Smyrna times., 1856-01-02
The Maine Law in Maine,

1t is now a considerable time that we have
said little of the actual condition of the Rum
traffic IN this State, because we have waited to
see what effect would be produced bv the re-
suit OF the election. In this city, up to that
| time, the traffic was confined within very nar-
row limits The illegal importation of LIQUORS
was almost entirely stopped. To such an ex.
tent was this done, that the Irish resorted to
various expcdlents, and took vast deal of trou-
ole to introduce even the smallest quantities in
| spite OF the police. lntemperance was hardly
seen in our streets at all. and such cases as did
occur were among the lowest part Of our Irish
population.
But Immediately after election. all this wos
changed Fer time the Irish thought thew
| might sell openly, and intoxicated persons were
often seen IN our streets both by night and bv
DAY Intemperance was no longer confined
eXcusively to the Irish, but the families of
those who had been instrumental in procurinr
| the temporary check Of the Temperance cause
end the apparent triumph of rum and ruin.
were the first 10 suffer, and the sons of Mr.
Clifford and Judge Wells were picked up drunk
IN The street, by the police, and packed into
The watch house with the dlEtest drunkards IN
town. 1t canno: be denied. that since election
those who have long desired 10 sell rum. are
endeaVOrlng to do so, and many do it (tkouuh
not openly IN spite oi the efforts of the police.
1t IS but just however, to say. that rumsellipg
even yet, is almost exclusively confined TO the
| lrlsh. We have heard OF no Americans who
are supposed to be engaged in the vile trade
except R. r. Robinson, fellow BY the name
OF Wnslow, and the keepers Of the U. States
and Elm Hotels
The only difficulty which wac ever found
here in surpressing the rum trade, arose from
the Court, who were supposed to strain the
power OF qulbbllng to the utmost, to quash COM
plants, and other proceedings and IN the fact
that lawyers could always be found ready to
engage IN the service OF your Dumphevs, YOUR
Lanneg ans, your DOOLGys and McC4rtus, for
a paltry fee. But this year we have heard of
no lawyers who have engaged in this work but
Clifford and Judge Wells, and verify they have
tLeir reward.
AS to the Courts, they have experienced a
change which cannot be otherwise than favora.
| bic to the Maine Law movement. II is very
well known that our late Chief Justice had no
sympathy with that movement and mapv ner
sons thoaght he was not sorry of pretcxt for
| throwing obstacles III Its way. 1t is remem.
oered that some years ago, he took up time in
a religious conference i'll making a speech
against prohibiting grog shops. His absence
from the Bench is thought to be highly tavora.
ble to the movement lor the legal suppression
oi greg shops and to the progress of principles
Ot freedom III the Stale. il our large towns
and cities, the unfavorable Influences of our
late election, are more felt than they are in
the rural districts. In the latter the rum traf-
ic is very nearly annihllat"d, and it is not easy
to introduce II there, whjl" the law will enable
Il few resolute men to exclude it,
Our friends in other States may wish 10 know
fthe friends OF temperance in Maine are dis
couraged by the check they have experienced!
Our answer is unhesitatingly in the negative.
So far as We can Judge, our friends in this
State were never IN better spirits than now.
and never more confident Of final success. The
The enemies Of Temperance have had an acc-
dental and temporary triumph. and the slight
est movement on their part to legalize the rum
traffic, will have the effect TO hurl them from
power. The Maine Law movement IN this
State was not sudden or spasmodic. but was
the result of many years OF mature considera.
ton Of the evils of grog shops, and Of settled
determination of the people 10 remedy those
evils by surpressing their cause. The people
Of Maine have not changed their minds; their
convictions and their determinations remain
Portland Temperance Journal.