Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-01-11

u ever before infested the country. Men
!, who had been loyal to their constitution
t al obligations, in moment ofresentmen
j.. broke away and united with vicious DO
: Gtical associations. that threatened, fo1
a time, to destroy the very foundation.
of the Republic. But whatever opinions
may be entertained of the policy of that
: measure, it has passed, and the principle
is adopted. that each territory may de-
terrninc the character of its own institu-
tions. In itself this is unquestionably
most in accordance with the basis of
American government and tho true idea
Of the liberty of communities. Those who
wander from the places of their birth. lay
the foundation Of new States and endure
all the hardships and priyations of infant
settlements, merit the right Of making
their own laws, for the government of
their homes and fresides. They can
appreciate their necessities and interests
better than former associates, whom they
have let at a great distance behind them
/ All the territories wherever situate arr
open toa free competition ofinstitutions :;
,theiri no longer any line to check ex-
pressly rby Implication the establish
ment Of such legislation as is congenial
to the habits of the people. And the
time will probably soon come when very
few viii desire the restoration of that line
and an end will be put to the constant
and bitter conflict ofopinion arising from
that subject.
The regulation of the sale ofintoxica-
ting liquors will claim the early atten-
ton of the legislature. The laws upon
that subject have undergone frequent
changes and with the light Of experience
new one may be framed, which will
suit the wants of the community. The
liability to abuse and excess in the CON
sumption Of such liquors. calls upon So
cicty to restrain the sale as far as is con-
sistent with the liberty of the citizen
Inteaparancc is great evil, the parent
of many sorrowS, vices and crimes, and
every Legitimate and proper should
be used t. prevent it. Bat the tru. fo0n-
dation Of temperance must be laid in ed.
ucaten Fines and Imprisonment terri
ty and Restrain t. some extent, but they
/ rarely reform. Every man cap1blc Of
managing hi; affairs has the right to de-
termiHe for himself what shall be eaten
or drank in his own house, and an. at
tempt by law to control him in tha ex-
ercise Of it, cannot be justified. But
When one undert kes t. at upon socie-
t., by selling liquor, TIE law can prop
orly prescribe rules for his government,
he then makes himself amenable to the
viii Of others. Society. in the employ
ment Of Il proper discretion. may protect
itself. The use Of stimulantS containing
the Intoxicating principle. has prevailed
among al nations from the earliest times,
and it Is not probable, that it will ever
be entirely abandoned.
Whether person will or will not use
Intoxicating liquors as a beverage, IS a
question for his own determinations One
may psrsnadc another as TO what he shall
do IN relation to himself in morals or re.
ljglon, but coercion IN respect to such ac-
,on is persecution. It IS founded IN the
sentiment, thdl one KNOWS Nhat Is better
for his neighbor, than the nelshbor knows
for himself, aud unity OF will must be
made by compulslon. An attempt of this
kind IS at war with the very elements of
civi! liberty. The wants Of the commu.
nty will be satisfied with very restricted
sale, by granting licenses in each city
town aud plantation, 20 10 more sellers
Than ulll conveniently accommodate the
purchasers. 1t Is desirable object to
! place the traffic in the hands of respeeta-
bic citizens. lnnhoIder4 furnishing H.
quors to their guests and travellers alone,
would stand in the same situation as the
heads Of families. Importers under the
laws of the United Slaies should be al.
lowed to sell m the original pack ages
And there are some classes OF persons 10
whom sales should be prohibited, those
whose habits show them unfi, to be trust.
ed With wha, they are sure to use im.
n, onerlv
The nnbI;c oood reouires that no intoy.
ica,ino liouors should be allowed to be
dr,rk IN the sbons waere thew are sold
such nractices lead to breaches OF the
neaca and other conduct injurious to 50.