Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-25
Gge Otrmont 4Benir.
BRATTLEBORO. VT.
SATURDAY, APRIL %, 1857.
Prohibition Abandoned in New York.

When Neal Dow discovered the principle Of en-
tire prohibition Of the sale Of spurious liquors, and
applied that principle to practical legislation in
neghborng state, many Of the more enthusiastic
friends of temperance hailed the dawn Of millenal
morning that was soon to burst upon the world
with almost noontide effulgcncc. These sanguine,
but honest and worthy men thought panacca had
been devised that would cure intcmperance and
Danish tipping from the face Of the country, ifnot
from the habiable globe. In the excess Of their
zeal they looked upon moral suasion entirely in
efficient, and its application MS developed in the
Washingtonian mo, oment, unmitigated old fogyism
Labor, patient and unwcaricd, preccpt and exam
pie were all to be dispensed with, and the strong
arm Of the law invoked to compel men to abandon
their cups and bctake themselves to temperate,
abstemious life. In acting thus most Of these re-
formers were faithful to their convictions of duty
and moved in accordance with the dictates Of their
consciences.
But soon another class Of men arose who knew
not and cared not so much for the we-being Of
mankind as for their own political ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Without having been so much us suspected of phil
anthropy previous to the advent Of political tenn
perancc, they all at once became the most uncom-
promising champions ofprohibiton. Without man
festing any of that tender regard for humanity
that is Characteristic of the selfsacrihcng philan-
thropc rciormer, they stepped boldly into the arena
stripped off their coats aud rolled up their sleeves as
for gladiatorial exhibition. What the success OF
such men have been all can see; what it will be in
the future when reason takes the place of a blind
enthusiasm, may rs easily be inferred.
The principle of prohibition has been deemed
unconstitutional, impolic and inexpeiicnt. With
its constitutionality We have nothing to do. That
it was impolkic and nexpedient we have always
believed, albeit in doing we have been compelled
to differ from many valued friends. Many who
were at first strong advocates Of the doctrines cm-
bodied in the "Maine Law, D." have been led to adop,
different conclusions. In most Of the New Eng
land States the law has been greatly modified since
its original enactment, and in all some Of its pro-
visions remain dead letter.
In New York prohibition has been displaced by
a stringent License system, that promises we'll
BY its provisions no person receive a license
unless the petition therefor is signed by twenty
free-holGers-each Of them to be siguer Of no 9th.
er petition for license. With such safeguards and
strong penalties for selling without license and fol
selling spurious liquors with one, we think nor,
will be doue to close irresponsible grogshops than
by all the prohibiory laws that have ever been en-
acted. 1t is these tippling haunts that do SO much
to demoralizc community. When the Ian of til,
law is put upon all places Unfortunately they
will n
pounds If the sale is left in responsible hands and
guarded by suitable restrictions, every respectaLl,
man in the community will lend his assistance il
protecting the community by aiding in the enforce.
ment Of judcious license law. How the new
statute will work in New York remains to be seen
but we think the day is not distant when return
will he made to the license system in every STATE
] MIMI lI.L - a.IL. - .