New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-19
LJOUOR LEGISLATION,

There is no fallacy more plausible yet none
more misleading, than that which cOntcmplateS
the cooperation of those who use Alcoholic
Beverages in moderation with those who
wholly reject them, in a common crusade
against what are termed the abuses of the
Liquor Traffic. The two classes are impelled
by considerations so radically, unchangeably
diverse that their temporary and Fictitious
alliance is dissolved by breath.
The States of Ohio and Illinois have recently
enacted laws which areintended to regulate the
sale of Alcoholic Liquors so AS to abolish the
more glaring abuses of that traffic. Every
seller is to be Endorsed by considerable pOr-
ton of his immediate neghbOrs is to give Sc
curity that he will reimburse every one speci-
fically injured by his sales, &C., &c. Each of
these acts seems carefully drawn, and to sub
serve its avOwed purpose so far as any license
act can. But any Liquor law that does this
is sure to provoke the memorable hostility of
those who insist that the Liquor traffic ought
to be regulated, not destroyed
On the 14th inst, the brewers, distillers,
LIQUOR dealers, &C., of Illinois met In cOnven-
ton at Springfield. The attendance was large.
A permanent organization was effected, and
Peoria designated as the focus thereof. The
Legislature was respectfully and earnestly
requested to repeal the obnoxious act; failing
that, to submit the question of repeal to a di-
rect popular vote. 1t was unanimously re-
solved that no support should be given to any
political party that would not "declare its
Opposition" to the prohibitory law. So much
was to be expected. But the natural ques-
ton, eff you repeal the present act, with
"what act will you replace it 7" was only an
swered thus:
"Resolped, That, while we abhor hobtuaI drunken
ness and the hdbhal drnkard much the so-called
Temperance men, and would. law abiding men, readily
submit reasonable and rational regulations of the
Liquor Traffic, such would make 1t felony to sell
unwholesome, aduerated liquor Of any kind, such as
would require the keeping of orderly house. and
pecialy such as would make an habitual drunkard
spOn sble for his own acts" &c.
- All which, you see, is designed to render
it more safe and more reputable to sell and
drink Liquor than it now is--that is all. When
q man has imbibed till he can't tell his head
from a demUohn, he is to be made response
BILE for his acts, though every one knows that
he is half mailman, half idiot. "Unwhole-
" some liquors" they would prOsciibe but
when we demonstrate that Alcohol itself is
- unWnOlcSOIne, anu uOcS NdSb HdIn even 10
those who imbibe it in moderate quantities.
they abruptly close the discussion. Thus their
logic limps, and their only really strong point
is their unanimous resolve to oppose and beat
any party which does not succumb to their
requirement of infcxible hostility to "sulmptu-
"ary laws There is no answering that, ex-
cept by polling a bigger vote i'll opposition
to it..
The LiQuor-dealers of Ohio held kindred
convention at Newark on the same day, and
resolved on a kindred course. Those of other
States similarly aggreved may of course fol-
low the example, and the Moderates will soon
be accounted by all of them as no better than
outright Prohibitionists. We shall be agrecably
disappointed if some of them do not bully q
Legislature into repeating one of the acts
in question before it can have had anything
like fair trial.