Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-12-13


viii prohibit Or % i Just = IN.
reasonable to atteEa shy regulation.
The number II shop hsss il i sold
is fOrcsful argunss. ~ Prohibition
It wrecks more destroys more
wealth and creates = diseord than
any other agent knoa senex. must
excuse me. but / at breed TO say.
that it is sarcasm r sd to speak Of
whiskey ruling Is o. sing one Of our
weapons Of warfare. 3 ming as ! sup
pose it does. from smber Of that
party, which n 0h' aterad 70 the
bssr-gulpius I'd = . .'.ss aesecFating
81 sia|ss moon agaia-
noss,s~ ele iahalsilanis nfszanav
/ was about to io0k. viz: that the
more intelligent voters should instruct
the ignorant how TO vote. Why. real
ly. friend Senex, that is just what they
have always been trying to do, but
there has been such diversity of
opinion among the intelligent that the
majority Of the ignorant have been so
confused by the conflicting advice, that
they have been forced TO rely upon
their own Judgment in the end. Be
sides. some eoftheseintelligent men may
have axes to grind themselves, or they
may be corrupt. If such was to be
the rule, each section would have its
political boss and the wire-puller
would be in clover. This would be
nineteenth century feudalism with =
vengeance.
In selecting officials, Messrs. Edi-
tors. something more than wealth, ed
uration, birth or social position should
be considered. True merit and abili-
ty to perform the duties of the Office
are the prime requisites. If a man
has wealth the question should be
asked, did he inherit or earn it If
he inherits it, how has he used it ?
Has it decreased in his hands? Has
he spent it in riotOus living2 Has he
locked it up. intending to return il
in the end as did the steward who
buried the one talent entrusted to him
by his master? Or has he used It in
telligently, not only for his own ben
eft, bnt for the benefit Of the commu-
nifty in which he lives? If he has
earned his wealth, it should be known
how it was done. Has he robbed and
oppressed the widow and the orphan?
'Has he swindfed or brutaiized his fell
bowman to fill his Golfers ? or has he
earned it honestly by industry and
economy? Is he Of high birth or good
family? This should count for nought
unless he manifests in himself the
traits of character that rendered his
ancestors illustrious. Is his social po-
fation one that he has acquired by his
own actions, and is he worthy of il
Or does he merely shine by the re-
Elected light of his wealth and birth
Has he education? Upon what foun-
elation is it built ? We must remem-
ter that while education enhances the
value of common sense, it cannot be
used as a substitute for it. Is he vir-
tuous and honest For though it
enlarges the sphere and renders vir-
tue and honesty brighter and more
useful, it also sharpens the intellect
Of the scoundrel and renders him more
dangerous to the world. Education,
like everything else, hasits consequent
evil.
In examining all these things, we
simply look 10 find bis merit and fit
ness for the positioR. These. as /
have said before, are the prime re-
quisites. and they may be found in
the poor Of humble birth as we'll as
in the wealthy and high born. five
would have our affairs managed pro-
perly and justly to all classes, all
should be allowed to participate there
in. None but the truly unworthy
should be debarred from Office either
By the law or public opinion. We
have been making rapid strides in
this direction Of sate years, and !
think that if prejudice and averseness
to progress be eliminated from our
minds we viii find many advantages
aceruing therefrom. Our taxes are
no higher than they were twelve
years ago. Our public schools are do
ing far. better. and as q consequence
our children have much better oppor-
tunities Of being educated. Our pub
lie roads have been greatly improved.
Our Jail and our almshouss is acredit
instead Of a disgrace TO our people;
and. best of all. the intelligent and
thrifty portion Of our county welcome
these advancenents. Our land Is nm
dOubtedly deteriorating ID value. yet
We might as well blame politics for
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