The New York herald., 1876-09-03
"THE CHURCH MILITANT" AGAIN.

In your issue of the 9th ult q correspondent has
given account OF the assault upon Rev. Mr.. Page
on Saturday afternoon, 10Th ult, by stranger While
stating general truth he has made mistakes
particulars Mr.. Page did not striko this and
never used his fist upon any one. No blood WAS
drawn. Alter this man had made assault and at
tempted to draw pistol Mr.. Page addressed himself
business Of preventing the OF the pistol and
succeeded such endeavor. 1t flashed through the
mind how a worthy aud inofIensve neighbor, Mr.
Beatty had been shot In cold blood recently by 'Crow
Murray" and would have been killed but for the
shield Of his office, from which the ball glanced into
his arm To Mr.. Page there seemed other way Of
escape by preventing tho use OF the pistol Now,
the sssailant was stranger He probably never saw
Mr. Page before the occasion in question. and could
have -will toward him personally, and would do a
kindness 10 him II he had opportunity But there Is
no mistaking the demon by which this assalant was
inmed and his nerves were stimulated and
his moral restraints were overcome by strong
drink At such times the bad passion.
Of nature obtain the ascendancy and the
creature desires to and to do harm 10 some
And his demonincal spirit Is most at variance with
whatever suggests a rebuke TO his conduct Ii man
has renounced his respect Tor humanity, even Tor him
SELF and has determined 10 trampe upon Gods COM
mandments, he is most hostile to whatever incon.
sistent with his moral condition-to that which more
nearly represents what you are pleased TO denominate
the ''Church Militant" Now, might 60 up aud
down quiet paths aud Try to forget The SIN and
misery perhaps cannot mend, and content ourselves
the knowledge that there is locality where
morality ls Qute IL tue lnhu VINO lnduc tuiS
assault would only let strong drink llone his better
qualities would assert themselves. and he could be
brought to rcspectsbity. But careful observation
will satisfy the more thoughtful that tho evils from the
troe salo anu Tree use OF strong drink are inceasiDg
that there Is growing disregard Tor human rguts aud
human lie, and that the poison IRON this source Will
be largely infused that moral and religious people
safely walk through certain localities because
they may be danger OF assassination the enemles
the immortality there rcgnin2 There Is before The
mind geute Christian woman who Is truthful and
aniabe and conscientious IN the performance OF duty
who sometimes given strong drink. At such time
she becomes 10 better than "A iiend-given 10 lying
and cursng and utterly regardless OF the feelings and
nights OF others. There are young men who have
been well brought up aud who yet have been enticed
into liquor saloons in early years ana icduced to
drink until habit Is formed and they led into all
the evils OF intemperanoe. Is there not some way by
wh ich such persons may come themselves again.
There iour States o the Union wherein copses
sell alcoholic drinks are withheld by authority, and
where pubic opinion IS at standard high enough 10
sustain the law These States Name, New Hamp-
sphiro Vermont and Iowa Aud we need not consult
statistics to enable TO that there comparative
freedom from crime and poverty and degradation. Let
US walk through any street that Is thorouyhfare,
In any popuous neighborhood, and count tho shops in
winch strong drinks are sold. either wholly
ncction with groceries, and we shall find such shops
on nearly every block. from to the street
How many thousand such places are thero
in the CITY OF Brooklyn aoueY Let hope 10 see the
dav when shall have power OF pubic opinion
enforce law that refuses license to sell alcoholic
drinks Such law cannot the work oi carly
training to the young but II will reduce crime and
pauperism and the taxes which crime and pauperism
carry along with them. Until such law is enforced
tho peace and order OF any our city communities
will be seriously endangered and human lie Will be
lightly valued therein =.