The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-01-19

cLiCe ordinary matters OF local interest
are scarce, and there are some people un-
commonly fond of controversy, perhaps it
will do no harm to ask little space for
further discussion of issues growing out of
the political questions of the day, espe-
cially as they concern us here in county
affairs.
We will then take up the gauntlet that
" Independent Republican - has thrown
down and prove the falsity of some of his
assertions, the incorrect premises upon
which others are builded, and the utter
impossiblity of either party getting en-
tirely rid of the Temperance issue" in
politics any more than they could of the
old " slavery question: We do not ex-
pect the former to be settled in a day nor
by one legislative act, as the latter was
not; nor do we anticipate more violent
measures, even if we are threatened with
whisky instructions" in which all the
cramps" are ready to take hand.
But to take his assertions in order. He
wants evidence. Now understand, we have
little to do with presidential or national
questions, though they have reflex action
on our local elections. Who does not re-
in the legislature was filled by James A.
Davis? Had not the decent men in the
Democratic party hand in this? Who
elected our recent Sheriff? We will re-
member these things at the next election as
well as others.
The next assertion of the stratagem of
INSCRIPTIONS Democrats protesting to
favor the one issue" &c, having anything
to do with the nominations of the Repub-
lican, is very unsound premise upon whit b
TO start, and the deduction is equally and
correspondingly false. Whatever may have
been the personal character of the men as
candidates, they never gave any assurance
that they were any more in favor of tenn
perance in one party than the other, and
of course could not ask, and did not re-
ceive, any support as such, except in very
few cases, and then it did not probably
amount to anything more than personal
favor. We pity the party that oery little
nind from "Temperance Alliance" could
upset. Not being coniidant with the
business, we have not the same means of
knowing, as Independent Republican,"
the amount sold at any particular time, nor
do we care, unless he can prove that none
of the candidates of the Republican party
eoer paid for any of it. But we will not
scratch this sore spot, and only ask if tenn
perance is to be kept out of politics by
Christian men, including reverends, colo
nels, doctors, etc, meekly bowling their
necks and crying 'great is Diana of the
Ephesians.
There are many men now acting with
the dominant party in this county, not from
choice, but from necessity. In national
affairs they were anti-Grant, and hence
could not see how to vote against our own
local mismanagement. The whole ma ior-
lty of the Democracy in the county is made
up of this class who would be " 1ndepend-
ent" if they could, and many we're SO at
the last election. The cut tickets at one
polling place at least were equally divided
between the two parties, and we presume
they were all over the county, North East
not excepted.
1.-THE fitness of candidates cannot al.
ways be judged by the returns We ad
nit it. Of DR.. Worrall's abilities we never
had the slightest doubt. The Endorsement
he received at home. where the temperance
sentiment is strong, shows that where
known he was thought fit, even if seer
tain prohibitioniSts were afraid to trust
him. Examine the returns again and you
may see that there was no special reference
to any one man, and especially to the one
in whose behalf this modern apologist for
a bad cause has welded Samson's weapon.
There is not really honest temperance
man in Cecil county to, day, unless he be
gerg ignorant one, that wishes or expects
to succeed in any permanent advance on
the rum power, unsupported by civil
authority. What does this rum power"
care for ''moral institutions ?" Nothing.
All that liquor makers, liquor vendors and
liquor drinkers want is to be let alone in
bai lox Ia inf hair
interest, are they content? Will they rest
content under the present law of license9
No. While they are securing the aid of
Independent Republicans to induce
temperance men to cease all operations
against their encroachments and let them
alone, they will be working like beavers to
buy up the next Legislature and repeal
every law now on the books, Sunday law
and all. There is nothing that peases the
Devil so well as to be let alone, and moth
ing that his emiSsaries and commissaries
on earth fear so much as Truth, when
backed by the power of law and the strength
of prison bars.
There are, always will be, impracticable
and unreasonable men in the ranks of all
great movements. There will also be the
counterfeit to everything that has substan-
tial value. Between these two extremes
the great mass OF temperance men are NOV
ing forward and will move. Reforms rever
go backward, and if your lukewarm men
do not move forward with the advance of
the stream, they will be overwhelmed by
it.
Now, after all this is admitted, it yet
remains a fact that a successful political
party cannot be run on moral principles
alone in the present state of society. The
average sentiment of the majority of vot-
ers will have to be consulted on all occa-
sions, if you would have the support of
majority. All men have their faults,
and to cut man that has been regularly
nominated by the party~that best repre-
sents your wishes, because of personal
dislike, is political folly. But when it is a
moral question at issue, the case is differ
ent. How can you expect men, protesting