The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-06-07
The Great Drink Question,
As Raised by Israel in the Wilderness, and
Echoed by "the Thirsty Multitude" in
the State of Maine.

[Sermon by Rev. f. S. Philbrook OF the
Baptist Church, Belfast, sunday May 20
1906.
In the wear of our Lord 1861, this
country was agitated by great question
which threatened to reno the natlon IN
twain. Should the institution OF slav-
cry continue? This mighty question
crowded all other questions TO the wall;
and over it nearly three million men en-,
gagged in a bloody conflict, which lasted
four wears. In its solution, immense
treasure was sacrificed and rivers of
blood were shed. Toward the close of
the year 1862 President Lincoln issued
that immortal document the emanclpa-
ton proclamation which liberated four
million bondmen and abolished slavery
root and branch No compromise with
such an Ubiquitous institution could be
made. Abolition, or enforced prohi-
bition," was the only remedy which
could avail.
A question of equal, if not greater,
Importance is before the nation today.
This question involves the manufac-
ture, sale and use of intoxicating
liquors. A more terrible slavery than
physical servitude is threatening the
nation. At it's height, the Civil War
cost three million dollars day. The
liquor bill of this country now amounts
to four million dollars day; and for
years past strong drink has cost the
nation upwards of three million dollars
a day. In that terrible conflict some
thing like half million. men were kill
ed or injured. The ravages of intern
perance are equally fatal In this time
of peace and prosperity an army of
men approximating one hundred thous
and in number is slain annually by the
rum demon. Nearly three million boys
out of every generation go into the sa-
looms hopper of death. And what solu-
ton shall be brought to this question?
Is it possible to compromise gulltless
ly with such an institution? There can
be only one answer: economics, moral
itv, religion, all demand abolition,
which is enforced prohibition" He
who advocates anything else stains his
hands in human blood.
The children of Israel were journey
ing from Egypt to the promised land:
They had been miraculously delivered
from the bondage of Pharaoh and led
through the waters of the Red Sea; but
after three days in the wilderness they
forgot their great dellveranceS and their
high destiny, and began to complain.
"And the people murmured against
Moses, saying, What shall we drink: "
And their murmuringS leave echoes in
the doleful words of discomfort which
we hear at the present time. There
S N Iced remarkable similarity to be
traced between the complaint of the
ancient people in the wilderness and
the growllngs of the liquor fraternity
and their sympathiZers III the State Of
Maine to-day
We, as State, have escaped from the
Egypt of a legaliZed traffic We left the
dark land of the rum Pharaoh, and
crossed the sea of temperance ieglsla-
ton in 1851, when the prohibltory law
was enacted. Before this law received
the signature of the Governor on June
2nd of that memorable year, there were
fourteen distileries III the city of Port
land, and whole ship loads OF molasses
were converted into rum which was
sold at six cents a pint. ''Drunken-
hess, says an authority, was common
and passed unnotiCcd on the street, un-
less the drunkards were obtru5lve, OF
helpless. Drinking was an accompanl-
ment of funerals and weddings, and
drunkenness on holidays claimed d con-
siderable portion of the adult popula-
law was felt immediately. There was
a great reduction in the public expenses
resulting from the decrease in pauper-
ism and crime. In 1856, however, IL
= cense law was substituted; but the peo-
pie had found the benefits of prohibit
ton. and in 1888 the prohibitory law
was re-enacted This was done by d
vote of 12S to IS in the legislature; and
the action was sustained by an i'm
mense popular majority. On Septem-
Der s, 1884, by vote of I0,630 to 23,65S
the people of Maine elevated the pro-
hlbitory law and made it a part of the
fundamental or constitutional law, say
ing, The manufacture of Intoxicating
liquors, not including cider, and the
sale and keeping for sale of intoxica-
ting liquors, are, and shall be forever
prohibited
There followed a period of compare
tive inactivity. The people seemed to
think the law secure and the work
done. They permitted property owners
to house vice unmolested. Liquor sell
lers were allowed to serve as jurors.
Defaulted bonds were not always or
often sued Judges substituted fines
for Jail sentences and punched cases,
sherltts enforced the law OF detied the
law at discretion" and attorneys kept
their ears not to the statute book but
''to the ground" The dominant party
professed prohibition and pracliced
nulllfcation. But of late there have
been indications that the great sober
multitude" is bestirring itself and about
to arise in Its might. The last State
election turned fairly OH the issue Of
the enforcement OF the liquor laws.
Hon. William T. Cobb, as the Republi-
can candidate, took d frank and manly
stand. Publicly and privately he
pledged himself sacredly to enforce to
the full extent of his ability, if elected,
the prohibitory law. From this posi-
ton he has not swerved an inch. He
has been faithful to his trust. If
candidate of the Prohibition party had
been elected, it is difficult to see how he
could or would have done more for the
cause of law enforcement. In the line
of his duty, and in observance of his
solemn promise and sacred oath,
Governor Cobb gave his influence to the
Sturgis Bill and his support to the
Sturgis commission. And never be
fore in the history of this State CT OF
any State has liquor law been better
OF more faithfully enforced than has
our ''Maine law during the past
months. There is probably not an open
bar in the State. We still! have liquor