The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-04-04

ards He'll, and adds thereto the fearful penalty
of murder. He is a selfmurderer. He volunta-
rily persisted in drinking that which took his
life The liquor seller sold it to him, seeing and
knowing, from the quantity he took from time
to time, and the condition he was in, it would
soon kill him. He willingly took his money,
let him have the liquor, and felt no responsible
lty for the consequences. The poor man over
come by the liquor, fell down and died. Some
body asks who killed him? mans mouth
may be stopped, but his thoughts go on. Does
not the man who sells Intoxicating liquor to the
habitual drunkard confirm him i'm his drunken
ness, aid him in maddening his brain, help him
IN ms downward career to the drunkard's grave,
ana thus become accessory to his death, though
he may not sell it to him with the intent TO kill
MIN or have any malice in his heart toward him
'Wo to him that giveth his neighbor drink, that
puttest thy bottle to him and makest him drunk
en-" 10 say he has right to sell liquor, and
II he does not sell it others will, and that he is
not responsible for what use men make of what
they buy from him, does not satisfy those per-
sons whose sons and brothers and friends are be-
ing showed into drunkard's grave. 1t NAV sat
isfy those who have no kindred standing drink
at HelPs mouth; but those who see and feel its
fearful ravages want something more than this
lney want law by which they can control the
liquor seller in his work, and hold him respon-
sloe for what he does, and they will be satisfied
with nothing short of this.
There is such law holding the druppist re
sponslble for the misuse of his poisons No one
complains OF its injustice. But why hold the
druggist responsible and let the liquor seller 90
Tree! why iegislatc against the one and in ia
vor OF the other, when they both deal in that
which destroys life? fit is unjust to hold the
liquor seller responsible, let us at least be con
slstcht ana release the poor druggist from the
UNJUST law he is under. But there is no inius-
tlce IN holding them both responsible.
1t Is law of this nature which the people of
Maryland want. Illinois and Ohio claim such a
law. IL has stopped the sale and drinking ofin
toXlcatlng liquors to marvellous extent and
It is upheld by the people. Many around us
teel the necessity ofsuch law, butthey sit with
folded hands and say they can do nothing. is il
because they cannot do anything, or wU not?
The time has come when something must be
done. The present law must be changed: il has
run its course. We must have new one
some say raise the license law to high price.
ms VIII break up a great many small groggeries
but will not prevent the larger houses from sell,
ing. some say let the people decide this aues-
ton by their votes on a local option law This
has been lately tried in Pennsylvania and was
defeated; 1t would also be defeated in Mary
land. The people will not vote for n prohibito-
ry law. Others say strike at the fountain head
OF the evil, and legislate against the manufac
ture of it.
The known distilleries in the United States
produce 53o, GOO gallons daily. This is n current
which is hard to stem. So much use is made oft
that it would be difficult matter to contine il
to the pharmaceutist
What ever law is adopted it will, for a while,
nave IT'S objections and its opponents. The Ohio
law, being comparatively free from objections,
Is neither unjust nor compulsory, will meet the
demands OF our State and rescue many of her
sons from the power of intcmpcrance
Shall we have it 1t is for you to saw 1t is
worth a trial Every mans help is wanted.
Every inch of ground will be contested. The
work is already commenced. Will you come to
the rescue and help us in the battle for God, our
kindred, our friends and our State? An earnest
united effort, and the victory is ours; and the
drunkards grave will become the sad spot upon
which but few eyes will ever rest