The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-02-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THIS COLUMN IS OPEN TO ALL.
HOW TEMPERANCE WORKS WITH
POLITICS.

MIR. EDIToR:-It will be remembered
that "Gn commenced the discussion of
this subject, or took up for one who did
As he seems to be one of those who are
uncommonly fond of controversy" we
ask to be INDUCED with space that we may
accommodate him and probably interest
others. We will be more careful in WELD
ing Samson's weapon, that it may not again
PROSTATE the lumlnary of Colora. He has
weakened, rather than strengthened, his
argument, by bringing up the old slavery
question. Allintelligent people know that
slavery was not legisated out of this coun-
try. On the contrary legislation estab-
lished the institution, but failed to keep 1T
in existence. When the people became
sufficiently enlightened to see that 1t was
great moral as well as political evil, they
| repealed the slave laws in number of the
States, and would not enact congressional
laws to carry the institution where it did
not exist, which led to It's entire annihila-
ton. AS enlightenment has put slavery
out of existence, so will education and
moral training counterfeit intemperance.
The Democrats controlled national affairs,
by pandering to the slave power, till they
well nigh broke up the government; now
they are aided by the whisky ring to rule
this country. No wonder they cling to
whisky closer than the craftsmen did to
.Diana of the Ephesians," for it has
raised them to place and power in the
councils of the State and nation, aided by
the uminary and others of his class. He
was hard pushed for evidence when he re
ferred to the cases of " James A. Davis i"
and " our recent sheriff" They are worthy
men, but their good qualities were not the
main cause of their success; the former
was elected because the temperance agita-
tors had not time to arouse the whisky eie-
ment to vote against him, and the latter
because his opponent was unpopular with
his own party, which is evident from the
fact that he was most cut where best known.
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 temperance in one
party than the other
+ Now let us show the falsity of this asser,
ton. 4 number of the Republican cand-
dates in 1878 were well known to be iden-
titled with the temperance cause and elec
tioneered on that issue, while their oppo-
nents electioneered with whisky aud in the
interest of the traffic. n majority of the
voters can testify to the truthfulness OF
this statement.
The luminary pities the party that very
little wind from a temperance alliance
could upset. The 'aliance did not up
set the Democratic party, bat set it up
after Grant had knocked it down. Hear
him again: 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
majority of the Democracy in the county
is made up of this class who would be in
dependent if they could.' The idea that
men being anti Grant necessitated them TO
act with the opposing party in matters per
tanning to the county, and prevented them
from seeing how to vote against our own
local mismauagement is surely prepoSte:
Gus. Although there were anti Grant Re-
publicans. nevertheless Grant carried the
county in 1872; and yet this political en-
lghtener has sold US that the whole ma
iority of the Democracy in the county is
made up of ant-Grant Republicans who
would be independent "if they could
What IA reasoner.
"There is not a really honest temperance
man in Cecil county to-day unless he be
Uery ignorant one, that wishes or expects to
succeed in any permanent advance on the
rum power unsupported by civil authority
This is a broad assertion, but not prova-
bic. We may not be as wise as the
nurseryman with large understanding,
but do claim to be honest, and wish
to see the temperance cause sue
coed. The gospel does not teach christians
to rely on civil authority for support, but
Just the opposite, which is evidently in
harmony with the design of the Creator.
Man was created a free moral agent, and
was designed to remain as such during this
| life, hence it is not in his nature to submit
to assumed authority. Mark the success of
some of those who follow the teachings
of their divine Master. If newspaper re-
| ports be correct, Murphy has been doing
more for the advancement of the temper
ance cause than all the coerciousts i'll
| America. lie treats men as his equals,
reasons with them, and induces them to
act from principle, by appealing to their
better judgment. Coercion diVests men Of
their dignity and begets a spirit of resist
ance which tends to evil. Society makes
law. not law society, hence reform i'll
society must necessarily precede good laws.
Moral and intellectual cultivation is the
ground work of all reforms. 1t is our
opinion that the political agitation of the
temperance question retards moral and
religious progress.
INDrpESDENT REPURIICAN