The Portland daily press., 1863-12-05
Mechanics, Association.


Mechanics Association.
The question for discussion before the Me-
chanics' Association, last evening, was as fol-
lows:
hibitory law against the sale of intoxicating liquors
is the most successful method by which Intemper.
snce can be suppressed.
Mr.. Holden opened the question in the af-
firmative. He spoke of the evil of intemper-
ance, and said it was proper question of dis
cussion as to the best means of overcoming it /;
spoke of the Washingtonian movement as be-
ing well adapted 10 the circumstances that
then existed and it brought in all who could
be Influenced by it; but the time came when it
was clearly seen that there was class of men
upon whom kindness could have no power
and that forcible means must be used on such
that in all large places, there are men whose
love Of gain is paramount to every other con-
sideratiou, and for such, nothing but the strong
arm'of the law could be of any avail; that
many with controlling appetites might be
saved if the temptation was taken out of their
way, who never can be saved so long as men
are permitted to place the temptation before
them.
Mr.. Nash said that intemperance was NOR
al evil; spoke of its effects in our city; as
moral evil, he said it must be met by moral
means; spoke of the good results Of these
moral means as compared with the effects OF
law; spoke OF the success Of the Washington
ian movement upon the rumsellers; spoke of
the necessity of having the united voice of the
people, in favor of a law to secure its enforce
ment, which, in case of the Maine Law, does
not exist; spoke of the sympathy thatexisted
between the seller and drinker which pre-
vented the enforcement of law,-he therefore
contended that moral effort had been, and
would continue to be, the most successful in
saving the Incorporate.
Mr.. Beal said rumsellers were universally
In favor Of moral suasion, as they had no fear of
its interfering with their business; while they
were opposed to legal means because it could
be applied with some effect to their business:
he said as far forth as the law had been en-
forced, the temperance cause triumphed, but
when the temperance men Stacked their hand
fa taaic ahSNtiou, thS CtdiC was OftTIuu WITH
drunkenness, affording the best evidence that
not the law, but the failure to apply it as we
should, is the cause of the present alarming
state of things.
Mr.. Pattcn considered inteinperance great
er evil than civil war, giving his reasons for
so believing; he thought the law could not be
executed until public sentiment is better edu-
Gated; all are in favor of temperance, but all
are not ready and probably would not be I'M
til some great crime is committed to come up
to the work, even while intemperance is alarm
ingly on the increase; spoke of the young
mems club-rooms; said the law could not be
relied upon until we had different public
sentiment
Mr.. Walton said the only trouble was, that
there was want Of concert of action in en-
forcing the law; said no man would give up a
profitable business by moral suasion; said the
Maine Law was a failure only as the Ten Com
inandments were failure, as neither were re-
garded. He said he was converted from a
moral suasionist to legal suasionist by seeing
the men the Washingtonans were trying to
save, dragged down again by those whose love
OF money destroyed all regard for their fellow
men, or the sufierings OF women and chill
dren.
Mr.. Barnes said no one proposed TO apply
legal suasion to the inebriate, but to the man
who placed the temptation in the way of those
who had an overpowering appetite; he spoke
OF what the law had done when fully enforc-
ed In this III nj .ta =
Neal Dow, comparing it with the state of
things since then, had been Il failure TO en-
force the law.
Mr.. John c. Kimbal asked how we are to
IND out whether or not public sentiment is
up to the sustaining point OF the law; thought
t was not necessary to wait for great crime;
that we could not rely upon spasmodc
movement, brought about by an excitement
among the people; gave history of the man
ner in which the law was enacted, and eniorc-
ed few years ago; thought there had been
some imprudence, which may have tended to
bring the law into disrepute; said that it was
made political question, and thereby the
friends Of temperance were divided, and the
law was rednced in its efficiency and not
broad enough in its Jurisdiction; said nothing
hut the force of law would induce rumseller
to give up his business.
Mr.. Kimball said there was but one opinion
an regard to the evil of intemperance, and
that the present apparent Indifference depends
more upon the fact that the condition of our
country, growing out of the rebellion, oyer
shadows everything else; that while the ener-
gy of the people was devoted to the suppress
sion of the rebellion, we could not successfully
enforce the liquor law, if it could be enforced
under any more favorable circumstances
Said he did not drink liquor himself, and used
his influence TO induce others TO give UP
drinking, especially those in his employ, and
had frequently been successful
The question was laid on the table for dis
cussion at the next meeting.
LAUGHING GAs.-Deering Hall was well
filled last evening, and the enthusiasm of the
audience was intense. A continual roar OF