The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

i62 Thie Situppressioit of the Liqiuor Traffic.
Gottenburgh, in Sweden-where the council has prohibited the system of private profit in the sale of drink,
and where the sale of food in taverns is kept in the foreground, and the sale of liquors in the background-has
been found to work well; it is an experiment, however,
still in its infancy, and demands a constant inspection
and supervision that could hardly be applied on a general scale. The present dealers in strong drink in this
country would regard it with scarcely more favor than
theydo the principle of prohibition; and, as it proceeds
on the rule that as far as the sale of drink is checked, so
far will be the spread of sobriety and every civil good, it
is an argument for the A,doption of the fuller rule wherever
the public sentiment will uphold it. The failure of "regulation "has been attested by the social history of every
civilized country; and, in view of this established fact,
the Report of Convocation on Intemperance, having
sketched a variety of excellent palliative and secondary
measures, concludes with a recommendation that the
adoption of prohibition should be made legal wherever
the local opinion is ready to embrace it."*
4. The objection that " the rights of profierty would be iznvarded, and the nationafitnanzces injtrioiosly damaged, were the
iq]uor traffic sun]Sfressed," is one that proceeds from a misconception of the whole question. The only right of
property which the seller of intoxicating liquor can
claim is the right of ownership or occupancy, which no
one wishes to disturb; but his "right" to sell liquor is
derived from his license, which is a yearly grant, liable to
be revoked within the year if the terms are violated, and
requires to be granted afresh to the year's end, or he is
disqualified from selling strong drink. Some insist that
* The new licensing act will produce public benefit in proportion as it
diminishes drinking and inducements to it, and no further. Its best friends
do not regard it as the "settlement" which successive governments, from
1854 downwards, have promised to the country.