The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-05-01

Conference, held in Slco. Tho meeting,
which was in tho Church on Middle street,
was addressed by quite number OF speak
ers, among them, Reys. Messrs. Church,
Cone, Sanderson, L. Andrews, Esq, and
Hon. Sidney Perham, who, in the discharge
of his duty as the Agent Of the State Tenn
perance Committee, was in our place to see
the friends Of temperance, and to awaken
fresh interest in the cause. Tho meeting
was full and earnest. We werepiesent, and
listened with great interest to the views OF
the Speakers, and to the various suggestions
made by them, as to what an enlightened
regard for the temperance cause required oil
the temperance men at this crisis. IL was
agreed, on all sides, that the Barnes law y
had proved an entire failure. The discuss
ion naturally involved questions relating to
the past action Of temperance men, and 'uS-
gcsted enquiry as to what should DO done by
them IN the future. On these points there
was scmc difference of opinion, expressed in
courteous manner, and with great good
feeling. AL agreed that the temperance
men should have their zeal re.awakened, and
that measures should DO taken that would
eyentuate in the restoration Of the prohibit
tory policy. We desire to say few words
in relation to the points suggested. Before
speaking particularly to them, we wish to
say that the zeal manifested by the Temper
ancc men in Saco, in holding weekly meet
ings, in which the growing evils Of intern
perance have been presented, is creditable
and much good may grow out Of their
course. Similar meetings, held in all the
towns Of the State, would DO beneficial, and
promote the great end for which temper
ance men should labor, to wit, the entire
destruction Of the liquor trade, for any othei
purpose except the sale for medical or me
chanical purposes. In our city 1T seems tC
us that our moral welfare, the protection o.
wives, mothers, brothers and sons. from th,
pcrils and scductiOns Of the liquor shops
require that temperance men should buckle
In their armOr again, and renew the war
fare agains, the greatest evil that afflicts so
cicty. Observation must convince all tina
the evils Of inebriation are alarminsly en- III,
increase, and that if society is to DO savot
from terrible scourge, prompt measures
must be taken to place on the Statute
Book, such a legislative enactment as vii
suppress the sale Of intoxicating liquors as q
beverage We invite the temperance mer
Of our city to the consideration OF the grow
ing evils Of intemperance in our midst.
Having said this much, we propose Il
speak briefly, as to what appears to be the
present duty OF Temperance men. Our con-
victions of the necessity Of prohibitory
law, have been strengthened, rather than d.
minishcd, by the events Of the past year,
and from witnessing the practical operation
Of the law passed by the Wells Legislature,
which remains nullity on the Statute
looks, neglected by those who passed it, and
having no strength with the real friends OF
temperance. Unlike the opponents of the
law of 1855. those who thought il unwise
have interposed no obstacles to its operation.
They have waited calmly and patiently, for
the fraits which its friends promised; and
percciving that evil only arises from its ex-
istence, they now feel that it is full time for
the real temperance men to aSitats for the
establishment OF a law that shall be OF
some practical utility in stopping the tide o!
intcmpcnnoe. In initiating measures for
this purpose, the temperance men have some
useful experiences, which will serve to guide
them in the future, and perhaps save them
from the commmission Of mistakes.
The people Of the State, we believe, are,
by large majority, in favor of a stringent
prohi5itory law, and it is quite certain that
IN the fall canvass they will take political
action in relation to its establishment
Every sincere friend Of temperance must de-
sire cautious action-such Us will cyentuate
IN the establishment OF policy that prom
Uses pcrmancncy. Ii is sometimes said that
the question Of temperance should be taken
from tho arena of politics. From that kind
of politics, which seeks for permanent good
to society, by enlightened political action,
We have no dosir, to wrcst the question, I'M
til the prohibitory policy is fully establish
oil. Political action must be had in relation
to it. This must be apparent to all.
We conceive the present to be favorable
time to settle the whole matter; prudent
and .judcious action on the part of the tenn
pcrance men will aid in settling il wisely.
Avoiding ON the one hand, that timid con-
scrsatis.I, which binders all true progress,
and gives stone where bread is needed, and
on the other that radicilism, which however
well meant, often irritates We trust that
the legislature, next to be elected, will APP
proach this subject with disposition to
overcome the difficulties that environ it
To US, it now seems decidedly the dictate OF
wisdom for the friends Of prohibition to Ia
Dor to place men in the legislature, who will
see thata prohibitory law is framed with
great care, stringent enough to eject the
purpose, but not open to the objection that
it has been framed in partiEan spirit, or is
unnecessarily severe in its provisions, and
that such law he submitted to the popular
vote. A law Of such character, framed in
the spirit we have named, adopted as we
have no doubt. it would be by large vote.
would have the sanction Of the people under
great solemnities, and would be likely to be
regarded as the permanent policy of the
State, to be respected by all parties, and
subject to such alterations, only as circum-
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