The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-07-25
Not GUilty : Eli,

Whether or not figures can lie, it is
too certain that figures may be taught to
deceive, to permit any off hand cOnclu-
sious from insufficient or unattainable
data. Realizing this, we do not purpose
to question the claim, so often made by
as High License" that no more intoxi.
eating liquor is sold when the saloons
are open than when they are closed. We
may pass by the om1nous signs Of cart
loads OF lager beer kegs aud the long
rows of suspicious barrels marked Mon
ticelIo." Sherwood" "Monongahela,"
"Old Rye, Bourbon" &C., which now
form prominent feature of the town
but which were not apparent year ago.
We may admit that the kegs are all
empty and that the barrels remain IN
tapped But, there is one thing we can
not admit unless we wish to be written
down gump. We cannot admit that
there is less of drunkenness and riot. OF
as little, or half as little, or even a tenth
was when the 'ntemperate advocates
of temperance" had their own way.
Every day the air gets fuller of curses
and every night becomes fouler with riot
and recklessness. Last Saturday night,
the climax was capped. Not in the
recollection of the oldest iuhabita has
there been such bacchanalia. Every
bar room was invaded and toully dealt
with Every bar was Il shrine of disorder
and deviltry. The bravest saloonist had
to refuse sales aud turn policeman. The
latest advent in the saloon row had seemed
to put all on rivalry for sales and COnse-
quent squalor. Finally, after midnight
and when the more prudent had qualled
before the outraged law, a scene was
enacted at or near the corner of North
and High street that beat AL thu re-
cord since the war" Two youths be-
came victims of Ice Cold Lager Beer
Beer seemed to mean blood and blood
letting was the only available recompense
for beer uulettlng. The bar was closed
only to let the bluGgeon loose. First
North street, then High street, and then
Bow street WAS invaded. Nor were the
streets wide enough to hold the riot or
broad enough 30 accommodate the carni.
val. In the early sabbath morning,
when all hearts were supposed to be
peaceful and all homes to be quiet the
portico OF a Stun boring citizen was in
vaded and blood aud carnage marked
the track from the recently licensed
brothel. young man who had fled
from the pursuer he had offended, was
driven to bay and ruthlessly stabbed till
life blood offered recompense for hot
blood. The porch whence erewhie the
honored body of Palmer Strickland had
been borne along to its last resting place
was the scene of the carnival that order
| owed to high license. Husbands were
startled from their touches; wives and
mothers Rugged closer the forms of the
pledges of their loves; maidens and
sweethearts awoke to a cry of murder
| anu all aoouI tilo Hul'u atIVo1 was leiI d
hearthstone memo, OF the blessings of
permitting the tn # to enter the stomach
and steal away thu brains. There were
a hundred and more there, toili1g.
whooping. swearing, protesting, sweat
ing. One young man was cut to the
heart and only escaped the lethal wound
by miracle The officers OF the law were
invoked. The maddest were arrested
and the most moderate skipped to the
homes they had neg elected for.the wine
cup and the beer-foam. On Monday,