Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-06-26
Action of the National Division.

Mr.. Frazer, for the committee on
prohibition, submitted the following
report, which was adopted by unani-
nous vote, and il was ordered that
o copy be transmitted TO the Mosl
Worthy Associate Neal Dow in Eng
land, under the seal ofthe National
Division:
The Committee TO whom was re-
ferred the subject Of Prohibition, beg
leave to report: That they fully
echo the sentiment of our NJ. w. p,
regarding prohibition rs "fxed
necessity" tho establishment ofwhich
in every State and Province of
our jurisdiction is q matter devoutly
to be wished and sincerely to be
labored for, nor can we be content
until we hail its its accomplishment.
The reverses which may have at
tended the operations and existence
of the law in some parts ofour juris-
diction were not at oil owing to its
weakness or inadaptedness to affect
all that its most sanguine supporters
excepted, but owing entirely to the
ceaseless activity and agitation of
individuals finvncially interested in
the traffic in intoxicating liquors,
representing the law as unjust and
tyrannical, without a corresponding
effort on the part of its promoters, to
show the falsity ofsuch cry, togeth-
or with the negligence and Partially
Of those Officer who were charged
with the duty of carrying out the
provisions of the law. No law is so
instinct with life as to march forth in
the struggle of manhood to execute
its own requirements, but needs on
the part ofthe executor awatchful eye,
an unwavering hand, an impartial
and fearless Judgment, and on the
part of the public, sympathy and
countenance Of such officers as will
execute honestly the requirements of
the law. To say therefore, that be-
cause executive officers have neglect
cd their duty, and communities their
privilege, in the use Of the franchise,
the law is a failure, is as unreasonable
as 1t is unphilosophical.
Who're the law found conscientious
officers doing their duty and commu-
mites availing themselves of their
privilege, it has answered to the full.
est extent the desired and expected
end; making prisons and poor houses
tenantless, and lettering inebriates in
the street sight very rarely seen,
while many family circles rejoiced in
the happiness it extended TO thom.
We look with deep solictude and
interest on the first battle field ofthis
qnestion-Maine. For the repeal o !
the law in this State paralyzed to a
great extent the efforts of It's friends
in other jurisdictions. The fact is
understood by the few well informed,
that its repeal in Maine was not from
any want of efficiency, but from
variety Of extraneous causes. Yet
the effect has been disastrous. III,
however this jurisdiction shall restore
to her statute book her prohibitory
law, q new and more powerful era
will be inaugurated, and we rejoice to
learn that now they are exerting
themselves to occupy the honorable
position they once did, and towards
the accomplishment Of this body.
With feelings of honest pride we have
learned the enthusiastic reception
given to our much esteemed and
distinguished Brother, Past Most
Worthy Associate Dow, in Great
Britain, and feel sanguine that his
candid and matter of fact statements
of the working Of the prohibitory law
in the State Of Maine particularly,
and other States generally, will be
attended with the most satisfactory
results.
Respectfully submitted
G. w. JERMAIN.
L. W. JACKSON,
s. F. CARY,
JOHN FRAZER