The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-01-21
For the Kgis DC hateligencer.
The Liquor License Law.
No, g.

TEMPERANCE What is the meaning of
the word, Mr.. Editor? Three fourths of the
people of this day appear to use it in a
sense totally at variance with that laid
down by the photographers; just as the
prohibition of the sale of ''liquor" in this
county has been effected at variance and
without consultation with the wishes of
the people-the law-makers
We hear constantly Of temperance people,
temperance societies, temperance addresses,
SC, and when we come to examine into the
character ofall this temperance, we find to
our surprise that the writers and speakers,
many of them educated" in the ordinary
acceptation of the term" mean total alb
stincnce from, and utter abomination of
spirituous liquors This is temperance, the
Alpha and Omega. Upon referring to Web
ster, we find that he defines temperance
thus: moderation; particularly, habitual
moderation in regard to the indulgence of
the municipalities and passions; restrain
ed to moderate indulgence; as, temperance
in eating and drinking" etc. Those who
abstain entirely from eating and drinking
are not more temperate than those those who
over-indulgc.
observe that in THE 1Egis for January
7, a correspondent, over the signature of
Citizsn, has taken occasion to vent consd.
erakle spleen ever my remarks in the pre-
vious paper. | was not before aware that
| had said any thing of So much impor-
lance as to call forth such wild invec tive
- the resort of those who are deficient in
argument. | can not discover, however,
that lie has even attempted to answer my
statements. OF course lie will say that they
are not worth answering. If they are hot
worth answering, they not worth ref ring
to at all and thus valuable space in your
paper might have been used to more pro-
fit He asserts that zone Of the strongest
the fact that little whisky and water
makes man talk like fool" referring
to myself. When one confesscs that that
is one of his strongest arguments in favor
of prohibition, his argument" requires
no reply-even if his language did not
place him outside of the arena usually oc-
cuped by gentlemen. Touching the sub
ject of the food element of alcohol in the
animal economy, we arc aware that there
is some ground for "a difference of opinion
eminent psychologists disagreeing to some
extent. 1t is generally conceded, however,
believe, that alcohol "retards the meta
morphosis of the tissues" and, in this way
at least, acts indirectly as food-in fact,
supplies its place. On this subject,
would call attention to an interesting pa
per entitled, us Alcohol Food" in the
Popular Science Monthly, for November,
1875. Without fully viewing it in the
light of food in the usual acceptation of
the word, the writer, after citing various
illustrative cases adds DIR. Austins' con-
clusion from such evidence, and from a
very large hospital experience, is that, be-
You'd all possibility ofdoubt, pure alcohol,
with the addition of only small quantity
of water, will prolong life greatly beyond
the period at which it would cease if no
nourishment is given; that, during the pro-
grcss of acute diseases, it very commonly
supports not only life, but also the bulk
of the body, during many days Of absti-
nence from common foods and that, al
though the physician and Psychologist fail
to explain chemically how it is that the le-
suit is brought about, it may, nevertheless,
be safely affirmed that the influence exert
ell over the body by alcohol is, essen
TALLY, of food character.
Not regarding your journal as Il proper
vehicle tor the discussion of purely physi-
illogical questions, even you were dispos-
ed to lend its columns for that purpose,
this quotation from the 'I'opular" month.
ly is all that think necessary or proper
to vouchsale in the present communica.
ton.
If the "natural appetite" which your
correspondent so harps upon and con
dennis, is rot the proper guide for the food
we require, it would be interesting to heal
what better guide could he safely follow
ed. OF course he would suggest that {
committee of "tetotalers" be appointed t.
prescribe for our depruved (naturaD appe
tites That might 40 in theory, but som'
difficulty might be encountered in thu
practice.
My effect in writing upon this subjec
has been to show that, as the Prohibition,
law ofthe county was sprung upon the pco
pie without their knowledge or consent ,ant
as the Legislators admit, without desigl
on their part, it is to be regarded, VIC con
tend, as the clear duty of our present Leg
islature to remit the fines exacted from
such of our fellow citizens as were obnox
ious TO this erroneous legislation. w
contend that our people have been wrong
ed by this legislation, and the wroI,
should be righted with the least possibl
delay.
Here is q single case, which may serv
to illustrate others: Previous to this leg
islative fiasco, gentleman purchased
hotel property in village in the caster