The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-11-04
THE LLOUOR QUESTION.

An attempt is being made to intro
duce new issue in this campaign by
the Anti-SaIoon League. Instead Oh
supporting Mi. Baker because 1t be-
lieves in Republican policies, its OIL
cial organ, "The American Issue,
places its opposition TO MIR. Talbot
on the ground that the members Or
the last Legislature from Baltimore
county voted against the Leagues
local option bill. Is this fair to Mr.
Talbot, or is 1t right to attempt TO
get men who believe in Democratic
principles to vote against their con-
victions, which are in issue, for be-
lief, that il not an issue
We do not know whether or not
MIR. Talbot was responsible for the
attitude Of the Baltimore county del
egation in the last Legislature on the
LIQUOR question The charge that he
was il OF course insulting to the in
telligence. and integrity of these men
who were presumed to be capable Or
forming their own judgment. no
matter though what may have
caused them to vote as they did, or
even admitting that Mr.. Talbot was
responsible for their action, yet, his
defeat this fall will not help matters,
nor aid the cause of temperance
This attempt then can only spring
from either a desire to see. the sue
cess Of the Republican party or from
a spirit Of revenge. ,. ........-. .
1t is hard to believe that a paper
which says 1t IL "An Advocate OF
Christian Patriotism would harbor
malice and illwill and practice doc
trlnes antagonistic to the teachings
OF Christ. liz 1T does, then it should
throwffofr its disguise, and fearlessly
proclaim it, true character and not
masquerade In the cloak Of religion.
If. It is supporting Mr. Baker be-
cause IT. believes in the practices OF
the Republican machine In recent
years, which IL now. causing nation
wide revolt on the part of it's mem
bers, II. would be more honest to say
NO instead of pretending that tits in
sympathy with and believes r. Demo
cratic principles. Such q 1. course
would not deceive any Democrat, why
is 1t not followed
It il impossible to make the liquor
question in Maryland an issue this
fall. The success OF defeat of MIR.
Talbot will have nothing to do. with
the passage of an anti-saloon bill by
the next Legislature Of Maryland.
No one can dispute this, yet, his de-
feat might mean the defeat Of low
tariff bill. And knowing this the
Democrts OF this district are asked to
vote against him !
The prohibition voters, men who
honestly believe i'm prohibition, have
selected their standard bearer and
will vote for him. Would it not be
more appropriate for the Anti-Saloon
League to support him, if it is the
success of prohibitions it is seeking,
and not revenge or the success Of the
party
Maryland has a great deal of local
option territory and has had for years.
In the parts where intoxicating
liquor is sold, it's sale is regulated
by severe laws. ALI these laws have
been passed by Democrats, yet our
party is opposed practically always,
by this organization. Why is this, if
its pretence of Democrtic belief is
true :?
1t is plain, however, that the OPP
position of this organ to Mr.. Talbot
arises, either from the fact that it is
a Republican paper, or that it wishes
to punish him for the acts of others.
In one case no Democrat could re
spond to its call; in the other, IL he
is fair man or christian, he should
not. In either case its cause is in
defensible and instead of gaining
votes for Mr.. Baker it should cause
him to lose them.