The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-19
The Maine Liquor Law.
AbbepiYc Press and Banner.

| AUUCVlNC (TCSS UUQ OuHtCT.
Rcv. j. L. Manin,-DEAR SIR: Vari-
Gus inquiries have been addressed to me
from the South with relation to ''Tem.
perance and Temperance Laws in
Maine," what, with your permission,
will endeavor to answer through your
valuable paper.
First, with regard to the increased use
of opium since the prohibition law
against alcoholics was passed.
/ am assured by respectable physicians
that there is an increased use of opium,
in some form or other, but they do not
connect it with the "SIaine Law" Many
persons, even ladies, use upon themselves
epidemic injections of morphine for neu-
ralgia, rheumatism, and other pains.
They have found such sudden relief, and
the operation is so simple, they take it
up for themselves, either for convenience
sake, or to save expense, and use it on
the very slightest occasion without a
thought of consequences. Some have
destroyed their constitution in this
thoughtless way. This vice does not
seem to have the slightest connection
with the influences of the Maine Law.
1t is one of the many unfortunate results
of what is called "our present civiliza-
tion."
The use of narcotics and anesthetics is
everywhere increasing among the nerv-
Gus, the diseased, the rheumatic. This
beyond question only makes bad matter
worse. 1t results largely imperfect edu-
cation. The minds Of children and
youth are consumed with SO many things
that very little is learned to good pur-
pose. That there is any increase in the
use of anasthetics or narcotics peculiar
to Maine is utterly false and destitute of
evidence.
The execution of the prohibitory law
will always vary with the character of
places and with the caprices of the times.
AS O State there is no indication Of
weakening on the maintenance of the
law. The agricultural population is
faithful to it. The manufacturers would
consider its abrogation disaster to their
industries. The clergy of all denomina-
tions are united in its support. The
medical faculty is using less and less of
alcoholic stimulants in medical practice,
although personal habits unquestionably
have influence in this regard.
Some of our cities are most atrocious
exceptions to the faithful execution of
the law. Bangor is at present in that
category. The appointed officers of civil
administration refuse to prosecute even
the most notorious offenders. Rum is
substantially free; and the law is openly
trampled upon, and the friends of law
are laughed at by the whole rum interest.
Massachusetts, capital has lively interest
in breaking down the law in Bangor and
opening up the Penobscott to the trade.
The men engaged in the traffic are men
generally of the vilest character, and yet
our appointed guardians of law shield
them. The game played upon us at
present is an infamous one and will cover
the actors with the scorn and contempt
of all good men: Notwithstanding the
large foreign and floating population,
always on the side of their worst enc
mics, the rumsellers, we are confident the
evil will be corrected at the next election.
Rum is now trying to keep its victims out
of sight but with poor success. 1 occa-
sionally meet them reeling in the street
and am insulted by them.
We hope for change. We are trying
to prepare for it. But if Bangor should
be given up as prey to the shameless
devil of rum, there will still be large
number of faithful temperance men and
women in the city, and the law will be
firmly maintained by the vast majority
of the State.
Yours sincerely,
CYRUS HAatL1N.
Bangor Tc0. Sem., May 81, 1879.