The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-06-30
MhNTUA.
lCoRREsPnNnENcfi !

! OO1lIOH Has Sldftetl anew the QQeSLlOn
must we have liquor sellers among
us?-cannot something be done to
save those who are fast becoming
wrecks of humanity and soon to fill
drunkards graves? Too frequently
we see some young man or some
neighbor, whose insane thirst for the
accursed poison has caused him to lose
the control of his reason and better
nature, and act che mere brute without
manifesting even the brutal instincts
of self preservation.
Only day or two ago couple of
young men or boys rassed by under a
broiling sun, furiously driving a poor
horse, whose sides were reeking with
foam, and as they urged the painting
animal to faster speed, these brutal
drivers, rendered perfectly crazy by
frequent draughts of liquid damna-
ton, shouted, and sung, and raved
like untamed demons, until their fran
tic shouts and hideous outcries were
lost in the distance. At other times
we witness the reeling' and unsteady
efforts of the more quiet and silly
drunkard, as he makes the most stren-
uous exertions to preserve the center
of gravity, while the sober beast that
he rides, seems to be conscious that |
his superior instincts are just then
needed, for the protection of his rider
who occasionally brings up on the
bosom of mother earth, and quietly
yielding to the soothing influences
around him, enjoys refreshing slum-
der for season. Sometimes by kindly
assistance he is enabled to mount to
his former position, but only to enact
the same scene over again until his
bottle is empty, when gradually rea-
son resumes its wonted sway. Now
the why, and the wherefore, that hui
manity is thus wrecked, should be
matter of serious inquiry. Why do ,
human beings, endowed with intel
lectual faculties capable of guiding
them Alright thus sink their manhood
and become lower than the brutes !?
Imperfect and defective physical or :
ganization, and lack of proper educa- {
ton will partially answer the question I
but still large amount of blame rests d
in another quarter. Those who put q
the cup to their neighbor's lips, are p
not altogether guiltless, and indeed
upon them should the greater part of
the responsibility rest, for the sad and
scenes, so disgraseful to .
human nature, that we are continually .
witnessing, not only in our own town. d
ship, but in many other places all over n
the land. Our laws are powerless to e
counteract such results, for every
species of trick and devise is resorted a.
to for evading the penalties which are te
attached to violations of the imperfect
laws now in our statutes, for they are
well known to only partially reach =
the evil complained of. =
In my tours of observation, 1 have \
the sly and cunning move :
nents of some thirsty soul, as he +
wishes to moisten his clay with the
orbidden beverage at a respectable h
grocery. He will tip knowing wink
% the honest and honorable proprie- q
or, when as by some irresistible at :
ractlon, their coat tails approach each
'ther, hand is seen to pass a key sh
rom one of the aforesaid coat tails to
he other, and him who thirsts imme-
lately departs cellarwards. Present. B.
he emerges form the lower regions,
olemnly drawing a coat sleeve across i
lis moistened lips, and the coat tails g.
gain become subjected to the above >
mentioned mysterious influence. A
igar, or a handful of peanuts are
purchased, and the poor thirsty soul
eparts, with peculiar grin of satis-
action, at the part he has acted in the at
lay of cheating the laaU, never dream no
ng that he is cheating himself of
ealth, fortune and respectability all
ne while. All this time the shrewd
nd innocent liquor seller goes on ac-
umulating his ill-gotten gains, utter #
regardless of the ruin and wretch 50
dness that he is bringing on individ- sea sea
ais, families and society. How long
lust such things be tolerated?
The grove meeting on the farm of III,
. Vaughn, was attended by large
I'D respectable audience on Sunday D
st. Among the speakers we noticed act
7. Carlton, Esq, of Shalersville; Mr.. 'ne'
nipple, of South Newbury; Mr..
arnum, of Braceville and d. w.
ing, of Hiram. Mr.. Whipple's dis
urses, both forenoon and afternoon, !.
ere characterized by bold and earn Bia
t effort, clear and distinct enuncia- '-''
IN and deep historical aud philosoph-
Al research, and they carried convic-
IN of their truth to the free minds
the attentive audience there assem- ~,
ed. A similar meeting will be held 1Oc-
the same place on the last Saba tn
August next.
The weather has been excessively p
It for the last few days, the farmers
9 busy hoeing their corn, and we TIL
casionally hear the busy hum and entil
'tter of the moving machine, show
that the season of haying and har.
sting will soon be upon us.
"VER1rAs." f.#
M ANITA TITNr 97 1910 Oh