The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-06
From the Chicago Tribune, March IS, 1867
The Prohibitory Liquor Law.

We have already published in our columns
a speech delivered in this city by one of the
gentlemen engaged in promoting the cause
of temperance, in which H." -
strong prohibitory liquor law was advocated,
and in which it was promised that the issue
should be introduced into state politics. We
have published also a communication IN re-
nlv to that speech, and to-day we make room
for the testimony taken before the Massachu-
sets legislative committee upon that subject.
| The testimony of number of the most en-
| inent scholars divines, physicians and scien-
| tific men of New England is given, and its
| general tenor is that such law is produc-
tive of no good, but of much harm that 1t
| cannot be enforced; that it demoralizes pub
| lie sentiment, that, In the language OF the
| Rev. Dr. Peabody, Kit causes perjury, hypo-
| crisy and general adulteration of liquors"
| That it had the effect of increasing intern
perance was boldly charged by clergymen
| who in times past had been strenuous advo-
Gates of the. Maine-law, and who now cand-
| idly confessed their error. The testimony OF
| the physicians is of peculiar interest. 1t
| controverts much of the peculiar theory oh
the subject.
The result of this testimony is conclusive
| that such a law cannot be enforced. That
after twelve wears of the most earnest en-,
0eayOr, the SaiP Oh 1QuoT HAS HOb btCl uiHi'
inlshed, that It's use has been increased; that
its public sale having been discontinued, Its
use by young men and others organized IL
private clubs, has been augmented, and tha
while towns have been spared the evil, anC
have lost the revenue of licensed shops, al
the real evils of intemperance have in NJ
wise been diminished, but possibly increased
in consequence of the law.
The history of the prohibtory liquor law
or the 'Maine-Law,' as it is generally styled
is an unbroken series of failures to entorc
e it, and of failures to accomplish any good re
d suits by the attempts to enforce it. If me-
would all discontinue the use of liquor, Their
would be no occasion for such law; bu
when the great majority of mankind refus
: to discontinue its use, and will use it, law Q
|. no law, we hardly see any end that Is to b
" gained by an attempt at legislative prohlb
II ton. Those who vote for such law do nc
i live up to it. Thousands of persons, wht
$ from various causes, vote for such laws,
7 so, intending to violate them by buying an
It using the very article they vote to prohibit t
others. The discontinuance of the publ
t, sale of liquors increases the illicit sales tn
e, discontinuance of public places for the pu
&c chase of liquor, leads to the adoption of
y pocket-hask as part of the personal requir,
h ments of men. Prohibitory laws are not II
re spected by the community at large. Publ
sentiment is lenient to its violations, and pull
he lie sentiment is on the side Of the peso
,e prosecuted. Admit that drinking liquor is
- vice, and a grievous one-but can vice b
+ prohibited by law, or can virtue be enforce
X by act of the legislature? Drunkenness is
d, crime against society for which the guilt
to party may be punished. The use of intox
eating liquors leads to drunkenness. Liquo
q is purchased or manufactured by those VIII
!. drink it; therefore it is urged that to prever
IS the crime of drunkenness the sale and MAJ
IS ufacture of liquor should be prohibited
Or There are, however, other crimes which whe
committed are punishable by law, but til
Is direct agencies leading to their commissio
y are not disturbed. Forgery is a crime, t
commit which a man must learn to read an
Y. write; should reading and writing be prob
rs bited by law? Men commit murder with pi
lie tolls and knives; should the sale of pisto
n and knives be prohibited? Men and wome
}. who ride on the cars often get killed; shoul
u the construction and use of railroads be di
continued? Steamboat boilers explode, ofte
e to the great destruction of life; should Il