Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-13


in the Home for Soldiers Orphans in the
CITY of Bath. Judging from what saw
in a brief visit recently made 10 this in
Nitution. lis affairs arc managed cconom'
ically and well. The ladies' connected
with the Home are entitled to the graft
tudc of The people for their devotion to
The children of our fallen heroes. The
lives of those on whom these unfortunate
children depended Tor support were given
for Us. The most we can do for them Is
blu little compared with the debt we owe
them.
TEMPERANCE AND PROHIBITION.
The evils resulting from the use OF in
tOxicaling drinks are so destructive To al
the highest interests of the State, and SD
promo,iyc of all we deplorc, that neither
the phiIanthropst nor the statesman can
ignore the demand for their suppression.
To graphic effectively with an evil SO in.
with the love OF gain, the ap-
peites, the prejudiceJ and the social
habits of the people, anil to which so
many in high social standing are welded,
i; ia some respects, IN unwelcomc duty,
and requires courage and devotion which
many good people shrink tom exercising.
Tie work necessary 10 restrict this evil
to the smallest possible limits belongs
primarily. and perhaps chiefly, 10 the
domain of what il termed moral otfort.
Still experience shows. and all, or nearly
all tho people OF this State concede that in
this as we'll rs in our efforts against all
other vices and crimes, the aid ol legis-
lativc cnactments is indispensable. The
only question isas to the Kind of legislation
best calculated TO produce the desired re-
suit.
For centuries The traffic in intoxicating
drinks has BEEN the snhicct OF restrictive
legislation in every christian na,ion-tht
laws being more or less stringent accord
ing to the public opinion "f the times.
Sometimes communities and government,
have sought To protect themselves from
the evils of The traffic by licensing only
such persons rs possessed moral character
which in The olinlun Oi The authorities
quaiiicd them for the trade. Sometimes
Il large snm has been required ~ 4
license Zee for the purpoSc at reducing
the number OF places where liquors were
To be sold; thus di,couraging their use
by higher prices and greater inconven
icnces in obtaining them. SomclimcS
relief and protection have been sought by
the entire prohibition of The r;flic except
for certain specified purposes. For more
than forty years The attention Of thn
pcop.c Of this country has been given 10
the traffic and The long train %! evils in
scpnrabIy connected with il.
Many laws have been passed by all the
States upon this subject. all intended To
pIcycn, ar limit the sale. In many OF
the States the laws are very Stringent
AGAINST it, In two or thee u clause in
their constitution lnrbi,is The licensing of
the trade and, in rs many more. liquor
sellers are held responsible Cor all
damages TO individuals az society re-
sullng from ii.
After years of discussion, Maine adopt
cd the policy OF prohibition in 1851, and,
with the exception of one or two years,
il has been continued with remarkable
unanimity.
This legislation Is no. intended to in.
tcrlcre improperly with persona habits
of individuals. II only seeks 10 prohibit
a public trade. which in the opinion ct Il
iargc portion OF our pcope.-pcrhaps all
is a public mischief. Nur does 1t at
tempt To dictate what we shall drink
more than the laws against ,hc sale ol
diseased. poisonous, "r otherwise ua.
healthy articles of Good. dictate what we
shall eat. In both eases, the laws are
against the sale, not the drinking or eat
ing. The laws of prohibition upon broth
els, gambling houses. impure b"ok> and
pictures. houses of iii fame and tiIpling
shops, all rest upon the same principle,
viz that these trades are Inconsistent
with the public welfare. which il is not
only the right but the duty ot the govern
men; to provide Tor all legitimate WAYS.
There j., and caI ne, no difference oil
opinion among Intelligent men rs To the
liquor traffic upon the prosperity OF The
state, and the happiness anl welfare ct
the people. 1t Is in direct hostility to all
the Interests ol The country. No man
can righliulIy claim that trade 50 niuli.
Gus in It's effects, should be permitted to
exist for his profit or accumulation.
Every man is bound by his duty to society
and the State to subordinate his personal
preference and interests for the general
good.
If the principles have thuS briefly
stated are correct, it follows that it /, the
duty of the Slate to enact and enforce,
and of all good citizen, 10 obey and
sustain such laws a. will mOsI ctfcctuaIly
prevent the TAI iiic and the only question
remaining is, whether prohibition or somG
other Kind of legislation is best calculated
to do thi, It i not necessary To argue
this question further before a body of in.
tcllicent, thinking men like this. II any
have doubts on this subject, they would,
am con!id ut, he remove by a careful
comparison # the locailc, in this State
where the law is enforced, with places
having similar population in StaIca
where pruhihhory legislation does nnL
exist.
The present law. where it is enforced
i. 80 lat aS can judge, ~ effective IL
the suppression of the tr.Iific IL are our
other criminal laws against the crime
they are ilteuded 10 prevent. In a ma
iority OF the counties The law appear; t.
he we'll executed with very favorable 10.
suits Whether any lulthci legislation III
regard to the law or is execution Is nee
es>arY or cxpedient. i, for the legislature
To determine: commend the whole sub.
ipct to your careful consideration: re
minAing YOU that the people Oft the State,
while they recognize the law ~ Il ncccs
sary auxiliary in our efforts against i'll
we should not nrg'ect Ia
use all the moral Influence within ON
reach to create and maintain Il correct
public sentiment on this subject; for on
this the existence aud enforcement Of the
laws aud the good We hope to see accom-
plishcd through these efforts depend.