The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-02-18
THE CECIL w I'll G =.

business. No doubt it would be found
by reference To their dockets that one
half at least of the cases brought before
them, come there through the kind agen-
cy ofrum. What then do these temper
ence folks propose but to take away from
our worthy magistrates, one half Of their
support? TLisis outrageous!
This view of the subject will apply
with equal force to our sheriff and consla-
bles whom we have elected to Office, and
ought in justice TO see that they are well
supported Take away Intoxicating Ii
quors and you remove the princi pie
cause of arrest either Cor debt or crime;
also of sheriff's and constable's sales, and
if things come to this pass, where in the
name Of justice will these officers get their
support
Would you believe it Mr.. Editor
These ullrasts not content with the
injury they are doing to respectable por-
ton OF our white population, are extern
ding their efforts to the blacks, and would
snatch from them the only cup of bliss
they are permitted to drink! Who has
not heard from them after the tolls of the
day, the hearty laugh and the jovial "corn
song" happy as the happiest: for this
happiness they are indebted to whiskey;
beside who has not observed that in pro-
portion as they cease drinking whiskey,
they are more comfortably and respecta-
bly, clad, and this tends to make them
proud and independently under this sense
of superiority they will be likely to throw
off the restraints they now feel. and this
will lead to insurrcclion. They have
been told that their cooperation was ne
cessary in order to cut off the jug traden
and thus nearly ruin some Of our retailers.
They have formed IA temperance society
among them, which now numbers about
70. That must be bad cause that re-
qulres the agency of the blacks !! /!
But another objection may be urged
against the 'pledge." 1t is too uncom-
promising. Not content to inlerdlct Dis
Hlled liquors, it sweeps away at one
stroke all fermented drinks, not excepting
wine, and throws Us al once without any
graduating scale, upon the chilly comforts
of cold water. Now ak in the name of
humanity. could man in his sober SEN
ses, consent to drink nothing but cold
water, when the Thermometer stands at
zero; would go as dry as smoked
herring, before would encase my throat
with ice by drinking cold water in md
winter; beside the contrast between glass
OF brandy to warm or wine to cheer, and
glass of cold water, is so great as to
shock and chill the whole system, and is
enough to drive one home to his own fire
side TO seek warmth and comfort; thus
striking at the very foundation of soc ial
glee and combining man to domes tic
happiness. do honestly think that these
sl!cklers for the pledge ought to com pro-
mise the matter. SO far at least as to take
off the embargo for the three winter
months.
These Ganatcal spirits even bring the
Bible to their, aid. They published not
long since string ofquolalions from that
book that seemed to favor their cause;
among them was this-"wine is a mocker,
strong drink is raging and he that is de-
celved thereby is not wise" To this and
all other passages Of scripture we have an
oll-sel-"and wine that mak"th clad the
heart Of man and oil to make his face to
shine "See Psalm l01. IA, Is, verses Our
opponents urge the use of the ''oil'' Tor the
face as well as the swine" for the the
heart The "oi' was pressed from the
olives and constituted aiIagrant ointment
which we cannot now get.
They have the impudence to reply that
neither can scripture wine be obtained, and
that there is as much difference between
ancient and modern wine, as there is be-
tween olive oil and lamp oil. If we re-
fer them 10 the fact that Christ made wine,
they insolently tell us that he made it out
OF cold ,cater and that we are al liberty to
do the same if we can; that he did not
convert the fruits Of the earth into wine,
nor poison that which he made with
drugs; then ask if God intended intoxi-
eating drinks as beverage, why did he
not cause fountain of brandy or wine to
issue from the earth beside each fountain
of waler2 To this it is sufficient to re-
ply that God gave to man inventive pow
ers and left him to contrve how to con-
vert the products of the earth into exhil-
Grazing drinks.
These teetotalers cannot be considered
good citizens because they by precepl
and example oppose prominent law of
the land-the license law: and what secu-
rty have we that they will not oppose
any and every law Of the land2 They say
that they can distinguish between good
and bad laws and while they oppose the
bad that they may be repealed, they will
sustain the good: but who will believe
theme
This is no time to oppose any thing
that brings in a revenue. The state is ex-
ceedingly embarrassed in her finances;