Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-01
FOR THE PEOPLE.

EN-GON. DlnSleN, our recently eieSleo
Member of Congress, Is man of the
people, and one who works and speaks
for their best interests. He is IN the
highest sense Of the word politician
for it is always polite to advocate meas
ures which tend to increase the happiness
and prosperity OF the whole people. This
also constitutes craftsmanship, and a
statesman Is always a good politician.
Mr.. Dingley's position on the temperance
question is a case IN point.
Ii requires considerable moral courage
for Maine man to maintain his temper
ance principles after he has become ma
tional character On leaving this State,
one is challenged BY an almost universal
sentiment opposed to the views he has
cherished at home concerning the use of
liquor. Polite society as well as the
lowly, INDUCES in strong drink, and
those high in the land join hands with
the most beastly 20 maintain an industry
which brings millions into the pockets Of
the few, while impoverishing the many.
The use Of stimulants has had the sane
ton of ages, and he who Squarely op-
poses this habit, at all times, must know
that he has set his face toward an unseen
goal, toward which he must travel in
a lonesome path. This Is not an inviting
prospect 10 the public man who would be
familiar and popular with the great.
We, al honor Is due 70 such as maintain
their temperance principles amidst such
temptations.
But it requires more than mere SEN
timgntal moral courage for the Congress
man to declare himself for prohibition
and for the suppression Of the manutac-
ture and importation Of liquors. Liquor
dealers have an organization, backed up
by the millions Of wealth which they
have wrung from the poor laborer. This
body proposes TO defy the growing tenn
perance sentiment Of the country and TO
crush those who manfully advocate the
principles Of their constituents. The
inst move bv this association i now
made. Il proposes to reduce the tax on
whiskev from 90 20 SO cents per gallon.
Such a measure Will be advocated and
strongly supported in the coming Con-
gress. How important II i that tenn
perance men should send representatives
who Will dare TO face this powerful or
ganization and refuse 70 yield 70 such a
demand. Our Representative, Hon. Nell
son Dingley, jr., Is just such a man. he
Is true 70 his CONVICTIONS on this subject
both in public and in private, before the
laborer and before the highest statesman.
Even before he has an opportunity to act
officially, he declares himself ready for
the issue, in the following editorial in
his excellent paper, the L--.,'or Jour
EG.
Washington dispatches state that distil-
ler> have formed an Urganlzatian, with
abuu amt means, Co induce Congress TO
reduce The tax on whisky They claim
that tl- United States tax Of eO cents per
gallon tends % reduce the consumption by
increasing the price, aud that il Is unjust
10 their business 20 single them out for
such special legislation.
We trust that Congress will not reduce
the taN, FOR the reason that is effect i TO
reduce the consumption OF whiskey We
could wish that there was no whiskey
made for use As beverage, Is there is not
in Maine; but SO long IS the laws OF most
of the States permit it, manufacture. until
a Ms iorty OF the States are brought up 70
Maine standard, We hope that the | nited
States viii continue 10 rOundly tax IL II
i something 20 aid the temperance move
ment by the indirect method OF imposing
tax on liquors, and thereby increasing their
cost and decreasing their use.
The tax on liquors also Yields 4 revenue
OF nearly 5000, 900 per annum. II is
conceded even by lovers OF whiskey 10 be
tax on a luXury-and luxury OF such
nature that the less one uses OF IL the bet
ter he Will be OF No one need pay cent
Of the taN unless he wishes to-and would
10 God nobody desired 70. Every nation
in the world taxes liquors for this reason.
There are taxes on the neceSSaries OF life
sugar for Instance, which may be abol-
iShed. Let al reductions OF taxation be
on such nece>saries, and let the tax on
whiskey remain IS il i.
w < lAAANL ANAlANAAloNA NA2% bLAc
Is bu, an entering wedge" which if &C
ceded to, viii ultimately cleave the tax
wholly of from liquors, and make them
as cheap and as free as coffee. Temper
ance men should be aggressive in this
fight. and meet this demand for reduc-
ton OF taxes by bill prohibiting impOr-
tation We must not forget 10 give our
hearty support and words of encourage
meHt, both spoken and written, TO those
whom we place in the van to fight this
battle FOR Us II Is an Onerous position,
and the battle viii be only second to that
over slAyery-one Of the great moral con
tiicts Of the history of the world
We met with very severe loss, last
week. by the breaking Of our hali-medi-