l the Whuie movement a .rliIlst Us.
The check which we received al the I,to
election has not oPnratad in the least to dis
courage Us; ON the contrary, it stimulates ms
10 ne" cltorts. 1t Is in accordance with o.r
lnItorm experience in the Temperance reform
alter every success u reverse; after every
'evcrsc u success greater than am auhich by0-
'edc@ II. Cur uniaillug trust is in a KIND
providence, which has so far guided our coun-
'cis, anu blessed our feeble efforts in the work
u redeening our countrymen from the curse of
'un. That God viii carry through Ibis v,orl
We have no doubt and the time is very near
We feel sure, when throughout the land tbo
raiilc will be placed in the list OF prohibited
occupations. Very truly, yours,
NEAL Dow