The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-10-13
SURRENDER
Comes Because of Lack of Mem
tai and Moral VigOr.

Why tolerate the continued rampage
Of the red-faced monstrosity, the rum
power, which besides sowing an an
nuaI crop of degradation, and filling
our nostrils with the stencil thereof, is
laying low by assassination some of
the bravest heroes that ever unflinch-
ingly went out to do battle with a re-
morseless foe? 1t is far from a wise
business policy to nourish the vampire
that is sucking our best blood. Do we
then find it so difficult to suppress the
anarchy of the villainous interest that
will, law or no law, brew misery and
death, distil crime and sin, kill hearts
and hopes, that we fain would rid us
of further contest by licensing the
traffic? If we thus surrender and
leave the field, then it is the first time
that this people have blotted the
bright page of American history by
signing an ignominious peace; the first
time that they have laid down their
arms at conqueror's feet, or yielded
the sword to a victor. Never have the
American people fought for a cause
that was finally lost. And the indomi-
table nation that has never cried
enough" to a foreign enemy, ought
not to acknowledge itself beaten by
this domestic craven. The banner
which has tioated over every opposing
rampant hitherto should not be al
lowed to stop at the bulwark of the en-
trenched liquor power.
And it is not really valiant, gallant
foe against which we have to contend {;
it is not jolly, rollicking band, proud
CT its cause that is arrayed over
against us. They do not march to the
inspiring sound of martial music, and
they are ashamed to fly their dismal
colors. Any bravado on their part is
the sequence of our hesitate what
courage they do possess is a present
from us. Accusing conscience makes
towards. They venture out only I'M
Ger cover of our cupidity. There is
really very little to fear from a class
that skulk in alleys and retreats into
the darkness, that approaches brave
and honest men from behind. 1t ought
not to be very difficult for a majority
to intimidate a minority that blush at
the mention of their own calling.
Then what is the matter? 1t certain
ly is not lack of the desire. That it
cannot be want of courage time past
has abundantly demonstrated. What
then? 1t is a shortage of mental and
4
seem to know how to foil their per-
sistence, or do not do it, We do not
present united and determined front
TO a compact and alert foe. But we
must do 50; safety requires it; inter
est demands it. While the emblem of
freedom, the stars and stripes, waves
over our land, its integrity ought to be
maintained and rescued from the
grasping red hand of greed. IT is time
that we proved our courage and
stature and capacity to hold the fort,
that we INDICATED our virility and
stepped determinedly to the helm. Il
a minority is the power it is false to
float the flag of democracy; if the ma
iority is not to govern, why not? Sub
mission to the soiied, heavy hand that
is dragging rs down, down and trail.
ing the star-spangled banner in the
mud is not necessary.
And as the institutions that are, and
so long have been, sowing our soil wit
yirulent disease rise in mid air, with
the sound of the explosion will mingle
the huzza of the victorious army Of
men and women really emancipated,
the death rattle of much crime and
poverty; when the gloomy structures
that have so long and so disastrously
hid the sun of blessing from America s
millions topple to their fall, they will
drag down the black ensign which has
so long, so conspicuously and disas-
trously hung over its cities. When
broken bars release their Maple SIS pris-
oners, these may flock to the house Of
praise; when the saloon no longer OBJ
structs the view men can better see
the spires; if the dram shop gets out
CT the way Christianity can stride for
ward. King Alcohol must be de-
throned if King Emmanuel is to reign.
Ernest Avery, in Union Signal.