The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-07-22

which the privileges of others are abus-
led, and by which their privileges are ta-
ken away? Is it right to abuse our
selves? Is it right to murder by the
wholesale? would simply say, that if
the course pursued by our law makers is
fright, then these questions must be an
lswered in the affirmative But if they
we're to answer these questions thus,
openly, am very sure their seats would
soon be filed with more worthy men, ,and
as it stands with them to-day am sure
that they will need nothing but their con-
science to condemn them in the great
Iday of God.
Will you not, Mr.. Law-maker, heed
1.-THE fact that millions of your very best
|fitizens are crying to you in one united
and demanding prohibition of both
IEthe mann. .sse'siire and sale Of all kindsof
lardent spirits2 Win you not heed the
mouraful cry and come to the help of
your country's welfare, by placing upon
| the starute books OF this nation such
laws as will take away our reproach take
away from US this soul-destroyi ing traffic
and save our beloved country from the
culse Of God, that will surely fall upon
| us unless we repent?
But there are other evils growing up
| in cur land that threaten our country's
welfare, among which are moneyed mo
nopoIics, resulting in the sure and Ger.
tam oppression of the poor classes, and
granting superior privileges to the veal
| thy. Upon what principle of justice can
lit be claimed that one man, however
wealthy, may oppress another, however
jpoor he may be2 Certainly not upon
that couched in the declared principles of
our government. This, it seems to me,
also is matter that needs the same kind
of legislation, positive and certain.
Ono other question only can I mention
on this side of the picture: The growing
disposition to corrupt the heads of de-
partments. For the correction Of all
which We look for, and hopefully rely
on, the wakefulness and watchfulness of
the free people of this nation, in whose
hand is placed the great engine Of cor
rection, the ballot-boS.
Turning, citizens, to you, the
other side of the picture, we find many
elements Of strength in our nation. First
of all, believe that our great strength
lies in our trust in that Divine Provi-
dence who has marked out glorious
destiny for US, which must be worked
out, and that, too, under the direction Of
that same Divine and Omnipotent Hand.
But we must not be ignorant OF the fact
that many scourges may be in waiting
for us, not fixed, perhaps, but depending
upon our strict adherence to principle,o or
| otherwise, for their number and intensi-
| ty. You will see therefore that, although
we may rely upon the final overruling OF
Providence, we may as we'll accept the
| fact that upon our own shoulders rests
great responsibility. and that the pros
pcritv o: this country depends to great
extent Ipcn fhe action uf-ouf people,
upon whose shoulder it rests. For as
each generation leaves it so will each
succeeding one find it, and would, if l
could, blow the nations liberty trumpet
so loud that the echo might resound
from sea to sea, until all the nations
sons and sires might hear the warning
voice, and stand upon their signal posts,
ready to deliver themselves from every
evil that may from time to time spread
her wings of diabolical cunning over the
unsuspecting of our nation. ! would
say, let us sail clear of the Charibdises
and Scillas that may be found lying In
the great ocean path along which our
noble ship is sailing.
But, / would say, l can see an ocean
of strength in .he real and noble patriot
ism of our people; for believe that the
great majority of our people are to-day
filled with that same noble patriotism
which prompted our forefathers to break
the iron fetters of Old England. and
which has filled the hearts of the sue
ceeding generations, who has brought US
/ up through many dark day of trial and
hard struggle, and has secured to us
| (their sons and daughters } this mighty
nation, the pride of the world.
The power of the press, when we con
slider the millions of capital and thou
sands of presses, and the myriads of
master minds engaged in the work of
spreading intelligence over the land, is
simply untold and incomprehensble.-
Bat we must not lose sight of the fact
that so great a power can and may be
turned to evil as well as good,and there
fore demands the application Of the
same rules Of legislation mentioned
above, and l am glad to know that it is
receivlng attention, Many things might
iyet be mentioned upon the subject of the
strength and weakness of this govern
ment, bat this must suffice for the pres
eut
But with all.my fellow citizens, / look
to the future with hopes exceedingly en-
couraeing for our country's welfare, and
| | find much encouragement in the mighty
tconyulsions of the world around us. 1t
bat betokens that our influence is being
| felt to 'earih's remotest bounds;" and,
Projecting upon these matters, friends, let
each one after having found our partic
. .ular sphere Of action in the great drama
of life, pelform our duties well, and by
the help of Almighty God, all will be
well
| EEApropos OF a remark that Rus
slams are absolutely incapable of under
standing or approaching joke, this
story is related: ''An Englishman was
| relating TO a Russian friend that he had