The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-04-17
Temperance Topics.
THE BRIDGTON NEWS ON THE LICENSE BOOM


| THE BRIDGTON NEWS ON THE LICENSE BOOM
FRANC.
1t is by no means strange that man who
thinks that in any event "a strict license law
would accomplish more than Il prohibitory
law for the suppression of the liquor traffic,
should express hostility to the proposed con
sttutional amendment. None but prohibitions
| lists are expected to support it; as none but
| those favoring the license system will oppose
| it. The amendment il ''cean cut" and will
definitely test the sentiment of our voting pop
ulation AS between the principle of license and
| of prohibition. And so the recent '.boOmer-
ang' of an avowed license organ in Bangor.
| quoting eN-chief Justice Appleton As hostile to
| the prohlbltory amendment. counts for little
| so far as the merits of the question are con-
| cerned. But no one who has any regard for
| the opinions of the venerable eX-chef justice
and at the same time Il knowledge of the
| common->cnSc principles upon which laws and
| constitutions are founded will take any stock
in the statement that the eN-udge has given it
as his opinion that the prohibitory clause in the
| constitution would annul existing prOhibitorv
| legislation. or that it would neceSsitate that
| each successive legislature enact special pro-
| hibitory statuteS The idea is 100 absurd for
respectful consideration; and the >eIf-con>titut-
ed reporter of decisions who has made up this
"oplnlon from irresponsible street gossip as
to what the venerable eX-chief Justice thinks
upon the subject has perpetrated an indignty
| which deserves the >evere>t cen>ure.
| THE SOMERSET REPORTER on THE AMEND
MENT.
| While there is a difference of opinion in the
| minds of temperance men and even life long
| prohibiton>t> in regard to the probable effect
of the adoption Of the amendment, whether it
will really aid the cause or strengthen the law.
we think there is no difference Of opinion in re-
gard to the effect its rejection would have.
Maine has been looked up to is the home Of
| the law, the citadel Of prohibition. consequent
| ly defeat in Maine would have greater >igniti-
cance than defeat in any other State and the
/ enemies of the principle would be willing to
| pay higher price for il in Maine than in any
| other State: therefore We may reasonably look
| for determined opposition to the adoption of
| the proposed amendment. and it will moi be at
all strange to see the opponents of the measure
| well supplied with ''the ~incWS of war contri-
buted by liquor manufacturers and dealers of
other States.
| MoRltELL on TEMPERANCE MEN.
Just as soon Is the authorities commence
| prosecutions under the liquor law. it is very
easy TO tell who are the real friends of the law.
! The bona-iide rum men are always pcr>l>tcntlN
and consistently out->pokcn, and they are only
| a little madiel than common: but the class of
men who drink on the >lv. al only occasionally.
| who usually are opposed to thr grog-shopS, or
| pretend to be. show their Cuipts. and commence
| >neerng AT the officers. or the way the thing j.
| done. or retail all the scandal they can against
| temperance men. These are the mcane>t and
worst eneme. temperance has, for square
edged, out->poken rllm->cller is more to be hon
| orrtl. and less to bu feared, than Il mtalV-
mouthcd. WeIl-drc>>rd. pretended friend OF law
and order and temperance. who when the
4 cause needs help thr most, lends a!d and COM
| fort to its enemies. by Sueer> and inuntndOt>,
| if he dare not do worse. We like Il straight
| rum man better than Il mlh-and-Water one.
| LGardinrr Home journal.