The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-04-01


our temperance subscribers, and we have
also been censurcd by anIi-temperance
men for publishing articles in favor Of
temperance. We never had the vanity to
prcsumc that we could make even an APP
Proclamation towards pleasing every one
who reads our paper-lhe endless con-
traiety Of opinion on the various subjects
that engage the attention Ct the public
render tina, impossible; SO we have always
thought The best way to do, was 10 please
oursclr aud run the risk of pleasing 9TH
eys, and have been gratlied generally to
find more to approve than to ccnsure.--
The temperance question in "thcse latter
daysn affords the topic for much discus
sion in our town and throughout our
county. We thought it might be intcrcs-
ting to our readers generally 10 have tho
matter discussed in our paper, 50 we ad-
mitted articles on both sides of the -ues
ton, and shall continue to do so, so long
as they come to us in the proper spirit.
In regard TO our own views on the sub
ject, sc have to say, that we are teeto-
taller of the "s,raitcst secl;' we touch
not, taste not, handle not, intoxicating
Liquors; we believe it to be wrong to
drink or traffic in them, and hold it to be
our duty to exert oarsclf in every proper
manner TO advance the temperance cause.
We believe it to be unjust and improper
to abuse any man who does not think on
the subject as we do. 1t is iueXpedlcn' as
well as unjust. As a natural consequence
it enrages and arrays against Temperance
Societies, many men who would have
listened in good nature 10 persuasion, and
even to reproof uttered in proper and
respectful language, and who instead of
being bitter enemies OF the cause, might
have been, had the right course been pur-
sued towards them, amongst its most
prominent supporters. We have heard
men who formerly drank liquor, and have
but lately entered the temperance ranks,
use the severcst language, and apply the
harshest epithcts to those who still drink,
and sell tie poison. Nothing can be
more improper; such treatment might
have KEEP, them from signing the pledge
as it evidently docs those whom they u
buse.
All meh do not see the impropriety of
certain courses of conduct at the same
time. Some require much more light
than others--habit, education and the
"muddy spectacieS" of interest, all tend
to keep them in the dark, and we have not
the slightest doubt that had many of tie
present most vociicrous advocates of
temperance engaged at tavern keeping ten
years ago, (and at that time they could
have done it without any compunctlon,)
they would have been in that business
still; 50 great is the influence that sCli-in-
lcrcst and circumstances have over the
minds OF men. We repeat therefore, that ii
is improper and unjust for tempe ance
men, and particularly men who have but
lately left of from debauchery, to abuse
those who are slilI drinking and selling.
There is another point, on which we
diller from many members Of the temper
ance society, but still we lhink k, coincide
with the ma orry, viz: petltlonng the
Legislature, and seeking the enactment Of
laws TO advance the temperance Cause
Without questioning their right to petit
ton, We condemn their course in doing
ii; temperance is great moral reform, IL
pom which the enactments of the Legisla-
ture could have bu; little bearing were
they obtained; It is to be advanced by APP
pealng TO the better natures olmen,and not
by physical force. The principles of the
"tcetoalers" have spread with almost
unhcard OF rapidly, and by what mcans'
BY persuasion. It's advocates have been
woocd, not dragged by force into its ranks.
Scarce three years have elapsed since a
few miserable drunkards started the
"Washingtonian" society; within that pc
riod through its influence and the inllu
cnce of kindred societies, more than .f.Jly
thousand drunkards have been reformed;
let us profit by experience then, and con-
rinuc to work peacefully, and with kind
words, ard by arguments that every ham
let and almost every lireside Ill the coun-