Smyrna times., 1888-10-03
Legitimate Fruits from Prohibition.

MOT6 ludu u uOZ6u years dS5O d I6LA-
perance reform movement set in in
Maryland that has since included
many of the counties of the state. 1t
assumed the form of local Option-that
is, the question of the sale of liquor
was submitted to the popular vote in
certain counties. Caroline county, on |
the Eastern Shore, with a population |
largely native and a people whose la
bOrs were given almost wholly to agri- !
cultural pursuits, was the first to ban
ish liquor from its borders. In its prac-
tical operations the law was prohib-
itory, and. after the first few efforts at
defiance were severely punished in the
courts. was everywhere observed and
the saloon and hotel bar room disap-
peared completely from sight and >
istence.
The change was wonderful in it, ,.
fects. With the saloons went out I...-.
of the drunkenness and all of the tur-
bulence and disorder, which was very
great, that centered about them. The
rufian gangs who terrOriZed whole
neighbOrhoo1s were scattered and alb
sorbed into the ranks of the orderly
and law-respecting people. The court
business dropped Oft very materially,
| the sessions being reduced fully one
half, and the criminal expenses fell off
in proportion. The county Jail went
for month at a time without a pris-
Oner, and increased industry and thrift
took possession of the people. Every
where and in every aspect life became
| purer and better, manhood was emo
bled and dignified, and the social scale
was elevated and blessed by the eleva-
| ton. Under these influences no county
| in the state has made more rapid pro-
| gress in the development of its re-
sources, almost wholly agricultural,
and there is none where the sheriff or
the trustee fiEd less of occupation.
This temperance movement was not
a political effort but was chiefly sus-
tanned by the republicans. 1t was or
ganized and directed by recognized
leaders in that party, who have grandly
carried forward the work up to the
present time, and the public sentiment
has upheld them in it. Recently, how
ever, another great change has beer
wrought-the pendulum has swung tC
the opposite direction, and rum is once
more in the ascendant. At the county
seat three drug stores, and a clul
room opened to evade the law, furnish
all the intOXicants that are desired
Drunkenness has once more taken pos
session of the people and the indica
, tiOns point to a return of the old day
of liquor and lawlessness. A recen
private letter to the editor of the Sen
! tineL says: :'We are having a tim
here with the whiskey business. 1 be
o lieVe there is more whiskey drunk AM
sold here now than before local option
4 l think the prohibition party is t
+ blame for much of it. Making a part
matter of temperance has raised
4 strong opposition on the part of bot
the old parties to the course pursue
: by the prohibitiOnists, and hence th
local option law is not enforced"
+ We commend this circumstance
the advocates of prohibition in Coz
, necticut. 1t ought to furnish muC
/ food for reflection for them. By the
insistance on and persistence in part
organization at critical periods in OF
n political experience, and by their abus
4 and open warfare upon that part
4 which is their natural friend and all,
they are working revulsiOns in publ
n sentiment that not only renders abO
t. tive their present purposes but wi
q dampen the ardor and enthusiasm
X temperance effort for many years. Co
i. tinuance in the present course will nu
- lily much of the work already accor
plished, as in the Maryland case, al
estrange an influence that, if cooper
ted with instead of anragonized, wi
ultimately bring the end desired. o.
thing may be accepted as a fact-pr
R. hibition will not come until public Sc
rs. timent approves and sustains it; al
EN- that sentiment caunot be hastened
tn the advocacy and the folly of rash al
N incorporate leaders. Men, like hOrs
It may be led to cold water, but they ca
nv not be made to drink it.-AnsOT
er. Conn Sentinel.