The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-02-02
For The Cecil Whig.
The Proposed Change in the
License LAW.

The people of Cecil county, who year
after year have patiently lorne with all
the evils incident to the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors. have a. last, when flesh and
, blood could no longer stand and look upon
them, withou, being reused even to very
madness, resolved that they would make
one effort for its suppression. Persons in
timately connected with the temperance
cause have not failed to observe, the feel
ing upon this subject growing stronger
and yet stronger, during several wears
past and, that deep seated, heartfelt alb
hsrrence to this traffic was becoming en-
grated into the minds of the people.
Slowly, iv, and yet surely has the
tide of public opinion been moving on
ward, ever and anon receiving fresh trib-
utarles until its former narrow ''pent up"
boundaries have been carried away by the
increased current Men have begun TO
think riouSlv about the er,-they
have torn aside the thin. nimsv covering.
which time and custom had thrown around
it, and have viewed ii in all IFS native
hideonsness and d,formity. They have
seen their friends and relatives fall one bv
one, infected by this great moral pestl-
letcc, which has swept over our fair land
like the evil genius Of the storm, bligbting,
with"ring and sweeping from existence
all Of beauty that care within IFS range
And, as they have sought tie source of
rhls evil, with a determination 10 eradicate
1t entirely, they have been met hv the
mighty barriers of the Law, which rose
up between them and the object of their
pursuit, and at first seemed insurmounta-
bic
This has led men TO inquire. what is
the great end and aim Of all law Is it
not, say they to preserve fe, protect prop
eriv, and guarantee security to persons in
he lawful pursuit. of u legal business? And
does not this LAW that licenses the sale Of
Intoxicating liquors. instead Of preserving
life, arm the most powerful engine Tor its
destruction, that the world has ever known7
Has moi the traffic which it lcra ICES, been
productive Of more wide spread desola-
ton Of property, than all the evils whether
OF war ppsilence Or famine, that have
ravaged the earth Is not this an illegal
business, which seems to put a blasting
curse. upon all Who are IN any way en-
gagged in it, whether as manuiactur rs, re-
lallers or conSnnr rs! Is it not, accord
ing to the most learned law commentators,
a nuisance in the fullest sense OF the term
TO all Of these qn's' ions they have
received hearty affirmative response
and conscious of the business OF th-ir
cause they have determined to make one
mi .hiv effort, 10 bot from or statute
| books an at. which has ever been foul
rrproac'. upon the very name ofI,w
I Shall they fail! 1t is for the temper
| ance men Themselves to answer thea are
the arbitcrs OF their own fate - then have
within their otrn hosoms the elements of
success. and il hhey do iail on them rests
thu responsibility.
The only thing now to be considered
is whether the Incentives to action are
sufficient Y strong to urge them to the
lengths to which they must 60, in order
70 insure success. Is there heart that
feels TOR human woe. that has not hlad
at the sight OF all the mis- ry caused by
i this traffic Who has not ici,, that thr