The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-02
The Temperance Law and the Whisky
Ring.

The people of Maryland from almost
every city, town and hamlet of the State.
have petitioned the Legislature of this
State for law upon the subject of TEN
perance. They ask Legislative relief in
some shape from the evils resulting from
the license system and the vices which it
entails upon orr citizens. If they are wise
and are governed by desire to better the
condition of their constituents theywill heed
the voice of the people and give them law
restraining the tide of woe and misery that
threatens to engulph the best and noblest
Interests of humanity. 4 deep and intense
interest is being felt all over the land on
this subject. Other States are moving in
this matter and taking bold and decided
stand in the interest of fallen humanity
Stringent laws have been enacted and are
being vigorously enforced to stay the tide
Of drunkenness. Maryland's necessities
are equally as urgent. Our young men,
the hope of the coming future of our State.
are becoming habitual drunkards, and the
appetite is such that once firmly acquired
cannot be easily eradicated. To avert these
evils the people ask only that they may be
allowed the small privilege to say whether
license shall be granted or not to sell intox-
icating drinks in their midst. Will the
privilege? That is the important question
just now, and the very best citizens of the
State, who desire only the public welfare,
are moving in this matter and are deeply
interested in its success.
\ few of those who pander to the perni-
cious influences of political power have
ventured the prediction that the Legisla-
ture will turn deaf ear to the entreaties
of the people. The idea has been publicly
expressed, and no doubt believed by many.
that the Whisky Ring" will buy up the
Legislature in this direction. A gentleman
remarked in our hearing last week, and
seemed to speak knowingly on this subject,
that the Whisky Ring in Baltimore city,
could, and would, raise one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars to defeat this meas
ure. This same idea prevails throughout
the State, and if the measure fails 1T will
leave the present Legisi aturc under a cloud
of suspicion. To relieve themselves of
such aspersons, the Legislature ought to
act promptly upon this subject, and not
leave this important matter of the session
alone, until near its close. and thus totally
defeat it for want of time. We wish to
see some energy displayed on the part of
our representatives at Annapolis and hope
the work will be quick, sharp and decisive.
r.
inaugurate it now instead of procrastinat-
ing it for the future. While our Legisla-
ture is hating and hesitating. thousands of
our citizens are annually filling drunkards'
graves.
The above article is from the Denton
Union, and concisely puts the case as it
stands at present. Are our members in
the Legislature men enough to step forward
in this crisis and urge the passage of law
legalizing the right of the voters to deter
mine whether license shall be granted to
sell spirituous liquors as beverage in their
respective towns or Election Districts -
There is not doubt but 50 ont of every
100 votes would be cast against license.
were the people allowed to decide the cues
ton whether a useless and dangerous Gus
tom to the good of society should be longer
perpetuated. This is a Temperance county,
comparatively. the towns being the focus
of drunkenness: and the legislator who
would ride on the flood tide of popularity,
IN the future. is the man who has the cour-
age to step out and earnestly put bis hand
to this new work at once. Such a law has
been decided constitutional. Their request
is a reasonable one. Shall the people be
allowed TO abolish, if they choose. the
places which will carry many of their sons
to drunkards' graves?