The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-12
Prohibition and Public Sentiment.
LETTER FROM do LEWIS.
To the Editor of the Press:

To the Editor of the Press:
Even if we assume that by no other means
than the prohibitory law, can dram shops be
closed, we are all prepared to admit that the
law is like mans hand, a capital instrument
for throatlng this enemy, but worth nothing
unless there be behind the hand. a vigorous
arm and body.
During my recent sojourn in your state, l
found on every hand the conviction that those
social, moral and religious agencies, which
alone can develop vital public sentiment, had
been neglected. 1.-THE Reform Clubs which
like the ''Maine Law" originated in your state,
is a distinct testimony to the existence of
conscious defect in moral measures. With
twenty-three years of prohibitory legislation
and three hundred dram shops in Bangor what
other inference is possible.
| constantly hear it stated that the law itself
is an educator and so the temperance orator
cries aloud on all occasions for its enforcement,
believing that if this cry be sufficiently repeat
ed the desired result will be reached. do not
believe that demanding the enforcement of the
prohbtory law will vitalize public sentiment.
think no one imagines that if the law had
been enacted fifty years ago, demand for its
enforcement repeated no matter how often,
would have developed any other public senti-
ment than prejudice and opposition. To-day,
even in the State of Maine, the most advanced
in regard to temperance i'll the worlds the peo-
pie are not determined to have the law en-
forced. The difference between the present
public sentiment in Bangor, for example, and
that which would instantly enforce the prohb-
itory law, I may give in the recent struggle of
town in the West Let me take the city of
Mt. Vernon in Ohio. For many years the
friends of temperance in that beautiful city
had demanded the enforcement of the "Aaair
Liquor law" and the passage of legal enact
ment against the sale of wine, ale, beer and
cider. Petitions had been sent to the common
council, committees had waited upon that body
but no attention had been paid to their prayers
The women's temperance movement within a
few weeks 50 revolutionized the public sentiment
of Mt. Vernon that when party of men and
women went to the common council demand
ing the passage of local prohibition, the Mayor
and Councilmen promised to consider it. The
committee said "No, gentlemen, we will. have
the enactment now, if you please. They
would think of it, and refer the matter to a
committee. The leader of the visiting party
quietly said: "Gentlemen, we have come to
demand the passage of the enactment. here
and now. Within few minutes brief pro-
hibitory law was framed, passed and the May
or's official signature affixed. The law was
Immediately and thoroughly enforced.
was happy to find in your state many per-
sons who were looking most hopefully to the
earnest prayer and work of the reform clubs
and the women's Temperance movement for the
development of public sentiment, which APP
pealing to the officers for the thorough enforce
ment of your prohbitory laws, shall not ap-
peal in vain.
am, my dear sir, yours very truly. i--i
Do LEWIS.