The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-04-16
THE EssIorIoNSA1 ErIDEM1o.

I 3
The temperance agitation is only
another variety of the emotional epi-
demic. A wild, fanaticaI outbreak OF
this kind is in itself q form of lissi-
patton. not far removed, either in NOR
al or physical consequences, from that
which is indulged in by the frequent
ers of the whisky bars IF the raid on
the liquor shops is only part of a gem
eraI revival, it can be readily explain
ed, and may be expected in the end to
contribute very considerably to the
prosperity of these establishments. If
public opinion in the districts in ques-
ton is really in favor of suppressing
the whisky traffic, it might be left to
| die out from simple starvation. since
public houses would not be kept open
il there were no customers TO support
them. On the other hand, if people
are determined to have drink, the pro-
come mockery. a7ttl2s
What chiefly deserves to be noticed
about this agitation is that it is simply
form of mob intimidation, which,
in any country where personal rights
were respected and reasonable free
dom maintained, would be Suppressed
at once by the authorities. 1.-THE peo-
pie who are now praying down the
rum-shops and whisky-bar really be-
lleved in the efficacy of PRAYER pure
and simple, they would be content TO
pray comfortably at home, instead
of going ont into the streets. The
mere fact that the prayers have to sibe
delivered in the presence of the saloon
keeper or in front of his saloon suffi-
ciently proves that the prayers are
directed, not to Heaven, but at the
persons who are to be coerced. The
Times, in that faddy document doc
trinaire spirit which has of late be-
come its second nature. has warned
the publicans of England that if they
do not take care, they may come to be
handled the same way as the whisky
dealers of Ohio. 1t is impossible to
suppose that the writer distinctly re-
allied in his own mind all the condi-
tions of a movement which, in point
of fact, amounts to an absolute sub
version of social order. In some
parts of the United States there is q
law, against the sale of intoxicating
liquors in other parts the sale is free
aud lawful. Where the trade is pro-
libited it is for the authorities to put
it down but that it should be possible
for trade which is perfectly lawful
to2ae suppressed by mobs of bowling
W omen In the streets is clearly vio-
lation of one of the first principles of
government.
1t is perfectly plain that this is not
service of prayer, but noisy physi-
cal terrorism, and that it ought to be
suppressed by the authorities as vio-
lation ofpublic ORDER The women
have, of course, a right to pray as
much as they like-but they have not
right to pray just where they like
in anybody's house, or in front of his
shop-doof, blocking up ali access to
it. The democratic and fanatical idea
that the end justifies the means; and
that the will of the people must be
carried out on hand. without the tedi-
ons constitutional ceremonies of pass
ing laws aud entrusting them to re-
sponsible authorities under strict reg
ulations, has perhaps made progress
in this country since it has been taken
up by the Times; bnt we trust that
we are still far off from the tyranny
of the mob in this blasphemons and
disgusting form, Agitstors have no
more right to pray in the streats in or
der to inIimidate private persons, than
to hold meetings there for a similar
object; and it is necessary TO remem-
Der that weapon of this kind is ca
pable of great variety of uses besides
that of crushing one set of shop-keep-
ers.