The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-22
The Prohibitory Liquor Law Sustain
cd by Judge Capron.

Judge Capron, at the opening Of the Court
of General Sessions, in New York city, in
his charge to the members OF the Grand
Jury, sustains in q very decided manner the
constitutionality Of the PrOhibitory Liquor
Law Of that State, which is the same in all
important particulars as the law OF this
State. Judge CaprOn not only decides that
the law is constitutional, beyond eshadow
of n doubt, but goes ON TO show the necessi-
~ of the law. and the obligation executive
officers and grand jurors were under to aid IN
its enforcement.
He saws, in speaking OF the " Act for the
Suppression Of Intemperanee, Pauperism and
Crime" -
This statute. gentlemen, has probably
excited more general public interest, and
elected warmer discussions than any other
statute passed in this State since the founda-
ton Of the Government.
Distinguished counselors have written
opinions against it, constitutionailty, ana
eminent judges have pronounced similar
opinions from the bench. On the other
hand, counselors equally able, and other
judges have argued that the law Is eonstitu-
tional "a all ats prOrisiOns, and that 70 en-
braces no new principles. None OF the pro-
visions Of the law, however, which II Is i'm
portant for US 20 consider, at this time, have
been declared unconstitutional at any gen.
eral term of the Snpreme Court-by the
unanimous decision OF the judges, nor ac-
cording 20 my understanding, have they
been 40 held by the majority of any bench.
The Predatory Lac, Gentlemen, IS a
Constitutional Lar. l entertain no more
doubt of its constitutionality than | do OF
the fact that am now pronouncing this
opinion in your hearing.
Tiis NECESSITY ron IRIS ENFORCEMENT.
To exhibit In strong light the impor-
lance Of the PrOhibitory law, and TO sub
nit an eminently practical argument in
demonstration Of the urgent necessity exist
ing for it, prompt and thorough enforcement
i'm this city. will state that, during the
month OF January last 363 persons were ar
raigned for trial in this Court and the Court
of special Sessions. OF this number l66
were convicted aud sentenced; 1872 were
convicted, but the sentences were suspended
for various causes and 20 were acquitted.
Fifty-one of the conyicts sentenced were be-
tween the agss Of 10 and 20 years, and
very large majority OF those whose cases
were suspended were minors, and about one
hundred were under the age of l6 years.
The crimes for which these persons were ar
raigned comprehended almost the whole
catalogue, from larceny TO murder. Among
the whole number l02 were confirmed ine-
briates, and every one was more or leSs in
toxicatcd when the act was committed for
which the complaint was made, though O2
professed temperate habits; but il was
shallow prctense; their appearance bclied
the ayerment. Very significant character
istics distinguished those cases. Nearly all
of them originated in the night; large
proportion of them after midnight, and the
scenes of the catastrophes were laid in fash
ionable drinking saloons and tippling houses
sented in the long and mournful catalogue
ofour doomed fellow men.
Fsiloic- Citizens: Grand JuTOrs-ln view
of these momentous truths, a. some OF you
are husbands and fathers, and all of YOU
are men, pardon the inquiry here, which
was prop0unded in primitive times, by hal
lowed lips. in reference TO scarcely less
solemn redemption Of fallen humanity than
that which we are now contemplating-'.l Is
there no balm in Gilead? Is there no " ply
sician therc?" Must tho swelling stream
of liquid fire roll on unchecked, over the
length and breadth Of this metropolis, con-
suming, in lts progress, all that is lovely
and hopeful in youth, honorable and useful
in stalwart manhood, and venerable in de-
clining age?
The Prohibitory Law is an eiiectual anti
dote for the evils of intomperance, and the
pauperism and crime which follow in its
train. That law is all sufficient, and If en-
forced in it, integrity il will realize the OBJ
ject of it, benevolent authors.