The Portland daily press., 1863-12-19
Mechanics, Association,
The discussion Of the following question,
which was laid on the table at subsequent
meeting, was resumed last evening:


The discussion Of the following question,
which was laid on the table at subsequent
meeting, was resumed last evening:
Resolved, That q stringent enforcement of pro.
hibtory law against the sale of intoxicating LIQUORS
is the most successful method by which ntemperance
can be suppressed.
Mr.. Pingree said he was in favor of the
good old way Of putting down rumselling, by
the use of persuasive means. The law, with
out being enforced, was in the way of the
progress of temperance, and he did not think
1t could be enforced; gave the history of the
temperance cause in the town where he lived.
Mr.. Giddings said that moral suasion could
effect only certain class Of rumselers, but
few of which are now found In the business.
A man who will sell rum with all Its conse-
quences before him, cannot be influenced by
moral consideration; spoke Of the course pur-
sued by politicians in making the people be-
lieve that the enforcement of the law conflict
ed with the rights of those who sell liquor.
Mr.. Emery did not believe in the ralnrod
doctrine, and nver did. The rum drinker is
at fault for drunkenness, he being free NOR
al agent, having the power to drink or let it
alone. A law to stop the supply amounts to
nothing so long as the demand exists. The
law increased rum shops from forty-two to
eight hundred In this city. You cannot drive
men to give up bad habit. Bring up the
children right and have nothing to do with
law-let the drunkards die who had SO strong
an appetite they could not resist.
Mr.. Baker said he understood every branch
of the business as he had been in it; he had
been Washingtonian until he was satisfied
it could not influence such men as sell rum
now; thought Bro. Emery overestimated the
number Of rum shops: law, where enforced,
had closed up the grog shops entirely.
Mr.. Emery said there was no time under
Neal BOWS administration when he could not
buy liquor in Portland; thought intemperence
was on the increase in this city, especially
among the young; he had taken thirty bottles
out Of thirty overcoats at private party
under the Maine law rule.
Mr.. Day agreed with Mr.. Emery in regard
to the increase Of rum shops, and of intem-
peranee-but the Maine law is not responsible
for 1t, as the law is not fully enforced. He
said public sentiment was not up to the en-
forcing point; If it was there would be no
trouble in enforcing the law.
Mr.. Patten defended himself against charges
made against him at previous meeting that
he was not in favor of the law-he was in favor
of that or any other instrumentality that can
be applied to the case. He said the supply
created the demand, and the more there was
produced the greater the demand. He spoke
Of the necessity of waking up and doing some
thing TO save our people from the flood of in
temperance that is sweeping over Our land.
He said intemprance was prevailing to an
alarming extent in the army.
Mr.. Bailey said the question was whether
having law 1t ought to he vigorously enforc-
ed, and thought there could be but one opinion
on that point-said it was not expected that a
law could be of value if not enforced. He
said man who is SO degraded as to sell rum
with all the light there is upon its tendency is
man upon whom moral means can have no
influence. Considerations of loss or penalty
was more likely to influence his conduct than
persuasive means. He spoke Of the additional
tax upon liquors-thought it is step in the
rght.direction; it cannot be fully eradicated
but its sale may be restricted.
Mr.. Emery replied to the arguments of
Messrs. Pattep, Bailey and others on the AFR
native, and Mr.. Foster replied to him, taking
the Affirmative.
Mr.. Day moved that the question be laid
on the table until the next meeting. Adjourn
ed to meet next Thursday evening.