Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-08-26

grown frodf thild6ucd !ithoft sh6Sttmp-
tation to frequenfty drink and hence
most of thsM 1evsc feel thet liquor ~
helpful to life; health, prosperity or even
enjoyment. But in the large places the
conditions have been less favorable for
enforcement, +and liquor hap been sold.
But even here probably the'people drink
much less than those living in any city
having licensed saloons. ~
The conduct Of the Maine men who at
tend our great political gatherings clearly
indicate that there is strong temperance
sentiment among our people generally,
and q very large number OF practical tenn
perance men among those taking active
part in public affairs.
At the republican State convention at
Bangor this year there were more than
/ 800 delegates in attendance, and hum
dreds of those who were not delegates.
Probably not less that 5000 pubiic-spirited
men were in attendance, and did not see
one who was under the influence of liquor.
OF course I do not mean 80 give the inn
preston that no liquor was drank tn ere,
for of course there was. But on the after
noon and evening Of the 18th and till
late in the afternoon of the 30th / was
in close contact with hundreds Of dele
gates, and saw not one who had been
drinking. And although l stood near
them and talked with them, yet there were
very few on whom there WAS the least
smell of liquor.
Many others observed the absence of
any signs of drinking, and spoke of it to
me. Does anyone believe that such a
state of things could be found at political
gathering in state having license law?
No. And you cannot make Maine people
generally believe that this general temper
ance sentiment and practice are not in
large measure the result Of prohibition.
Far more than nineteen-twentieths OF
the men and boys smoke. And il liquor
had been sold as freely as tobacco its use
would have been quite as common. And
but for the law it would have been sold as
tobacco is. For thsre are always men in
any community who will do almost any
thing for gain. And every little village
and hamlet would have had its drinking
and nothing would have prevented many
OF the younger ones from following on in
the same way. The occasional would
have become habitual drinkers, and in
temperance would have spread like an
infectious disease.
Prohibition has prevented this condition
of things, and are we going to be so
unthoughtful and foolish as to abandon it,
or to be persuaded that it has been no
benefit to us?
OF course / know that some writers have
been making themselves laughing stocks
by their silly misrepresentation of pro-
hibition in Maine. But we do not resent
originate with those who are vicious or
ignorant OF what they are writing about.
But it does seem as though a little re-
Election and common sense should con-
vince them that the people of Maine
would not be SO stupid as to continue any
thing which was such failure.
1t is unfortunate that prohibition should
be made political issue. But inasmucn
as it is an issue in the present campaign,
it is we'll that we have clear understand
ing Of it. Let US clearly understand that
the fight which the democratic party is
making against prohibition, in Maine is
simply and purely fight in favor Of
Maine grog-shops; fight to enable them
to do business, to make drunkards,
psupers and criminals. Are we going to
let them succeed in this wicked work?
and emphatic. r. l.. GRINDLE.