The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-04
Woodbury. Davis and his Prohibition
Sentiments.

ionists who were in session at Augusta
last week, that is an excellent exposition of
the spirit that runs through nearly the
whole organization. After stating his OPP
position to the restoration Of the State Po-
lice, and desire to see the law Of 1857 re-
stored, he defines his present political in
tentions as follows
Politically, believe the temperance men
of Maine stand the same as in former years.
And trust that in the future we will con-
tinue to act with the Republican party SO
far as that party will act with us. | know
not what exigencies may hereafter occur;
but at present l see no good to be gained
by temperance party.
We have had occasion to know something
of the political course Of Judge Davis since
the formation of the republican party, and
we fail to remember the time when he did
not march and countermarch according to
the orders from headquarters. The party
tickets have oftener borne the names Of
men who take their regular grog than 9TH
erwise and yet if Judge Davis ever
scratched name, it did not become public
matter This talk, by such men, Of the
possibility Of supporting temperance tick
ct, is the merest bosh in the world. If
every nominee should be carried home on
wheelbarrow, they would ignore the fact,
and 90 it bliud for supporting the party that
supports them. Such men are the decoy
ducks employed to lead the honest and we'll
meaning temperance men into the radical
net We shall continue to act with the
Republican party SO far as that party will
act with u.s., says this pourer OF oil on the
threatening waters. AS the party 'sacts with
u.s. by giving Mr.. Davis $4,000 a year as
Postmaster of Portland, it is safe to say
that it may count on ramrod cooperation
for the present.
In course of the letter alluded to, Judge
Davis INDUCES ia tilt at the medical pro-
fession Somehow there is matter Of
1acl SlaHliHd toout INC pay 0ioi"ho' XII uo
readiness to be humbugged, an aptness to
indulge in reasoning, aud to cite facts, aho ut
medical men, that this ramrod fauaticism
doesn't admire You eau have a lawyer to
take either side of this or any other ques-
ton, you can wheedle or brighten minister
into being liberal or illiberal on the liquor
uuestion-but when one Of these ramrods
leaders talks his nonsenslcal stuff to an III
telligent physician, he just laughs in his
| face So it chances that these ramrod fuss
and-feather fanatics don't like the doctors,
and that is why Mr.. Davis talks in this
wise
Outside of political and legal questions, moth
ing seems to me so worthy of special notice, as
the medical use of alcoholic liquors. | believe
| that one of the greatest obstacles we now nave
to contend with, is the use OF liquors, encOur-
aged, as it is, by the great majority OF our reg
ular physicians. Thirty years ago the medical
profession took the lead III the temperance re-
form everywhere denouncng the use Of liquors
as a prolific source Of disease. and condemning
it, even as a medicine, except in rare cases
Now very few physicians manifest any special
interest in this cause, and the practice of pre-
scribing Whskey or other alcoholic liquors in
nearly all forms of disase, Is becoming almost
universal. The habit of Indulgence IS thus
fostered, and the Of liquors to prevent or
cure real or fanced ills, is greatly encouraged.
AS a necessary consequence, our numerous
apothecary stores have become the most per-
nicious and dangerous rum shops in the State.
For this result l believe the physicians are
largely responsible When the Maine Medical
Society, instead of rebuking this practice, pub
fishes paper commencing natural wines as
food" the use OF which is beneficial to the hui
man system, we have great reason to be dis
couraged in our efforts. ] have never had much
faith in Homeopathy; but if alopathic physi-
clans continue thus to sow the seeds of intem-
perance among us, we shall be compelled TO
! turn to the more modern school, as the only
means Of saving Us from becoming nation OF
drunkards.
Solomon, who though not regular prac-
titioner, is supposed to have understood
something of medicine with the rest of his
knowledge, specially recommends strong
drink for them that are ready to perish.
The Savior himself, when he had related
the act of that impersonation of benevo-
lence, the good Samaritan, who sustained
2
the wounded stranger with wine, enjoined
on his hearers to 60 aud do likewise. And
, the professors of the healing art to-day be-
lieve that they have not gone far amlss IL
following not only these illustrious exam
ples. but their own common sense, in the
prescribing of alcoholic stimulants. 1t i;
safe to hold that the men who are specially
educated to the end that their knowledge
and experience may be of benefit TO their
fellow men, in combating diseases, ane
whose success in life is commensurate will
their victories is this field, will not deliberate
ly betray their trusts, and promote the dis
eases they are employed TO overcome. The
physicians of our State are among Its mos
intelligent, worthy and honorable citizens
This libel upon them is in accordance will
the narrow views of radicalism, which holds
that whatever is for the time the specia
object of its attack is the sole ill OF life
and that when it is overcome, all othe