The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-29
ofthe tax. gathers returns, if we count
Alright. How is this for "ring re-
form" dodge ?"
The State Temperance Alliance.


The ninth annual convention OF
the Maryland State Temperance Al
lance, which closed its sessions on
Friday evening. was the most impor-
tant in the history of temperance in
| this State. It has grown consider
ably, and with its growth it increases
in its power of doing good. The sue
cess of the alliance is in a large de-
gree due to the good Judgment that
has always tempered the enthusiasm
of the members. 1t has always striv-
en- to accomplish the immediate end
in view. While keeping the highest
talents before their eyes. the workers
have at times been content to strug-
gle for small advantages and small
victories. But year by year the ag-
gregates of such victories mount up,
and show larger results than single
great success might have done.
Since their convention last year four
new counties were added to the col
umn-so far, at least, as to give the
people of such counties the oppOrtu-
nifty to vote upon it-and the fact
that the legislature passed the bills
as to these four counties marks a
growth of the moral power of the
alliance, for the previous session, To-
cal option bills were in some cases de-
feated in the legislature, although
the county delegation unanimously
asked their passage. During the ses-
sion just ended the liquor traffic was
less bold, and the bills passed. The
fact that in two cases the bills were
stolen after their passage shows the
desperate means their opponents will
resort to. 1t is fair to expect that
the counties which are now author
lied to vote on local option will de-
eide in favor of prohibition, for the
practical results in those counties
where it has been tested speak more
eloquently than words. The testi-
mony of the law officers, and jails and
almshouses and reformatories is uni.
form on this point. Men who have
no interest in the temperance cause
unite in bearing witness to the de-
crease of crime. dissipation and desti-
tuition since prohibition went into
effect. These blessings are SO great
that it is probable that the counties
now offered a participation in them
will by their votes avail themselves
of the privilege.
How vast is the blessing that this
band of workers, the State Temper
ance Alliance, is bringing to the peo-
pie of this State how noble and I'M
selfish are their labors. No toll could
be more purely IN the interest of HUI
mainly, and yet the work has often
been accomplished in the face of op-
position, obloquy, and, in some cases,
even contempt and insult. Yet sue
cess crowns their labors, for they
ioAAiy Sti II CuSSCoo, anu lllCll Ci0W IL
ing victory is that the people who
have opposed local option, and ac-
cepted it reluctantly, have been loud
in its praise after its practical work.
ing had shown its beneficial effects.
The counties that have longest enjoy
ed It's blessings are now most firmly
attached to 1T. The ground once won
is held, and the time seems not far
distant when every county in this
State will enjoy the protection of pro-
hibition under the local option law.
That this will entirely eradicate the
vice of intemperance is too much to
hope for; but experience has shown
that there is an immense gain in the
moral, religious, industrial and So
cial life, and in domestic happiness,
wherever the prohibtory law has
been supported by local majorities.
Balto. american.