The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-08-24
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Early Days of Temperance.
FOURTH DIsTGICT. Aug. 18th, 1856

paper, reminded me Of some stirring Incl
dents connected with the early history of the
temperance reformation in this region.
1t is now some thirty years, or more, since
the subject begun to be agitatcd here. At
that time the use of liquor was almost uni.
vcrsal, and the few who refused to drink
We're snecrcd at and denounced us fanatics
and diSturbcrs Of the peace, and dangerous
invaders of the natural and constitutional
rights Of men, Even ministers of the Cos
pei and church members of good standing,
kept 1t in their Houses, using it openly on
all occasions, and not unircqucntly to eX
cess, ,iustiiying themselves, like the advo-
Gates OF slavery, and other abomiuaions,
by voluminouS quotations Of scri pturc.-
Thirty years ago 1t required some nerve to
be II soldier in the little cold water army.
Persons Of standing and influence gcner.
ally stood alooi, while the opposition Of
those who got gain out OF the drunkenness
and poverty of their ncighbors, was Intense
and relentless. The idolatrous voaries of
Diana OF Ephesus. when they saw that their
craft was in danger, raised tumultuous
shout, great is Diana of the Ephesans -
so the rumocracy when they saw the daily
increase OF the cold water army became
alarmed for their craft the rum selling
merchant saw in it danger to his per cent;
the rum politician saw that if this reform
progressed it would reform him out of place
and these classes, combined with those who
loved whisky for Its own sake, made com
mon cause against the reformation, which.
unaidcd, except by truth aad righteousness,
seemed in danger Of being crushed by such
formidable combinations. Finding they
could not sheer it down or frown it down.
Uhey never attempted to reason it down.
they resorted to the cowardly expedient Of
brute force, in the form of crowds OF drunken
men, made so on purpose to disturb the
meetings Of those they dared not meet in
argument. This latter course ruined the
cause it was intended to uphold, and con.
durel to the speedy triumph OF that which
II was intended to overthrow.
Never, while memory remains, can for.
get temperance meeting which was held in
Il house then. but not now, used rs a school
house.
The temperance cause had been steadily
progressing, and at the time am speaking
Of was exciting much interest in the neigh,
borhood, and many were signing the pledge.
The ram interests, alarmed for their craft.
resolved to break up the meeting and stop
the whole business by one decisive blow
Accordingly, a numbcr OF the most deaper.
ate characters that could be found, were en-
Gagged for the occasion. Maddened with
drink and apprehensiye that their most
with clubs and bars Of iron, and carrying Il
Jug Of whisky, aud swearing and yelling as
# - He'll had broken loose. these ruiians
burst into quiet assembly composed in
good part Of LADIES and children.
1t is needless to say that dnring this Ba.
chanalan revel, disorder reigned supreme.
Even while the concluding prayer was being
made. this Gang Of hratbens ranged them
selves round the stove. on which they had
placed their jug, and while Mr.. Perry was
pouring out his soul in u more than usually
solemn appeal, they We're pouring down their
Ghroat5 the contents of their jug. Finding
they could not brighten away the leaders,
and not having taste for II fight in which
blows might be- received as we'll as given,
they finally retired, and the meeting djourn
I'd IN GOOD order. Before the ad journment,
however, and while confusion ran riot, nearly
every man, woman and child signed the
pledge. 1t was the most successful temper.
anre meeting ever held in this district.
Of the prominent actors on this memor
able occasion. n number have gone down to
honorable graves, and their memories, like
n sweet fragrance, remain behind Them
Many who signed the pl.dge then are lv-
lnr, and hrlive most OF them have kept it !;
while Of the rowdirs, not one Survives to
frl the tale. They all sleep in the drunk
ard : grave, " mwcpt, unhonored, and nm
sung" Let their history be warning to
all who are - mighty 10 drink wine, and men
ol strength 10 mingle strong lriEf.h Since
ihat time there has never been an attempt
10 res Il, the onward march Of temperance
here The old hloats have pretty much died
or and comparatively few of the young have
learned To drink.
The triumph was so complete, that the
trieuds Of the cause, trusting to the power
Of trnh and right, relaxed in some degree
their vigilance no visible signs of a
rnlrograde movement appeared till the re-
brli,nn opened; then, amidst the greater
excitement growing out OF the war, the draft,
&c, and the entire cessation of the temper.
ance movement, different feeling began to
show itself in some individuals, but nothing
10 alarm any one, until the stcalthy opening
of Il bar sounded an alarm which has re-
sounded throughout The community. The
letter of :" Cold Water" is bat the formal
expression OF large majority of our people,
and is echoed and rc.ccboed from every
hcarthstonc in the district. There is not a
lady within miles that does net endorse every
word of it. A great commotion followed
She publication of that letter, and somebody
was in Danger Of thrashing, but mildcl
councils prevailed, and up to this writing,
Cold Water" has not been hurt, that
heard. It may be bold thing for " man to
brave public opinion, and start the sale Of
whisky in spite OF the united protest of a
whole neighborhoqd but il is il species Of
holiness which will neither bring credit MOI
profit. z
There was drunken riot there, on Siitur
day night, among parity Of tipplers, who
kept up noise till "a late hour, ending in I
brutal fight on the road home, disturbing
the quiet of night and rousing people from
their slumbers to prevent murder OH tn,
highway.
But thisis interfering with mans rights
the house is his own he pays license ant
has right to sell This right, with yau
permission, Mr.. Editor, propose to nlakt
The subject of lUtnre letter. Big Elk.
go r----
L.. q Al.