The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-09-18
Temperance.

We take pleasure i'll publishing the fol-
lowing strong letter on an interesting
phase of the temperance question, written
by DR.. SUMNER STEBBINs of Chester coun-
ty, Pa, to Rev. T. l.. Poulson, G. IT.
of this State, who informs us that he fully
endorses the clear views thus set FORTH
We commend it to the careful perusal of all
temperance people to whose eye it may
come. DR.. Stebbins is one of the oldest
and ablcst temperance writers and speak
crs in this county. Now for the letter, viz
KNOXVILLE, Sept. 7th, 1869.
DEAR Misunderstanding to promise,
| sent to you by mail some papers contain
ing my views in relation to the political re-
sponsibilitieS of temperance men, when you
come to understand my position feel con-
tident that you will agree with me; be-
cause l have never yet met with thorough
and well-informed temperance man, except
Mr.. Nicholson and few others, who was
prepared to dispute it. If | remember
rightly, you told me at the great Noting
ham meeting that you were in favor of an
independent temperance party The most
solid basis of such party is the fundamcn-
tai truth that the people, who are the real
source of power i'll Republic, are response
bic for tie lars they male or suJust 10; and
that they cannot vote for 4 man who is
either in favor of a bad law, or not fairly
pledged for its repeal, without being impli-
Gated in its results. The liquor traffic must
stand or fall with 4 license law. l do not
suppose that the traffic, together with its
fruits, would be Immediately banished with
the overthrow of n license law, but | do
ka0,c that it cannot be either banished or
its evils abated rtle such Lalc crisis and
that all our efforts that arc not directed to
its repeal and the enactment of a prohibit
ing one-encouraging as they may seem at
timcs-amount to little or nothing. So
long as temperance men continue to vote
for the sale of liquor, or for Legislators who
are satisfied with the law that protects it,
we may go on holding big meetings until
the last trumpet sounds without gaining
an inch of ground or ever holding what we
have now got.
am growing old and can do but little
more for the cause; you are young, able,
earnest, and remarkably eloquent. You
hold your banner with a strong grasp, and
can wave it manfully in the midst of the enc
my. am anxious, oh, how anxious that
| a., l. ,I,+V 10; IN,
to draw the temperance men of Maryland
| and other States out of the rum traffic in
which they are involved without intending
it as deeply rs the whisky peddlars them
selves If drink alcohol | iniurc myself
and family; if sell it | disturb wider cir
Gle, but if rote for it, or what is the same
thing, for a legislator who is not commit
ted against it, I do all that the tchisky ring
desire, and am an indirect participator in
the sale of erery glass that is drank in the
State where | vote. If that is net trUc |
desire you to show me and others in what
respect it is false in your speech at West
Grove, on Saturday next, and if it is true,
! ! hope you will proclaim it in your own
powerful style. Is it not time for temper
ance men to look around and see where
they stand, and if, through ignorance or
| thoughtlessness, they find that they have
been co-oper.tjng ,rM tie 'rAisGy ring are
| they not bound to face about and refuse to
aid it longer? Verify, think SO, and that
You may have come to the same conclusion.
/ | Lo,n to hear from yOur own Inns on SAT-
urday next
Respectfully and truly yours,
s. STERHINs