The aegis & intelligencer., 1897-12-03
LOIE Is. LILY.

The movement in favor of a high
license for the sale of liquor, first sug
gested by the last grand jury and
dwelt upon more at length by The
1Egis, is assuming large proportions,
and has already aroused the full op-
position OF all those elements which,
in season and out of season, with rea-
son and without reason, oppose the
granting of any form of license. The
two other papers in Bel Air may be
classed among these elements, and they
appear much wrought up over the
matter.
To the scurrilous publication in the
Bond street organ, the family journal
of the proprietors of the jug taverDs
which flourish most on that street, we
shall make no reply, for in early boy
hood we discovered the disastrous
consequences of controversy with a
skunk, and to the more courteously
worded attack of the Democrat we
have only to say that we can hardly
be fairly accused of misquoting
document which we printed in full in
another column close by. The grand
jury placed the remedy in the alter.
native-a stronger law or license. As
the law had been framed by the coun-
sci of the temperance leagues to suit
themselves, and as they have ever
hor in r hn
sumption was irresistible that the only
feasible remedy is license, and we
took that view of it.
No truthful, honest man can accuse
The 1tgiS of having any selfish inter-
est to serve by advocating any change
in the law. Our sole aim is to pro-
mote the moral and material welfare
of the community, and we could not
possibly expect to reap any benefit
from the change except what would
inure alike to all from a higher stand
ard of frugality and industry and
more prosperous business conditions.
Therefore, we shall continue, regard
less of narrow-minded criticism and
Pharisaical taunts, to do all we can
for the good of the town and the coun-
ty whose interests concern US so near
iy.
A striking commentary upon the
uselessness of the present law and the
sincerity of those who profess to be-
lieve in its efficacy as moral agent is
the establishment within the last
week, in the very shadow of the court
house, of another dispensary, having
no other avowed object than the dis
posal of the largest possible quantity
of liquor i'll the shortest possible time.
And we venture to say that the pro-
prietor may do so without the slight
est technical infraction of the law.
And he may sell, if he chooses, to
minors, to drunkards, on Sundays and
at all hours of the day and night, not
only without breaking the law, but
under its protection.
We have four trains daily from
Baltimore, and three mails u day to
the city, in addition to telegraph ser
vice. A bibulously inclined individ
ual can send in the morning for gal
ton of whisky and have it in time to
get drunk before dinner. If he fears
then that he will not have enough to
see him and his friends through, he
can send again and get another install
ment by night. Apples persist in grow
ing in our orchards, and of them cider
can be made, which, as ShoaCn tac0
rceeES ago, lCiU make u man drunk
enough to cOnLHU murder. Grapes,
black berries and other vegetable pro.
ducts grow wild, and in pursuance of
the organic laws of the universe, 1cU
feruent, when crushed, and produce
alcohol. In view of this state of facts,
what childish folly it is to attempt to
make men sober by legislative enact
ment.
Brethren of the Temperance
Leagues, we will tell you how you can
aid the cause which you profess to
love. Instead of long winded sermons,
preached to those of your own way of
thinking, big reunions of women and
children and others who are sober
mainly because they have never felt
temptation, coupled with violent ami
madversions against all who do not
agree to the letter with your peculiar
views, suppose you adopt little more
of the practice of Him you claim to
serve. Seek not to reclaim the drunk
ard by dashing the cup from his lips
with abuse and threats. Cease at
tempting to reform him by ostracism
from society, and rid yourselves of the
idea that you can, by parading your
sanetity before him, cause him to look
up and aspire to your superior state,
as toad might be supposed to regard
a peacock sitting on a gatepost. Meet
him on the contrary with a kind hand
and CHEEKY voice and an honest, hui
man endeavor to help him. Lead him
to regard you as n friend, not an
enemy, find out what his temptations
are. for it may be, had you encountered
half as much as he, you would have