Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-02-07
Views Of the Governor of Maine on the Maine
Law.

We have received from some friends
copy Of the address of Governor WELLS, OF
Maine, on his Inauguration. Gov. WEIIEs
is one Of the ablest lawyers in New England.
He has served for several years as one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court, and no man
ever retired from the Supreme bench in that
State with higher reputation for ability.
He is man of the purest moral character,
remarkable for fairness, candor, and sincerity.
The Maine Law, as all know, has been in
operation in that State for some years. 1t
may be interesting to know the views OF the
newly elected Governor on the operations
and effects of that celebrated Law. The fol-
lowing extract from his address presents his
views Of the whole matter:
"The regulation of the sale of intoxicating
liquors will claim the early attention Of the
legislature. The laws upon that subject have
undergone frequent changes, and with the
light of experience, new ono may be
framed, which will suit the wants Of the
community. The liability to abuse and ex-
cess in the consumption of such liquors, calls
upon society to restrain the sale as far as is
consistent with the liberty of the citizen. In
temperance is a great evil, the parent of many
sorrows, vices and crimes, and every legiti-
mate and proper means should be used to
prevent it. But the true foundation of tenn
perance must be laid in education. Fines
and imprisonment terrtfy and restrain to
some extent but they rarely reform. Every
man capable of managing his affairs has the
= Ia 4 r. hot hol1 ha
eaten and drank in his own house, and any
attempt by law to control him in the exercise
of it. cannot be justified. But when one un-
dcrtakes to act upon society, by selling Ii
quor, the law can properly prescribe rules for
his government, be then makes himself
amenable to the will of others. Society, in
the employment Of proper discretion, may
protect itself The use of stimulants con-
tanning the intoxicating principle, has pre-
vailed among all nations from the earliest
times, and it is not probable, that it will ever
be entirely abandoned.
Whether person will or will not use in
toxicating liquors a beverage, is n question
for his own determination. One may per-
suade another as to what he shall do in re-
lation to himself in morals or religion, but
coercion in respect to such action is persecu-
ton. 1t is founded in the sentiment that one
knows what is best for his neighbor, better
than the neighbor knows for himself, and a
unity Of will must be made by compulsion.
An attempt Of this kind is at war with the
very elements of civil liberty. The wants of
the community will be satisfied with very
restricted sale, by granting licenses in each
city, town and plantation, to no moro sellers
than will conveniently accommodate the pur-
chasers. 1t is a desirable object to place the
traffic in the hands of respectable citizens.
Innholders furnishing liquors to their guests
and travellers alone, would stand in the same
situation as the heads Of families. Importers
under the laws of the United States should
| be allowed to sell the original packages. And
there arc some classes of persons to whom
sales should be prohibited, those whose hab-
| its show them unfit to be trusted with what
they are sure to use improperly. q
| The public good requires that no intoxice(
| ing liquors should be allowed to DO dranEI4
| the shops where they are sold. Such<fy13<
tices lead to breaches of the peace and OF
conduct injurious to society. 1t does not
| cord with wise and consistent laws to forb(
the manufacture of an article, which is pc
mitted to be sold. No doubt the legslatu(
will enact q law, with suitable penalties, thl
an receive the appreciation Of the peop
and will ac."omplish all that Legislation q
be expected to a., 'a promoting the cause
temperance.
| Although many we'll meaning pL.
nave approved of the existing law on thf
subject, believing it to be the best instrnner
tality to advance good cause, it seems q
me, that they have done so. without Az
rougn examination and understanding of it
aha 'hat no rational and unprejudiced man,
VINO mas studied it attentively, can sanction
Its details, and recommend it, as a rule of
government to free people,"