Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-12-10

from The use OF intoxicants, and showing
Nnat grave menace II now IL TO private
saa spcist good, he came TO the subject Of
praeticsi measures OF reform.
here THERE are two distinct types of
sentiment. Que l. he doctrine * radi.
ca prohibition, which would destroy the
evil, root and branch, Immediately and
~ iegIrlatton. The other /. the method
os reform which may be distinguished a.
policy OF
REGULATION AND REPRESSION.
II believe We should all bs better of
10. dag II there were no LIQUOR made or
sold Tor use a. beverage. Property,
health, happiness and morals would
VASTLY gain by II. Nevertheless / cannot
hope to see this result quickly attained.
EVEN " all the ladies OF the Womanis
Christian temperance union were to In
vest In hst-hets IL would not greatly
hasten the mtilsnnium Of sobriety. The
evil u as old IS recorded history. The
virus has taken deep root in human
nature. The habits OF great Glasses OF
people are not so plastic as to be nodded
by every weii-intentioned touch. IL re-
qnirss considerable time for the multi
tudes to cease TO do evil and learn to do
well.
Besides, there are 40 many conditions
that day drive men directly toward
intempsrance that the effective reform
ixation OF our social life. Tho physician
docs not merely apply a. salve TO the
surface pimples when treating q child
for the measles. He studies the total
physical condition OF the child. and
treats IL constitutionaliy.
"Intsmpersnce In the result, more or
less, of q constitutional disorder In So
ciety. Men take 10 drink because they
lack inelinations for higher things; they
are out OF range of saoer pleasures aud
am bit ions. They lack taste for health
fuI rccreations, ana often the opportunity
for these IL not at hand. We would have
to cuumerste a long list OF reasons why
this destructive form OF indulgence is
resorted to.
the work OF reform, therefore. IL not
the mere matter Of encountering a single
Toe. His name Ia legion. We have no
lees task before us than the great task
OF social regeneration; result that may
be expected to follow the awakening and
cultivation OF mans spiritual nature.
WHAT LAW WILL DO.
LAW will help US only so far ~ Law
represents the actual integrity and work
ing convictions OF the people. A live
temperance sentiment must be created.
And for this purpose there ought to be
frequent agitation OF this question ~
living issue OF politics. A yearly battle
under system Of local option would be
the beat possible arrangement to create
aud secure The action OF this public senti-
nsout. state prohibitory Law IL =
| handicap to the temperance cause, and II
would be . great gain In this light to
| erase II from our statute books.
There must also be provisions for
social recreation to take the place of
the saloon. The people must be edu-
rsizd to and satisfaction In other aud
harmless modes OF amusement. |
/ "a 10 fn rf At a.,
church should be greatly brosdsued to
minister to the neeus OF the people In
| helping to wholesome pleasures looking
Eo&aFd a suunder morality. Our dlStiuc
/ sivsiy religious endeavor here has also
| Is necessary place Tn the scheme OF re-
iorm. True pssty makes Tor temperance
/ aud ali other virtues; therefore wee
| should foster the knowledge and the
| sorsntp Of God.
any whoio meaning IL that temperance
/ reform shalt never be attained Ia any con.
siderable degree IS single aud isoisted
I result. " ben IL comes, Il will be ala inci-
| dent in general scheme OF better social
| conditions, and OF quicsened intellectual
| aud spiritual lie. Every man y no WORKS
/ Tor any good moral result, Whatever u I've,
"a be plug likewise 10 bring in the day OF
| sobristy.
LAW MUST ne oBEYED.
"As TO the enforcement Of the laws upon
| our statute books, there ought to he but
Que opinion among well -intentioned and
intelligent citizens. Even those who dc
not believe Ia state pruhibitory law
should certainly be sufficiently loyal 10
the Ideals OF government to desire to
.se Law revered, Deliberate iaw lessuess
makes for every sort OF political democrat
! izaTian. To override one law tends in a
measure to weaken the authority OF every
| law. IL looks toward a state OF anarchy,
"Mslue has acquired tainted name
Throughout the pstton on account OF tbs
deliberate contempt Of certain la~G. i,
l. q bad policy, fn every way Improbable
~ state prohibition Is good law, let US
enforce II. aud get the benefit OF II. II II
he a bad law, aud impraeticsole let Us try
tn enforce lt, aud thereby prove what
W. tth there "a or l. not In ". But let u'
not be content TO make IL q matter OF q
Joke.
Ell IL IL not what we want. then Han
cock county should come to an under
standing with itself. and make Itself
inadfv heard ia the legislature asking for
revision.
In the meantime, citizens should give
their hearty support to public officials
/ VINO are only discharPiug their sworn
duty tn attempting TO make this iaw
sonnet ming more than mere dead letter
uppn our atstute-hookr."