The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-02-15


ny the assertion emphatically. The
W ashingtonians, like the early preach
crs of christianity, sowed the truths of
temperance broadcast over the land.
They took root in the hearts of the peo-
pie, and the fruits of those labors were
great conversion TO the cause of temper
ance. They prided themselves on
preaching the gospel of temperance
throughout the land, more than build
ing up a society governed by sectarian
principles.
But the Order of the Sons was hum
bug from its infancy. Its originators
stole their constitution from the Odd
Fellows, leaving out its fundamental
parts; and hooking on to it atemperance
name, proceeded to buccancer the pros
elytes of the primitive temperance soci-
cites, and their honors too, as far as POS
siblc. They cajolcd the honest minded
and unsuspectlng into the belief, that
their institution was admirably adapted
to push forward the cause vigorously to
its final consummation, and, ere long,
cXpel the rum traffic from the land. AZ
t4r having the precious charge commit
;ei solely to their own hands, they fold
their arms, sit down in their Division
rooms, and we scarcely hear a word
more about temperance. ! make these
assertions not in triumph but in grief.
The consequence was rctrograde move
mont, or at least, aand still in the
cause Of temperance; which the rum
seller, taking advantage of this apathy,
like consummate general, pushed for
ward his conquests, rcgaining partially
the ground he had lost. In proof of
this | will refer you 10 our elections, to
public gatherings, to holiday scenes in
our villages, and to the rum-scller's
books. In all these places drunkenness
is deplorablc, nor are old topcrs its VIC
Tins only; but we behold Young men in
the prime of life recling beneath the in
tluence of the intoxicating bowl.
But it were needless for mcto attempt
to convince your doughty correspondent
by argument and reason, that the soone.'
his darling institution is modified mate
rally, or wholly superseded by some
other, the better will it be for tho tenn
perance cause. 1t were like .casting
jewels before swine," and will pro-
coed to follow him through his article.
He "vcnturcs to assert that the temper
ancc army is quite as numerous and eff
lective as at any former period" Well
we will suppose that it is. But for an
army to be useful it must be employed,
and not placed in garrison about over
the country while the enemy is laying
waste that country in sight of their lit
tie forts.
lie says,-"Each Division is a shrine
on whose altar is kept alive the temper
ance flame, and | account that II. gull
ty of little less than sacrilege, who puts
forth his hand oquench it," The cam
die is not lighted to be hid under BUSH
ell, but to be placed on candlestick,
that it may give lightto ALI the house.
And that flame being kept on the affairs,
and those affairs shut up in the Division
rooms, whore few Of the iajtiatcd steal
off to at n ght to warm their hearts by
its cheerful blaze, while the shutters of
the sanctuary are closed and doors lock-
ed and double guarded, is not going to
benefit the public much.
Bring your glowing affairs out, with
their vestal fires; and place them by
the way side. Show their shining light
to the bcnum'd spirits of intcmperance,
that they may be induced to come for
ward, and be warmed into new life by
the genial glow. Copy the Prince of
Peace and bcstow your blessings with
out money and without price.
Sonny considers Mr.. E. too going to
attack an organization which numbers
among its members, '.men that are men"
If an institution is to be valued on ac-
count of "men that are men" who be-
long to it, and not judged by its moral
character and intrinsic merit, then the
penitentiary can boast that it has omen
that are men" in point of talent; and the
gambling fraternity, and the rowdy
gangs and associations that infest our
large cities; and the Mormon humbug,
and all other hun.buss can make the
same boast. But the school that was
brought up in, taught us that the critic
rion to judge men and measures by, was
the fruits they brought forth, and when
the august Order is submitted to such a
test, like Belshazzar it is found wanting,
and its fate may be read in the hand
writing on the wall.
If am going gentleman, I'll have
the advantage of being in favor with the
Octoraro ladies whom Sonny advises me
to take care of. But i'll were to perpe-
trate such literary curiosity as Sonny S
doughty article, would expect a suck
the next meeting. If wisdom is to be
measured by the beard, then, that goat
which the initiated tell the outsiders has
to be bestridel in order to reach the
honors and ZEN fits of the society, must