Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-05-14
For the Chronicle
THE PRESENT CRISIS.

F1teHd CHTORlCtc II was none sur
prised, but somewhat amazed at the lit
tie note prefacing my communication
headed "The Present Crisis" in the is
sue of April SOth. Mutilate this in any
manner you see fit only so you publish
mine yer balm. For | have 10 fear for
the fate of either this or its predecessor,
in the estimation of the better portion of
your readers. In fact 1 have been as
sUred by many of our first citizens, that
they saw no grounds for such excep-
lions, and that the note was the greatest
riddle of all. l said that 1 was not sur
prised, the reason was this 1 am aware
of the difficulties attending the publca-
ton of county sheet, whose patrons
are as diverse in opinion and feeling
as the varying hues of a chameleon, es-
pecially upon reformatory topics. And
1 was amused TO see the amount of ig-
norance that existed in business circles,
relative to the deep toned and earnest
feelings of the mass of our citizens upon
this point; also Of the real active ex-
istence of deep, strong and irresistible
current of popular indignation which is
soon destined TO sweep this outlawed
traffic from our midst. To such let me
say they need neither to fear or tremble
for results. The people are awake to
sense of their wrongs.
Threats and menaces which has in
times past deferred temperance men and
our citizens generally, from doing their
duty and enforcing the laws of the State.
will no longer avail. Those outlawed
wretches who spider like decoy their
victims into dark holes and corners and
strive to cover their nefarious operations
with the mantle of darkness and decep-
ton, will yet be dragged out to the light
of day, and their doings exposed. Strait
egem will alone counteract Strategem,
and Ambush for Ambush is an old rule
of military tactics.
Liquor sellers well know that brute
force and influence, can alone uphold
wrongs, and the history of their past is
one Of desperate expedients. Every per-
son who has attempted to bring them to
justice, thus far, has been threatened
even on the public highway, either in
life, person or property. No longer ago
than about the first of March, heard
liquor dealer threaten TO rcurder one of
his victimized customers if he dared to
complain On him-not alone, but in the
midst OF a crowd, and on one OF our
business streets. Only week or two
since, liquor seller had the audacity
to ask a temperance man if the tempe
rance men had not found letter stating
that if they prosecuted the rummies,
that the town would be burnt. Such |
threats, and insinuations, are as vain,
and empty, as the coUard hearts that
gave them birth and will be regarded .
with scorn and contempt, by the partici-
pators in the present movement.
Perhaps the reason why the Editor of
the Chronicle fails to respond to the SEN
timents, or appreciate the necessity Of
the strong language, embodied in my
frst-is, that lie has never taken the
pains 10 fully inform himself of the ma
ture and extent of the traffic, as carried
on in our midst. Could he take IA
miliar stroll, as 1 have done, into the
dark recesses Of those hells of druken-
ness, which curse every corner and neck
of our business streets, and there see dis
sipated youth, and bloated age, freely
partakirg of that which has already
blasted the happiness of home-perhaps
already thrown them. depraved being,
into the merciless grasp of justice, as
an offender-still drinking of that cup
that excites to madness, with no other
restraint than the length of their purse.
Could he see the stealthy step, sly look,
and hear the slang talk that precedes the
delivery of the ominous looking pint
measure, and the receipt of the half dime
in these schools of deception and crime,
we doubt not but he would come forth
with more radical feelings upon the sub
ject, than possessed his brain the time of
penning that "note." Perhaps he would
feel just as much disposed to publish ar
ticles of local cast for iohat they are
north. without tapping them on tie head
with his authoritative quill, as those of
mere abstract and sweeping character.
But as it is, we must rest the matter upon
his supposed ignorance of the nature, ex-
tent and nearness of this evil, and the
necessity of an immediate
remedy, and a proper public sentiment
to back it.
To conclude, 1 hope that both the
press and the people, will be on hand to
assist in this laudable undertaking, and
hat all good citizens will hold themselves
in readiness TO speak timely word in fa-
vor of law, order, and public morals, at
all times, and in all places.
A CITIZEN.
THE enjoyments of the selfish are low