Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-12-07
The Procriptivs Spirit of Old Line

difference In the spirit OF the two new
parties that are now striving Tor the
mastery. II we see Alright. one wishes
to gather strength by convincing its
opponents that the measures Il advo-
Gates are right. in themselves, and
would promote tie best interests Of
the nation. and Of the world. and we
think, in the argument, they have ev-
cry desirable advantage. They are
willing TO meet those who differ from
them, in open debate. and await the
issue. Thus. they contend openly,
tha,.the present traffic in intoxicating
liquors is mischievous, and should be
restrained. They insist, and are will
ling TO try TO prove. that slavery Is a
curse, which should not be permitted
to spread over our fair land
But how are they met? On the
slavery question they are FIRST branded
with opprobrious epithets, aud then
threatened that II their schemessucceed
the Union shall be dissolved instanter.
Those most directly interested, in the
spread OF slavery, are aided by their
northern allies; and those who oppose
IL. have to meet. at every turn. the
threatened dissolution Of the Union.
Meanwhile social. moral and business
relations between the parties are to-
tally suspended. or threatened to be-
During the late Ohio canvass. the
chief argument against the Republic
can candidate was that II he succeed.
ed the South ,eouid ,silldraso rs trade
from Ohio. This is the spirit Of slav-
cry. II is essentially intollerant. 1t
cannot meet an opponent on good
grounds, but must come, bully like,
and demand submission TO It's man.
dates, or the terrible consequences Of
a civil war.
But this spirit OF prescription is
carried still further The harsh cpl
thets of ORATORS" williams" "disu-
nionists" "robbers." 'assassins' "mur-
derers." &C.. are indicative Of the
feelings that obtain in the breasts of
these men who would force us 10
yield TO their demand, or at least
cease to oppose them. As an illus
tration Of the extent to which this is
carried. we may say that it has enter
ed the lodges Of various orders We
have personally been made a victim
Of it. A few months ago we sent to
the Brookville Lodge Of Odd Fellows
a card. with the requisite adjoining
fee. 1t furnished a good opportuni-
ty for some old liners to vent their
spite on US. Forthwith it was resolv-
ed to black ball US. and at the next
meeting the requisite number Of the
right kind of men were brought in'
and our proposition was rejected. 1t
was Notifying to the better portion
Of the lodge, but they could not help
it. Old Lineism was there. and it
must make its mark, and virtually
say that henceforth no man who is
opposed to them in politics. and espe-
cially no one who Is an opponent Of
the liquor traffic, shall enter Penn
Lodge. The tamencss OF spirit with
which the majority of the lodge yield
ed 10 the declaration Of this purpose,
and the readiness with which they
circulated the fact among the fraterni-
ty. was remarkable. They can hope
henceforth to enjoy only the society Of
those sober men whom they now have
for surely no man will carry up the
proposition Of moral and temperance
man, and no moral man will seek to
be associated with lodge that rejects
temperance men.
We were aware that the prominent
part we had taken in the canvass for a
prohibitory law had not made us pop.
lar with such men. but we very little
expected that, after membership Of
twelve years, we would be deprived
Of the privileges Of lodge. by them,
The same spirit has shown itscI
against another and more worthy man.
But few weeks ago. a Methodist
preacher, well known and highly es,
teemed in this county. applied to the
Masonic Lodge, in this place, for adj
mission. Against his character not q
word can be uttered, but being q
Methodist preacher, it was presumed
he is in favor Of aprohibitory law, and
some lovers Of liquor determined tha
ifthey could not out-argue him, and
out-votc him at the polls. they could
show their detcstation Of him, BY
black-balling him, and il was done
accordingly.
1t Is due to the sober and mora
portion Of the lodge to say that they
regarded this course Of one or two o.
their number with the most decided
disapprobation. 1t serves to show
however. the spirit of prescription
that reigns among the lovers Of whis'
ky, and we allude to the acts Of the
two lodges merely to show.how far mer
will allow their hostility to temperate,
men to so, and what temperance mer
may expect in their contest agains
whisky.