Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-06

tive OF all that most dpDlOre. that Mother
the philanthropist nor the statesman can
ignore the demand for their suppression, To
erapple effectively with an evil So interwoven
with the love of gain, the appetites, the preju.
dices and the social habits of the people, and
to which so many in high social standing are
welded, is in some respects, an unwelcome
duty, and reouires courage and devotion which
MANY good neonle shrink from exerc;s;po
The work necessary to restrict this evil to
the smallest possible limits belongs primarily.
and perhaps chiefly. to the domain of what is
termed moral effort Still experience shows,
and all, or nearly all the people of this State
concede that in this as well as in our efforts
against all other vices and crimes, the aid of
legislative enactments is indispensable. The
only question is as to the kind of legislation
best calculated to produce the desired result.
For centuries the traffic in Intoxicating
drinks has been the subject of restrictive leg
islation in every christian nation-the laws
being more or less stringent according to the
public opinion of the times. Sometimes CONF
munties and governments have sought to pro-
tect themselves from the evils of the traffic by
licensing only such persons as possessed NOR
al character, which in the opinion of the au-
thorities qualified them for the trade. Some
times large sum has been required as q
license fee for the purpose of reducing the
VI places WncTe DQuOrS were 10 ne
sold; thus discouraging their use by higher
prices and greater Inconvenience in obtaining
them. Sometimes relief and protection have
been sought by the entire prohibition of the
traffic, except for certain specified purposes,
For more than forty wears the attention of the
people of this country has been given TO the
traffic and the long train of evils inseparably
connected with it,.
Many laws have been passed by all the
States upon this subject, all intended to pre-
vent or limit the sale. In MANY of the States
the laws are very stringent against it. In two
or three, a clause in their constitution forbds
the licensing of the trade: and, in as many
more, liquor sellers are held responsible for
all damages to individuals and society result
ing from it.
After wears of discussion. Maine adopted
the policy of prohibition in 1851. and. with
the exception of one or two wears, il has been
continued with remarkable unanimity
This legislation is not intended to interfere
improperly with the personal habits of indi-
viduals. 1t only seeks to prohibit public
| trade, which in the opinion OF a large portion
| of our people-perhaps all-is a public mis-
| chief. Nor does it attempt to dictate what
we shall drink more than the laws against the
sale of diseased, poisonous, or otherwise un-
healthy articles of food, dictate what we shall
sale, not the drinking or eating. The laws
of prohibition upon brothels. gambling houses
impure books and pictures houses of ill fame
and tppling shops, all res. upon the same
principle, viz that these trades are incon-
sistent with the public welfare, which it is not
only the right but the duty of the goyernm, mt
to provide for in all legitimate wavs, There
is, and can be, no difference of opinion among
intelligent men as to the effect of the liquor
traffic upon the prosperity of the State, and
the happiness and welfare of the people. 1t
is in direct hostility to all the interests of the
country. No man can rightfully claim that
trade so injurious in its effect, should be
permitted to exist for his profit or accemmo-
dation. Every man is bound by his duty to
society and the State to subordinate his per-
sonal preference and interests for the general
good.
If the principles have thus briefly stated
are correct, it follows that it is the duty of the
State to enact and enforce, and of all good
citizens to obey and sustain such laws as will
most eifectually prevent the traffic. 1t is not
necessary to argue this question further before
body of intelligent, thinking men like this
Ifany have doubts on this subject, they would
am confident, be removed by careful COM
parison OF the localities in this State where the
law is enforced, with places having a similar
lation does not exist.
The present law, where it is enforced, is, so
far as can judge, as effective in the suppress
sion of the traffic as are our other criminal
laws against the crimes they are intended to
prevent. In ma aiority of counties the law
appears to be well executed with very
favorable results. Whether any further
legislation in regard to the law or its exc
cutipn is necessary or expedent, is for
the legislature to determine. commend the
whole subject to your careful consideration ;
reminding you and the people of the State
that while recognizing the law as necessary
auxiliary in our efforts against intemperance,
we should not neglect to use all the moral in
fiuence within our reach to create and main
tain "A correct public sentiment on this subject !;
for on this the existence and enforcement OF
the laws and the good we hope to see accom-
plished through these efforts depend.
POPULATION AND EMIGRArIo..
The Census just taken discloses some un-
welcome facts which demand your serious
consideration. The increase of our popula-
tion during the last decade was very small,
and compares unfavorably with that of pre-
ceeding decades. This may be accounted for
in hy lnsSps in tho nd do