The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-23
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

The Temperance organization of this
county, held Temperance Convention, or
meeting, which was intended to have been
a representative convention of the organi-
cations of Temperance, at Elkton on Satur-
day last, a report of which, as handed in
by the Secretary, will be found in our
columns to-day. The meeting was very
SHINY attended, but the Preamble and
Resolutions embody the sentiment and
express, we doubt not, the purpose of the
"Temperance Alliance" which We are
informed have organizations in every dis
trict and town in State, and in every ward
in the city Of Baltimore. The Alliance is
State organization with county and dis
trict branches, whose purpose is to organ
ize the Temperance influence and so direct
it as to make it felt as political power,
irrespective of existing political party Or
CARNATIONS, and solely with view to make
the Temperance influences felt as control
ing power in future Legislatures, especial
ly, and also to make it q necessary influ-
ence to consult and respect in the acquisi-
ton of other offices, of an elective charac-
ter.
Now, the vital question is hoo shall the
Temperance Alliance proceed to reach
these important results?
Do they propose to act as in the past,
the political Temperance agitators have
done? Make loud speeches and pass
spread eagle resolves, and when election
day comes, and the old trained politicians
come on tho election green, scatter like a
flock of snipe before the gunner and his
pointer dog? Then every Temperance
man who has worn badges and gone
through the solemn incantations of the
orders for months, or years perhaps, is
found voting his hereditary party ticket,
because there is nothing in the Order inter-
fering with members political senti-
ments! We believe, however, that some
of the Republican members have always
managed to scratch their party ticket, and
elect Democrat not whit more welded
to the Temperance movement; but we
member who ever scratched candidate
because he would take a glass of grog.-
We think the sight would be sovereign
remedy for sore eyes.
The Alliances do not propose to place a
Temperance ticket in the field. Their
action in this county at least, is too late to
have any influence through the primary
meeting, on one political party, and but
little if any in concerted manner on the
other. The tickets of the two parties,
from all we can see will be made as they
have always been formed, by men who
take interest enough in public affairs to
organize primary meetings and conven-
tions, and do tho best they can to place
candidates in the field they think, under
all existing circumstances, they can eloct,-
candidates most available. These "poli-
ticians" who are cursed SO heartily by
the gentry who "stay away" from meet
ings and conventions, having placed their
tickets before the people, go to work like
men with an object in view. They work
day and night. They ply every man and
find out his vulnerable point if possible.
On election morning they are on the ground
bright and early, with hands full OF tickets.
They believe in the old adages that the
early bird catches the worms, and that the
gods help the man who helps himself
These men who manage elections and run
~ iol, &c fhar Il
but common sense men who study well
what they have to do, lay their plans like
skillful engineers, count the cost and work
up to those plans without tagging for a
single moment till the contest is ended.
On the other hand the strictly Temper
ance politicians, heretofore, have been
sentimental and rhetorical leaders. They
have never tired presenting their un-
answerable arguments, their righteous
cause and pure principle, but have failed
in the most essential Part of all. They
have ever neglected systematic cork in
primary meetings, at the county conven-
tions and most important of all, on cleo
ton day.
Now, Alliance men, let us have a few
words of common sense. You talk of
pledging candidates and cutting and slash
ing without regard to party feelings.
Did you ever consider that exacting a
pledge implies the giving a pledge in re-
turn? Suppose you approach a candidate
for the Legislature and ask him to pledge
himself to do all in his power to advance
Temperance legislation, are you prepared
in good faith to guarantee that he will be
backed by the solid Temperance vote Of
the county and having made him that
pledge have you men ready to roll up their
sleeves and go to the poll on election day
as workers, to give moral support and
tickets to weak brothers, and if necessary
"put head on any of the opposition
when the contest for a shaky voter grows
exciting; and collar blue nosed gutter pa
triots, whose vote is gained by the bodest
or the sharpest man? If he needs a glass
of grog to give him courage enough to cast
his vote, will you give it him and secure
his vote for your candidate, or will you
let the other fellow, for a glass of rum,
cast it against you? This you will say is
Jesuitical, and doing evil that good may
come. No it is not. 1t is accepting the
inevitable, and using the enemy's arms
against him. Would it not be the part of
wisdom to invest in that glass of rum to
overthrow your enemy, in place of allow
ing him to enlist it in the contest against
you? The material is ia the field, aud it
will either be used for or against you. If
you will learn to cork half rs well as you
preach you will have no trouble in get
ting candidates to serve you, but never till
then.
Does any reasonable man suppose that
the last Maryland Legislature who had
petitions enough from Temperance Orders
to paper the Capitol from cellar to dome,
would have dlsregarded such demands, if
they could have been assured that solid
Temperance vote would back them at the
uext electiono Thav Eno,r If would mot