Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-06-10
THE WINCHESTER RIOTS.
BERLIN ITEIonTs. Erie Co., Ohio, |
May, IL, 1854.
June lth, 1861.

DERLIN HEIGHTS, Erie CO., OuO,
May, H. 1854. |
The physical force argument adopted by the
women of Winchester, in the suppression of the
rum traffic, has called forth good deal Of lauda-
tory criticism from the press. No doubt much of
this is owing to editorial gallantry. FOR it can
hardly be possible that any higher principle is at
the root Of IL. The Lily, Of course, must bo an
exception, as it claims the high honor Of being
conducted solely by womcr. The Lily thus con-
cludes an article upon the subject MAY the good
work begun by the women of Winchester, be per-
severed in. Let them not cease their labors let
their zeal and determination never faltcr or grow
cold, but let them keep steady eye on the foe,
and be ready for an attack whenever he manifests
disposition TO resume his fendsh work, and
their triumph will in tho end be complete" The
Lily is paper intended to elecdie woman--a paper
devoted to her hghesf Interests. Yet the Lily ap.
proves Of the course taken by the women of Win
chester and calls their exhibition of physical force
a good rork" If it be good work" in women,
to cultivate the lower passions Of their nature, and
| give full rein to their combatycncss and destruc-
tiyencss, then the Lily is right, and women ought
to club together, make exciting speeches, arm
themselves with weapons, and proceed to the work
of destruction But it appears to be rather an mn.
elcyating course of training for tho fair ones Of
the land, The Lily must have an exalted view Of
"good work" for the women. But it is to suppress
the rum traffic. What then becomes Of woman's
boasted moral power if she must keep steady
eye ON the foe, and be ready for an attack" with
hatchets? The advocates of Womans Rights have
made the moral argument their strongest position
" The presence Of women" say they, lat the hus-
tings or at public meetings, would have q softening
influence upon the other sex-it would purify and
elevate public sentiment" Truly, a mob of Spar
tan ladies" dashing into the midst of an election
meeting, after the fashion of the Winchester ladies
into grog shop would have an ennobling inHu-
encc on the public mind. Yet who can say such
would not be the case, when we find the fair adyo-
cate Of physical force in the Lily justfyng femi-
nine riots. On the other hand, the opposers of
Woman's Rights have said: ''What allow women
to 60. within the communicating influence of an
election mob? Woman, naturally SO retiring, so
kind, so gentle, and so modesti Preposterous
How corruptng-how demoralizing! However
anomalous it may appear, the doings at Winchester
triumphantly rcfute both these POSITIONS The
Womans Rights man can no longer advance the
moral argument. Nor can the anti-W oman's Rights
man exclaim, with sickish sentimentalism, "Oh
these women are too soft too tender, too gentle,
too amiable to compete with tho rowdies and ruff.
: Of the opposite SEX
Those who have the moral training Of the youth
in hand will find their efforts forever unayailng II
they exhibit n their own lives reckless disregnrl
for order and peace. What impression would the
father make upon his child if constantly prcaeh.
ing the superiority Of moral suasion, and at the
same time daily applying the lash! If il 10 sun
posed that the mother endeayors to ineulcats the
higher principles Of purity is her example of les,
r important than that Of the fatheri How can she
then, with proprety, teach the doctrines Of peace
and lorbcarance while she exhibits the sad examnl,
Of sailying forth with bludgeon or an axe to de
moiish her ncghbors property? How can sh,
demand OF her son or her husband a higher re
spect for the great principles Of righteousness thar
! she is capable Of feeling or appreciatingi What
ever may be the object Of such demonstrations ,h,
c effect upon the community is decidedly injurious.
if VIC may judge from the encouragement tn.
II Winchester women had from the clergy, we ma,
look upon this but the bsginainy Of the end
every town in the Uai,ed States will have an organ
ized hand Of rioters, ''arraycd with ,,sh Gsre an,
n hatcAets." A glorious trio, What conneetio,
; there is between love and hatchcts, We leave 70
! j. Davis " explain. II cannot be the sane kin,
of love manifested By Christ toward publicans an,
sinners. Pcrhurs the Rev J. J. Cooper, or III,