The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-07-25

8. d. HARRIS, Esq, EDITOR DEMO
CRATIC Press.

8. d. HARRIS, Esq, EDITOR Demo-
CRATIC Press.
DEAR SIR From the many unfa.
vorable comments, with one exception,
made by corresponds ats to the Cleve-
land dailies, on an unhappy occurrence
which took place in our quiet village
on last Tuesday evening, 1 feel my
self in duty bound to relate the cir.
curnstances regarding it as they took
place.. 1t seems that John Fitzgerald
has been under the eyil influence of
liquor since the 4th inst, and during
that time night and day, been annoy
ing his neighbors and family by abu-
sive and obscene language. One Of
his next door neighbors, who was
made the particular subject of attack,
ametwice, and requested that should
go and talk with him, and that If l
could not by my influence check him,
recourse should be had to the law.
Or both occasions refused to 60, say
ing did not wish to talk to a drunk
en- loafer, but when sober would call
on him. When called on the second
time wac assured that Fitzgerald
was as sober as might be expected for
some time to come, aud IL did-not go
then would not get better Oppor-
tunity until something more serious
might happen. Very unwillingly l
consented to 60. Accompanied by j.
Thomson. I went to Fitzgerald's house,
found him in an intoxicated condition,
but considered him sensible enough
to advise him of his evil course told
him he should drink no more whisky,
stop abusing his neighbors and family,
and If complaint we're again made of
his continued drinking aud abuse, es-
pecially of Thomson and family, would
have him arrested and put in q place
where he could get no drink, or abuse
his neighbors. After giving Fitzger-
aid this advice he became abusive,
swearing the name of the Most High.
I was shocked at the PROCLAMATION, for
seldom it happens that Catholic, no
matter how low lie may be sunk in the
depth of sin, would thus blaspheme in
the presence of a priest. l then said !:
How dare you. you mean, low scoun-
drel, bias pheme the name of God in the
presence of the minister of God; you
ought to be scourged." And then l
struck him with my walking cane
three blows, two on the upper portion
of the left arm and one as near as
could to the aeshy portion of the body.
did not strike on the head, nor was
the punishment brutal as the newspa-
per correspondents state. This mode
of appealing to q mans feelings is
seldom, or never resorted to save
when reason is dazsd either by pleas
ure or liquor, then a generous hand
stretched out even in apparent vio-
lence strikes stunning blow, drives
back the victim from the precipice Of
destruction over which he was falling,
and while the measure resorted to
mortifies him, it becomes whole
some rebnke. For the innate faith
which animates Catholic, be he ever
SO wicked makes him shudder when
he sees the hand that fed with spirit
ual food, aye even the bread of angels,
raised in anger against him, remind
ing him before it be too late what pun
ishment would be his if then and there
summoned face to face before an an.
CRY God. This is. the reason used
my 60, and that IL wasusod m mod
eratlon u evinced BY Iimieing my
chastisement to three light blows.
Contrary to all precedent Fitzgerald
enters complaint for assault AID bat.
terry. or rather, ,mercenery purposes as
will show. am arrested and fined.
forwhat2 For inllicting slight pun
ishment on miserable specimen Of
humanity who pr0fsnes the name Of
his God. We read In the second chap.
ter. fifteenth verse Of the Gospel ac-
cording to st. John, that our Savior
chad made,as it were, i sconrge Of lit.
tie cords-drove them all ont of the
temple, etc.,-the buyers- and sellers
for profaning the Temple of God"
And the other day His minister is pun
ished for chastising . msn who had
the temerity to blaspheme the name
Of the Lord of the sTemple. oIf I pun
ished Fitzgerald for breaking the law
of the land would indeed be arrogat-
ing an authority not vested in me, but
when I did so for his blasphemy II
think I exercised q right which tho
Church has not given me-, tor -SAe ab.
hors violence of every kind, but which
the scust0m Of Christian 4c0nQnAity
has more or less sanctio4ea ID Epirit.
ual matters, knowing the correction to
be parental, and which I meyer knew
to be questioned, except when is met
such miscreant ss Fitzgerald, Eho
from smefcenAry Amotivas Smkae Ahe
complaint. 1t seems his fands were
mighty low, becoming ''dead beat, he
wished 10 reise the s'nec9y't tA1get
more ssbenzines TO give hiuz co6r1Ke to.
abuse his family and neighbors, in- ]
dulge in his obseanity end blasPheme
his God. He was not satisfied with.
the fine when he could not share IT,
He wanted damages-damages for
whatP For injuries indicted on. him
self! For II wss clearly proven by'two
medical gentlemen at the trial that my
cane could not have caused the wound
on his arm. He thought by waving
his "bloody shirt" Ne could excite
either the prejudice or sympathy of
the citizens of Ravenna, bnt sm hap
py 10 state. that in this schemins trick
he was for The most part much disap-
pointed. 1t was too thin anyhow. 1t