The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-11-15
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ELkTON, NOVEMBER Is, 1878.
WHISKY.

The self-gratulation of The Democrat, of
its signal ability as an organizer of vic
tory, under its present editorial manage
ment, may excite smile, but should not
offend any one, though there are grave
doubts as to whether a single vote was
influenced thereby; but the reasons as
signed for not hearing the able discourses
of Rev. Pennell Coombe on the evils of
the license systems Of the State of Mary
land, brings to remembrance that Oft
quoted Pharisee.
The reasons which are given for not hear
ing those sermons are that the Editor at
tended service in church dedicated to
God, which is negative way, but none
the less impressive, of saying that no
other churches in town are not so dedicated.
But as this is a matter of opinion which the
religious denominations may grow excited
over, we make but passing allusion to 1t
as a prelude to some remarks on the god OF
The Democrats party. That party has
always been charged with holding allie
SlduCc uuucE hlHS diCohoI, ohu ehiS ANSo '" 49,
never so apparent as in the recent political
campaign. The Democrat virtually &C
knowledges that it and the party are the
liege subjects of rum and the rum trade.
The man who dares to testify against the
evils flowing directly from the traffic is
snarled at, and the church which opens its
doors to the preacher who holds up the god
of The Democrats party, as the source and
fountainhead of all the sins in the deca-
logue, are scoffed as shrine and preacher
defled by little better than heather wor-
ship. These declarations by the organ OF
that party Immediately after State cleo
ton are significant.
1t manifests the entire dependence of
the party on whisky, and the details of the
late campaign, bear out this view of the
matter.
The party was furnished with larger
sum of money, perhaps, than was ever
employed in a political canvass in this
county before. Every grog-shop in the
county was made headquarters. Candi-
dates who were scarce of funds were sup
piled, and if their actions and words are
any sequel to their instructions, they were
ordered to go into every rum-shop they
met, and there spend literally and dedi-
cate themselves to, and identify themselves
with, that interest. This was so openly
done that it became subject remark by
kol oh hot ha nd a O
on the Democrat ticket, not in the habit OF
frequenting the dram-shop, and who view
ed the liquor business with disfavor, be-
came active patrons, and loaded up heavily
in this new role of devil worship. And
then, as if new revelation had been made
to them, they declared that ,ohisky was
worth more, as political intuencer, than
all other powers combined. Two barrels
of corn whisky were rolled out of liquor
store in Elkton the night before the cleo
ton, and bountiful supply provided for
the next day. This course was doubtless
not confined to Elkton. And in view of
the evidence which daily accumulates, it is
demonstrated that the Democrat party ded-
icated its very existence to the rum trade
in this county. Early in the campaign
this was done clandestinely; but later,
when they had ascertained that not a sim
gle vote of those who were protesting tenn
perance men, would be lost by their openly
cohabiting with the whisky ring, they at
tempted no concealment, but gloried in the
shame. They lost no opportunity to rep
resent the Republican ticket as being con-
trolled by the "Alliance" which had sud-
denly doomed up and make show of politi-
cal significance. And although the CALI
ance as an organization, had no influence
on the Republican party, and exerted no in
fluence as temperance element, in the con-
troll of votes, yet it served as a convenient
weapon in the hands of the enemy. The
Democrat party always charged with being
in alliance with the whisky traffic, never be-
fore stood SO committed to the prince OF
evils as it does at the present time. In the
light of these truths there is not SO much
to be surprised at in the patronizing tone
of The Democrat toward whisky. Ingrati-
tude is pronounced by some religious
orders the basest of sins, and The Demo-
crat could not do less than praise the bridge
that carried it safely over great peril.
But what will the many good people who
have assisted to give the rum interest such
send forward answer to their conscience