The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-30
: lShe G<til Mykig
ELKTON, MARCH 30, 1879.
Liquor Laws.

Liquor Laws.
The subject of prohibition liquor laws
seems to occupy more attention, at the
present time, than ever before. There is
less of faction, and more of serious thought
manifested by the advocates of prohibition,
than at any previous period in the temper
ance agitation. We have termed it prohi-
6ition, for the local option laws contended
for will amount to this, when they are crea-
ted. There is not community in this OF
any other State, north or west of Mary
land, that would not vote against granting
license for the indiscriminate sale of rum,
if the privilege was once granted the peo-
pie to decide this question for themselves;
right they claim, AMI certainly with
entire justice.
At recent temperance meeting held in
the city of Washington, Vice President
Colfax is reported to have urged temper
ance revival, to save the young as well as
the old, "the pledge to be the banner OF
the cause This will answer as an adjunct.
but there will be no effectual check to
intemperance, which threatens to engulph
the rising generation in its deadly abyss Of
woe, but the popular vote, ordering the
withholding of liquor licenses. 1t is the
liquor license system which places the
deadly bowl of temptation in the sight, and
to the lips of every man and boy in the
land, and until that temptation is removed.
there is no hope for frail human nature, in
its isolated condition and unguarded mo
ments.
Our Legislature, the other day, referred
the Local License bill to the Committee or
Finance, which seemingly was an inquiry
whether the State could afford to dispense
with the revenue derived from liquor
licenses. The State derives considerable
revenue from this source, but the countie-
which receive no direct benefit from
licenses, expend, we dare say, twenty dol
lars-perhaps double or three times thai
sum-for every dollar the State receives
from liquor licenses in prosecuting crmi
nails, and taking care of paupers, widows
and children made destitute by rum. To
these ever present and admitted evils.
caused by intemperance, must be added
the low moral standard the habitual anc
fashionable use of rum is constantly drag
ging society down to. With all the reli
gious and educational force at work to ele
vate man, he can scarce be kept up to {;
respectable standard of morality, with the
mighty power of rum constantly dragging
him down. The intoxicating drinks q
the present day are more baneful and pois
0nous than they ever were before, and SOW
disease and death broadcast among the
human family. 1t is not only the presen
generation that demands protection from
the frightful evil, but large per cent. O.
the unborn will be even greater sufferer
in damaged constitutions and brain, thai
that of the present time. The drugget
liquors of the day, cannot be imbibed by
the parents, and their offspring, who arr
to compose the next generation, escape the
dreadful consequences. For these, ant
mand that the liquor license be commit
ted entirely to their hands, so that in theil
sober, thoughtful moments, they may take
the sole responsibility Of dealing with the
evil as they see fit-that evil which is ;
standing menace to the future welfare O
every boy and girl in this land, and cause
of never-ceasing apprehension to ever,
mother.
Several States are moving in the matter
and wherever the people have an oppor
tunity, they overwhelmingly vote agains
licensing dram shops in their midst.
Last Monday, two lager-beer saloon
keepers were arrested for violating tn,
Sunday law, in Philadelphia, and at thei
examination, the rum traders and drinker
threatened to mob the officers Of the Law
and witnesses. This is but one instanc,
showing the deadly earnestness of the part,
that is determined to wrest living from
the community by system. which to tbs
disgrace of this Christian era, is protected
and fostered by law, that gives worse thai
no equivalent for the millions it exacts o
the people. The votaries of intemperance
now hedge themselves behind moral sua
sion. Moral suasion has already accom-
plished its work, as is proven everywher,
that the people are allowed to vote directl,
for or against licensing liquor shops. The
law has tied the hands of the people, ant
let loose their destroyer. The people nov
ask TO be unbound and permitted to strik,
that enemy, and there is little doubt i
would be laid low by them at a single blow