The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-04-23

L. lhe prohibitory Liqnor Law Beneficial.

prohibitory liquor law, and many OF those interested
in Its sale, as far as it is permitted, have constituted
themselves a vigilance committee to prevent it:
sale, where not permitted by law, possibly coupled
with a desire 10 bring what may be deemed liz
h~ardships so to bear, as to influence the next elec-
ton, when, judging from the leader in a late Poly
nesiun, an effort will be made 10 secure an election
OF members favorable to its repeal-I, in common
with the editor Of the Friend. deem it proper that
those who approve of the law should be ready to
yield it their hearty support. And no doubt they
will do so at the proper time.
1t is not my purpose to discuss the temperance
question here. l have no time TO devote to that.
Others have done it, I think unanswerably as far as
the logic Of the question is concerned. and no doubt
if their arguments need to be reproduced it will be
done by some competent hand again. It is not un-
common for those advocating the free manufacture
and sale Of alcoholic liquors 10 call those opposed to
them bigoted, narrow-minded. sc, as though they
were utterly incompetent to view the subject com
prehensively either in its social or political aspects,
and themselves the only ones capable Of viewing the
question with fairness.
1t is on these points that I propose to remark as
briefly as possible.
\ broad and comprehensive view of any subject
embraces al of is aspects for good or evil, and any
just conclusion can only be formed by weighing
carefully the good and evil results flowing from any
system or practice. If the good predouinates, then
the practice or system is good on the whole. though
there may be incidental evils connected with it. If
the evil rreloninates, then the system or practice is
evil on the whole, though it may not be destitute OF
Incidental good.
The manufacture and sale of alcoholic drinks are
to be considered in this aspect, as well as other ques-
tions of the day. If more good than evil follows
then the advocate of restriction does not take a
broad view Of the subject, but if the evil ou~tweighs
the good, then his is the broad and comprehensive
view, and the narrow and short-sighted one must be
that of his opponent. 1.-The greatest good to the
greatest number" socially and politically, is an
axiom so inherently correct that it will at once com
mend itself to the Judgment of all reasoning men.
If then the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors
as Il Jererage do not promote the greatest good of
the greatest number-if the evil predominates over
the good, then the advocates of restriction are the
ones whose views are enlarged and far-sighted.
The social and political aspects of this question
are go intimately related that they will be considered
together. and first should be mentioned the good which
arises from the manufacture and traffic in this arti-
Gle as u bererage.
1t opens a profitable door to the planter for the
disposition of his molasses, which cannot be con-
verted into sugar, it furnishes Il field of employ
mont for the dealer and adds to the wealth of the
country and the community by converting an other
wise much less valuable article into a lucrative
commercial one. 1t also adds to the luxuries of
those who indulge themselves in it. These cover the
material benefits which are claimed for the manufac-
ture and sale of the article as a beverage, both to
the community and the state.
Some of the evils flowing from the use of this
article as a bev erage are these Statistics show a
much larger percentage of intemperance resulting
its use than the superficial observer would be
prepared to believe. Statistics also show that an
almost Incredible amount of the pauperism. wretch
edness and crime of the United States, and Of Great
Britain and Ireland, are produced directly or indi-
rectly by intemperance-wives and children worse
han widows and orphans are made destitute and
Sretchei by it. Great numbers whose lives of in
lustry and sobriety would have added untold
wealth to the community and state, untold comfort
o condding wives and children, otherwise consigned
o wiiowhood and orphanage. have laid down in
lishonored graves, been immured within prison
walls, persisted in drunken brawIs, or paid on the
,allows the forfeit of crime perpetrated under the
naddeuing influence of strong drink. What vast
wealth and what precious lives have been sacrificed
n the ocean in consequence of the too free use of
Intoxicating beverages by officers and men
Inc goCu may De SuihmCi up IN the increase or
he wealth Of a comparatively small number of men,
nd a corresponding increase perhaps to the state in
Is additional revenue, and the pleasure derived
its use Toy the community. Y
The evils are SO great they can hardly be told.
'ut the state loses more in its direct appropriations
II almhouses, prisons, luuauc asylums. the punish
Ieut OF crime, and the additional civil and police
rendered necessary for this purpose in conse- /
ueuce OF in eWpeTaHce, than 1t derives TO its treas
~ from its excise duties on the article, besides the
.eath which all this destroyed muscle, sinew aud
ltellect would have created TO the community and ,
say nothing Of the happiness. which can
OF be estimated hy money, which sObriety and
ldusuy would have brought along with it. II
Measures adapted 20 bring the greatest good TO the
rcatest number are socially AMI politically wise-to 7
more such measures Is neither statesmuulke nor |
Use. To my mind 1t l. as clear As the light that the L
sc of alcoholic liquors as Il bererdge Is so much
.Ore productive of evil than good, that the statesman
social economist of expansive views viii discOur-
,e them 70 the extent Of his ability. Their only
appropriate place Is on the shelf OF the apothecary,
the laboratory of the chemist, and FOR use in me I
Ianical arts-as a beverage never.
If II be said that the evils are acknowledged to be u
reat, and result only from an abuse Of the article,
would reply that as a fact they DO uitcays 50 result.
nd pray what good ever results from their use ex-
OF in the momeutary qualification Of the palate :
great and overwhelming evils as Il fact UarOrMiy
from the use OF any article without any cor
spending substantial good, the phi.anthrophISt and
g statesman Of enlarged views should alike dis
urage and discard its use.
Tried by The rule OF weighing the evil and the good. and the -
eats-t good u the greatest number, l apprvhend that the Z.
,IC-yue>t viii not lie the one wEgI l. judged HaTrow-ullritd n
h, views. bat quite the reverse. The judgment that lIa- -