Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-26

He1l.l30vernAsenf.
The ruling party in this country not only
CAIN in the abstract the right Of man to
self government, but its leaders claim the
right Of oil tho inhabitants. black and white.
male aud female, wise and foolish, vile and
virtuous, 10 take direct part in the control
Of governmental affairs. by themselves vo-
ting and being eligible for ONCE. While
they rcposs to throw tho franchise open to
oil ages. sexes and conditions Of people, they
sanction q legislation which 10 based on the
supposition that the people are not only not
G. for se,f-government, but are not comps-
tent TO decide on what their own natural re-
quirements are. Nature inparts to the
beasts of the field and the fowls Of the cir.
the instinct as to what they shall eat and
drink, and our Radical friends, who would
proclaim universal suffrage throughout the
world. irrespective Of the capacity of difTes-
ent races aud nations for self COVER nment,
would deny that the intelligent white man
Of free Iowa is less capable for self governs
ment than beasts and birds. This law 10
meant especially for the poor-the rich can
have their we'll stocked cellars and the
choicest vintages Of other climes, to draw
upoh when they list. II is only the houses
Of entertainment where the poor men a..
sembc to enjoy little society, and feel
that they do indeed belong to the great fam.
'ly Of man, and that earth affords little re-
Taxation IS well AZ much tol-wh.re they
can snatch brief respite from the labor
which, pursued necessarily, makes the
heart sick it is only these that tney attack,
on the shallow pretense OF Temperance
and Reform. In every State where this
odious and iibersl law has been enforced
no good has been the result. On the con-
trary, statistics will show in every State that
the result has been an increase in crime and
drunkenness. II . man is competent TO
participate in the decisions Of questions Of
state, affecting the dsstines Of his country,
it ought to be safe to permit him to exercise
that liberty Of choice in selecting his food
and drink which is enjoyed by the free and
independent animals that rove the prairies.
To talk Of self government where such laws
are enforced is an absurdity.
While legislation thus treats the people
Of this country ~ il they were children or
luratics, the subject of regulating the sale
Of liquor, and the amusements of tho peo>
pie is being agitated in England, and instead
of deriving the working classes Of their
beer, it is proposed to open the doors of
ali kinds Of places Of amusement and recre>
alton OF Sunday. The Times in long ar
ticle says: 1--WE protest against the p:inci
pie that the working man is . child to be
taken care Of by n paternal government.
If liberalism means anything. it means the
free development Of individual men. Men
must be educated through their responsible
ities--not by relieving them Of temptation
and as long as We have freedom Of will We
must incur the risk of failure" II such
enactmenss as the Prohibitosy Law are nec>
cssary We ought to discard the pretense Of
drink what is set before us, and hug our
chains in peace and quictness.
Jons b. GoUGu oN LONDON LifE.-Ths
German Theatre was filled 90 that many
were obliged to stand, last evening, to listen
to-and see the Lights and Shadows Of
London Life. made visible by the inimitabls
powers Of Mr.. Cough, an Englishman by
birth, and an American citizen BY choice,
and hence we'll qualified to speak Of London
Life and compare it with American ideas.
We can only speak Of his lecture in general
terms. giving few saline points, as it would
be impossible to describe his nimitable ac>
tion and play of features, his sarcasm. Wit
and powers Of mimicry. His lecture, last
evening, vas combination Of the best
themselves rich and instructive, rich in ar
gument, anecdotes and fanciful illustrations,
all presented in a style peculiar to himself,
and enforced with a thrilling earnestness.
lie seemed to have perfect control over the
feelings OF the audience and able 10 touch
any passions or call up any emotion. He
started out with . historic description Of
London, its locality and extent, touching its
most striking peculiaritiss. The Thames
he calls London's vast sewerage In des>
csibing London fog, he gives with good
effect the peculiari,ies and different dispo-
sitions Of people. He spoke Of Hyde Park,
and in describing some Of Eng;and's celeb
rites. he seemed to place them in q living
light before his audience. Hs paid . glow.
ing tribute to England's Queen, and showed
in what estimation she vas held by Ameri.
ca as well a. her own subjects. He hurled the
anathmas Of just indignation against the af.
fectation Of sacred things. He gradually
held and lead his audience on until hs
reached the climax, and then, BY natural
tran sition, he would change the current Of
feeling. His description Of London's "lIelr'
was life like, yet awful 10 contemplate %
having existence in . Christisn land. Hs
spoke Of the cloquencs Of street ministers,
the true preachers Of Christianity-sf deeds
of noble charity combined with Christian
sympathy. The numerous peculisrities
seen upon the streets Of London, and Of
English AUDIENCES; the grand concert in
Christal Palace; the ruling influence Of the
London Times. and the noble. patriotic sen.
timents Of John Bright. all received due at.
tention. In closing, he hoped the American
flag would know no rival on this continent,
and that the word ''loyslty," With The hated
meaning it has assumed during the past fsw |
years, would never more b known. His |
closing sentence was imaginative Of bright |
and glorious future for our whole cesntry. |
The Association have bssn sminsauy sue |
cessful in all their undsrtakinss thus far.-l
In doing we'll BY the public they thereby |
H.