The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-19
A REVIEW
OF THE TEMPERANCE AGITATION

Ut mUr TrMprP AN0E AGITATION
VI -. - rr,1arn ~ w,N
The temperance reform-so called-began about
1920 The first pledge against the use of intoxicat
ing LIQUORS. as a beverage inhibited rum, gin,
brandy yybiskey and other strong drinks, but did
NOT ipbibit wine beer cider. cordials, and milder
bo,.oraoes These might be taken with impunity
,,itbo,t ofance to any body. Public meetings were
hoId and tho neople enlightened upon the subject
orally and through the press The pulpit, also, fire.
oueptlv descanted upon the subject and like St.
paul its oceupants "re1sonef of ighteousneSs tenn
nerance and a judgement to come" Legislation
was not thought of but the votaries of temperance
endeavored to persuade men against the use of in
toxcants rather than to drue them by the force of
law. Secret orders were formed such the Sons of
TEMPERANCE Rechabites, and others, with signs,
passwords and grips who shut themselves within
the four walls of their lodgerooms. like boxterr-
pins. and their influence for good thus cireum-
scribed There was no access to these bodies unless
by the payment Of certain initiation fees and week
ly OF monthly dues which the poor inebriate could
not afford pay. These temperance orders did not
go out into the highways and hedges and compel
them to come in This condition of the temper
ance reform continued for some years, attended
with more or less success, until change eames
The old pledge was laid aside, and total abstinence
pledge adopted, excluding the use of all inoxleants
of whatever clasS-wines, beer, cordial, oitters'
cider and every thing else that contained the
slightest quantum falcohol. So rigid were some
temperance devotees that they would not go to the
celebration of the Lords supper because wine was
used as one of the elements Here was zeal with
ont knowledge" pitiable example that re
formers" at times liable to run into ianaticlsm
All temperance reformers who dld not agree WIN
them Ostracised, and their names east OUT as
evil. such was the intensity OF this phase oil the
temperance reformation. But il did not last some
thing else was deemed necessary for the success OF
the temperance cause and Local option was the
happy expedient No other phase OF the temper
ance reformation was worthy Of the attention OF the
temperance reformcr. Indeed, ali temperance men
who did not favor this complete panacea for all the
ills o. iutemperance, were looked upon with suspt-
cion by the Local option men, and were told that
they were not sincere reformeTs. Local option was
tried Memorials were sent to the Legislature pray
ing for the enactment Of laws 10 be submitted to The
votes Of the people In several Of the counties Of the
state which fsancjioned by majority Of the people
should have the effect to prohibit the sale Of nto1-
eating liquor save by the apoibccary, under ply
sicians prescription. These Laws were passed sub
ntled 10 the votes OF the people, and carried into
effect in thirteen counties Of the state But liquor
was bought aud sold as freely As ever The iAw was
eyadei by many devices known only "a those who
have respect for Jaw. It was soon found that tbs
kind OF prohibition, from which such salgiaTy re
suits were anticipated did not prohibit The Local
! Option craze gave way 10 another with even less
{ promise of success. That was the constitutional
Z Amendment" A. last the true paEacea for The Ills
+ ofiutcmpcrauce bad been found. An Amendment
I 70 the state constitution would do the work The
F question was accordingly submitted by Jaw U me
votes OF The people In several Of the State and me
+ people rejected The amendment Pna5eC' y iAFse
malorttses Agaia wefc The iemPeFanee adFeeA'.s
iolied IN iheiT eN I'ee''.'l's- A'' @
mcni utterly m'seAFFsa. ana hAa :, q AlA'eo'''y'
( As failure FfH'iia' Ia eSEea'eaeA' however,
Anotntf PsAh "As He'l4.d 70 -! u.e Nt''"
s-'SHs- iNg "-1-s,'s $500 - -
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ms opinion. ~ oee'e uss .~s -
'cisfefAaes seS''iie' -''4 '-'e -
VIII noi agree via me pa' wa e.'es e =. -.
Ia the 5atarc As ia ie past uHtii TIC sa4es hna2
Eli from JhrlF eyus astd they aro enabled b So.
u an uuqusziiaTlAhio lasillAle HAT @cs csnn0i
BE- lcg.saicd % driven Into m1sziiJ Acc5edi1g q
The old ssw-~yua can sako t0sso - watCr. bal
yoa cannot make aim s3riak7 ~ with aea. you
may lead thea and convince lhrrz baI yoa eAsna'
flree them isia s,bflaSy o. mrrzlgy Christ. agl
rrsat eresupIaf aid not establish his church sad
~. r,r., ,... IA esr M ss rssgc lie appeairi 8
a. srts asa -.,.,.-l,s-.s - Hs- ard - ssts-he.,
ma, "a 81. r-s-asn and commended ~ lhsir ae,
rs.sr,s,. hts divine teassinzs lie dld not apgeal
( T., ls-,ssssturg. g1r The enactment ~ laws =
Z -. ,,.. s..,sr.~ christians nor ga he fssz
1880 10y =, rrsf ..r, ir,ts 7norsllsv Tales
-, - ,-,s-y,s ~ de e--.r 81 taslr -rsys th-y
,.,gT ma fsru .prsv frsrn error Thalf uudsrsassa
irs r,sst 81 snlghtstr4 and theIr uts and hosrsi
right lfthc teapeFanoe men wouid s''cceed. tasy
-, 49,, ,,h,.r ,,,stts 10 asegn,rlj,h ID,
v,,k IN rs.a,, IN allure. rempsraacr 4 oas 81
tbs Chr..slan virtass. aud mus Dc euxranrA upon