The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-18

it is consoling circumstance however that there
are in China nearly four hundred millions OF
people, and that lusty boys are nos worth over
four dollars at the seaports and good looking
girls three. When the material is so plentiful
and so cheap, little Of it may be wasted without
| much injury And if the loss of a few thousand
Chinese could be the means of opening the great
rivers of China to trade and enterprise, We kno Y
of no better investment in the world.
The Temperance Party-Its Rise, Progress,
Decline and FALL
The year which has just closed was marked by
tremendous amount Of political bankruptcy; but
no party nor politician-no men nor set of men
were so entirely and completely used up as the
faction that took temperance" for its guiding
star and the Prohibitory Liquor law for its sailing
chart. The facts in the case Of this concern
which has ruined its originators to help other
men to power and place, are full Of general in
terest, and will be not without particular ex-
emplary effect upon Juvenile politicians of an as
piring turn of mind
The Prohibitory Liquor lawwas the offspring Of
third rate disappointed wing politician in the
State of Maine, who commenced the agitation
about ten years since. This apostle stumped the
State with all the zeal if not the eloquencs of
Paul preaching the unknown God to the Athe-
mans. He at last succeeded in forming political
party, and getting law through the Legislature
by which the selling and drinking of any distilled
or iermented liquors, except by agents appointed
for the Purpose by the State was made penal
offence.
The originator of the law was so far successful
as to make great deal of money by having the
best agency in the State, and to be elected Mayor
OF Portland. A riot was caused by the attempted
ment caused the loss OF life, and be returned
into the obscurity from which he emerged only
20 injure his fellow citizens. The law was thol
made more severe, and at one time any traveller
detected in conveying upon his person or in his
luggage drop Of ardent spirits was liable to
fine and Imprisonment. The severity OF the pro
visions OF the enactment prevented its execute
After it had had flir trial the p1ol voice de-
clared against prohibition, aud the temperance
party sustained an overwhelming defeat at e.,
polls In all the other NcT England Stltes a.,
law, with slight notifications, was adopted, and
was more or less eie i've, accc ding TO the CON-
mcrcial Importance of the locality. It wa.
breaking out Of the old Puritan spirit in 4 new
shape The descendants of the Pilgrims being
forced to allow q citizen to vote even Il he had
not been joined to the Congregational Church,
and being deprived Of the chief entertainments OF
their ancestors-to wit: burning witches hanging
Quakers, cheating icendly Indians, and similar
Chris,ian-lile pursuits-saw in the Prohbitory
law a splendid opening Tor the revival Of tina.
spirit OF persecution which is the only blot upon
the fame Of their styTdy ,orefa.hers. They eve
cuted the law in u most extraordinary manner
carrying things so far as TO defeat the very 90.
jet they desired TO accomplish. They experienced
the fate Of certain fanatics, who some years ago.
requested an eminent member Of the RhoC.
Island bar to draft q strong importance law
something that should be speedy in its operate
lie drew an act which provided th
any person selling glass Of liquor should
I've tried before the Court OF Magistra'e..
and if convicted, punished With SIX months i'm
prisoument In thc penten!iary, and chat ne should
not have The right 70 appeal. The Law pas, 4
the Assembly, but was queshed on lie frs tris
because IL deprived the dc,eniau, Of ID. c0lsa.
tuiioa1l right Of trial by jury. This has been
eject the ea.e in New England vita regard tot
Maine law
The leaicrs Of The movement which was
ways political sighed FOR more worlds 70 co
queF and looked TO New York as afcrlng he
incst opening for TIE spoils. Tho opponents
the Jaw IN New ENGLAND were also especially d
sirous that II should be tried ia the Empire S,le.
ard a ort Of tacit agreement was made that 90
should stand or fall upon that TRIAL The elc
ton Of 1852 resulted favorably fo- ths demgcra-
cy, which patty carly declared its hostility go
prohibition. The temper nee men could do np-
thing that year, except to perfect their orgarz,-
ton in the rural districts which work they &C
complishcd with great labor aud expense a.
The next election The democracy we're split up ~
the bad policy Of Pierce in his appointment. aud
were oycrthrovn horse, foot and dragons A.
the beginning Ct 1854 new Assembly came in
with majority elected as prohibtionisss The
Seward whigs. lseing that the movement ives
popular one for The moment seized upon il and
canied The law through the Legislature. It wa
stopped by the veto Of Governor Seymour aud
war 20 TIE knife between The liquor dealers aud
the prohibitonsss enmed. The canvass on The
liquor side was mos, clumsly managed, while The
scwardtcs pursued ther usual Jetlit'cal coure
with the most perfect success. The next Lcgs-
latnre would BE- called upon to elect n Senator OF
The United State. in place of William H. Seward,
and Il was % the greatest importance that Mr..
Sewar. should be returned. The temperance men
agreed 70 vote for Seward provided thc Seward
mon voted for the Prohibitory Liquor Law. The
temperance men operated in the Assembly dis
Ltics whit tho sanard men orglniz-i the .tatc.