Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-02-09
HON. J.E. ELLECOOD
lie Objects to prohibitionists
Claiming All the Morals and
Virtues.
Is HE A CHRISTIAN :?
Well, just Investigate and You
Will Find Out.


Well, just Investigate and You
Will Find Out.
Hon. James T.. Ellegood, one Of the
prominent members of Salisbury
Methodist Episcopal Church has
written an article for the P,ninsvit
Mihodid in which he takes issue with
his pastor, Rev. {. a. Hill, on his
assertion that "all men who vote with
the old parties are friends OF the
saloon etc. Mr.. Ellegood SAYS:
The word 'saluon" there used stands,
We assume, for that which is bad,
ricious and criminal, in character and
effect; the phrase vote for the old
parties means voting for the candi-
dates nominated by the delegates Of
the old parties in convention assembled;
therefore. the "issue" is that all men
who vote for these candidates are
| friends, "favorcrs, Of vice and crime,
and look proptiously" on these
things, and are not hostile to vice, or
To the institution which is the breeder
of vice and crime. \ rather serious
charge when reduced TO ANALYSIS.
When he says, If any word spoken
or voluntary act performed by man,
the natural and necessary result of
which he knows when he performs it,
is to promote the saloon, it is entirely
fair TO say on the authority Of Webster,
That man is friend OF the saloon. +"
he falls in with the very common as
sumption that the old party voter
knows the necessary result Of his vote
will he 10 promote the saloon; while
all know that the result of the votes
Of many old party voters has been
against and in prohibition Of the saloon
in many pi Is, and that the result of
the new party voters, as Il party, has
not vet been 10 Danish the saloon anv-
where, and that the result is still
problemalical as to that party. IS . :
Our brother, in the process OF his
argument, eliminates the sentiment OF
feelings, in the hearts and minds of
the "old party voters; he also omits
all factors of speech and acts that
constitute what is called demeanor or
conduct save one; he says this attitude
Of favor Is TO he Judged by the con
duci." and he makes the whoic attitude
and conduct" consist in the one act OF
voting for candidates. What "A tre-
mendous conclusion for these brethren
to draw from 80 minor premise.
They give no credit for feelings and
none for conduct taken as whoie,
and arrogatc to themselves the right To
sit iii judgement on partial evidence.
Our brother attempts To fortifv his
position by the question. DO men
gather grapes of thorns. or figs OF
thisiles ," True, we Judge tree by
its fruits: but the Judge must have
two qualifications; Jmiicid knoricdgc
of the subject matter, aud Judicnl
authority otherwise, he comes under the
command, Judge not, etc. The
nurseryman would hot allow the sailor
to decide the character, quality, OF
kind OF trees to be dug about, or those
to be dug up and cast into the fire
nor would the sailor allow the nursery.
man 10 stand on the quarter deck, and
direc, the navigation aud course q: hi.
ship.
Ii these brethren can show such
knowledge and authority as entitle:
them to pass judgement. from the on,
act of voting, emitting all other "con.
duet OF citizens, who, apparently, ar.
equally rs wise, learned and pious and
siucere as themselves. then the voter.
with the old parties must submit to tn,
verdict. But till then. they will M
doubt claim the right To decide fol
themselves, as To the natural and
necessary consequences of their con
duct in voting. The charge mad,
goes back to the motive, though
doubtless not intended, aud zoe,
forward 10 results; for in the on,
aspect il involves friendship, (whicl
lies in the intcn,) and IN the other
knowledge OF results.
| NOW, tue intent Ut iHUtlNc NHPTtlt
lies the character Of conduct of a per
son is demonstrated in two way, b,
hi> declarations. which is called dircc
evidence and secondly by his acts
and conduct, which i indirect evidence
II one declares his intent, and We be
lieve him To be sane and truthful. wt
are compelled to credit his declarations
Notwithstanding hi, act, are To oul
minds Inconsistent Herewith. Tw,
surgeons are called in to see Il suffer
ing patient; oae declares that 10 u>,
the knife would he cruel and end il
death; the other declares that tie use
Of the knife mcauS life, and to Withhold
il means death; which OF them is til,
r...,..i 1 "A H..