The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-07-22
For Governor,
Gil ARIES W. ROBERTS,
Hypocrisy in Temperance.
of Bangor.

The claim made by the Republican party
OF Maine, that its members are the only
true and reliable advocates of the virtue
Of temperance, and therefore alone wor-
thy to he entrusted with the administra-
ton OF the state government, has in it
an exuberance of impudence that is very
amusing, Still more so is the charge that
their political opponents are welded to
the use OF alcoholic beverages-or advo-
Gates of " free rum, is the elegant phrase
ology of Republican organs. 1t is an old
device of radical men to assail all who do
not fall in with their peculiar notions as
immoral and vicious SANDER is weapon
that is held to be very effective by certain
persons who are as unthinking as they are
noisy Moderate and conservative men
IN all times have been thus denounced.
The Saviour himself when upon earth
was assailed with the cry that he was
wine-bbber and Il friend of publicans and
sinners, because in pursuit of his great
mission he associated with the people and
concerned to their habits Denuncation
and fanticism have generally gone hand
IN hand in the affairs of this world and
neither have accomplished anything wor-
thy OF mention in the way of reform.
The liquor prohibitionists ought to be
aware by this time that they pursue
chimera. Unless all reason founded on
human experience be false, they must
utterly fail History may be searched in
VAN tor an instance IN which we'll estab-
Ilshed article of diet, or indulgence OF per-
sonal habit akin to it, has ever been aban-
doned by people. Customs and habits
have force which no statute can over
throw If they are brought in contact,
the habit will be found to have the
greater vitality. and will outlive the
other.
Experience, statistics and all 1r1n means
o! forming correct opinion in this matter
go to prove that the correct policy in re-
spect to sales Of liquor is one of regula-
ton and not prohibition. That it cannot
be prohibited the quarter of century's
experience in Maine and other states
abundantly proves Men have been ar
rested, indicted, arraigned, tried, convict
ed, fined, imprisoned, and still they will
sell liquors, as long as there are buyers.
Popular connections have arisen from at
tenpts to enforce this impossible law,
men have been beaten, manned and kill
ed and will continue to be so long as the
law IS attempted to be enforced The
history OF the past in this respect will be
history OF the future, even though Neal
BOWS mtimated death penalty be tackled
ON to the other absurdities of the enact
ment
1t is shame and disgrace that the
Christian virtue Of temperance should be
thus hypocri;ically prostituted to the pur-
poses OF political party Temperance
IS virtue which men of all parties and
all religions must acknowledge and ap-
prove. And no one will in his heart ad-
NIT that it can be best promoted, or pro-
NOTED at all, by the manipulatons of
political party
A prohibitory law, if made in good
faith and honestly administered, would
fail of its purpose-but it would receive
the respect to which sincerity is entitled
The present liquor law of Maine can nei-
Their achieve success nor win respect. 1t
is not an honest law, nor is it honestly adj
mnlstered The law is hypocrtically be-
frlended by men who are az hard drinkers
as those whom it processes to reclaim
They do this because they can use it for
party purposes, and do so use it. The
professed adhesion of the republican par
ty to temperance has that extent, and no
more.