Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-07-03

uaAAH
Temperance. Pic Mic Russell and Pro.
hibltiOn.. Earnestness without In.
sanity.

Temperance. Pie. Nie-.RuSSell and Pro.
hibItiOn.. Earnestness without In
sanity.
EDITOR CHRoNIcLE:-The Temperance
picnic, which was announced for this
place on the 9th inst, came of accord
ing to appointment The audience
(which was not the largest we ever saw,
but as respectable in appearance) assem-
bled in the grove south of town at the
appointed hour. Here we listened TO
singing and to the explosion OF two fire
crackers, after which the meeting ad-
journed for dinner, which vas TO be had
from the sumptuously furnished baskets
brought upon the ground. This part of
the programme promised to be a fine
an affair as one could ask, and we were
preparing to do justice to the task before
US, when the shower which had crept
upon us unawares, d~issipated all our fun,
and SEM Us pell nell in search of shell
ter. Owing now to the condition Of the
ground and the threatening aspect of the
weather, we repaired to the Disciple
church which was oon filed with an
appreclative audience. Here we heard
something more than a fire cracker. 1t
s really refreshing 10 hear a man who
is certain he has something to say, and
who knows how to say it If any one
doubts that Mr.. Russell is such a man
they had better hear him. Clear, forci-
bic and eloquent, he holds his audience
perfectly, while they go with him gladly
through his argument. We are not now
pronouncing upon the merits of his
cause, nor shall we s. pronounce; but
wehave simply to say that Mr.. Russell,
the candidate for the Vice Presidency on
the Prohibition platform, is q prohibit
ZIONIST without being a lunatic. And
this, II not q rarity, is at least refreshing.
There is usually 50 much in the incipien-
cy of almost any reformation that is use
less, so much Of confused firing, of wild
and sweeping fansticisn, that many a
just and holy cause has been well nigh
lost In the confusion of its own creation.
II the mass Of temperance lecturers and
prohibition stumpers were as CONSTANT
and candid as this one, the cause would
advance far more rapidly. Nh. Russelrs
success as a speaker depends largely
upon his knowledge ofhuman nature
He knows how to treat his audience. He
is shrewd in putting his hardest points
He begins at once uponthe presumption
that his audience is composed of human
beings and that with himself they pos
sess somewhat of common sense and
common honesty. With this presump-
ton he proceeds to reason candidly and
forcibly. His conclusions seem to be
beyond successful controversy. and his
application comes with tremendous
power. We are not yet prepared how.
ever 70 accept all Of his conclusions. We
are not prepared to accept the PROPOSE
ton that the Republican party has done
its work, has fulfilled its mission and no
longer has an object. We are not pre-
pared to say that there are no issues OF
importance before the country. But we
are not so wrapped up in party as to be
blind to our faults, or as to choose party
before principle. The hot weather and
frequent showers interferred very much
with the arrangements Of our friends,
nevertheless they have nothing to be
ashamed OF One thing about the meet
ing pleased me, that was the good
and attention OF men of all
There seemed to be no disposi-
to override or belittle the efforts OF
the new party, but, upon the other hand,
they were treated with respect and pro-
found attention. I hope the days OF
blind hatred and wild and unprincipled
opposition to everything nesO, upon the
of its newness, which we have
seen in other days, may neyer again
disgrace our country. 1t is unmanly to
lrown unless you can give a good reason
for 1t. 1. R. A.
June %, 1872.