Daily globe., 1883-10-29
COMMENTS.

Passing Matters and THi,i0s-The Prohibi-
tton Q"estiOn-The CicI Rights Decision
The Dis9raceful Conduct of the Orange
men ir ireland, esala1sts
Mr.. Editor: AS this great world of ours
moves forward upon its onward, would that
we might add upward course, we scarcely
find time to do more than note as they pass
in review before us, the matters of interest
that transpire in our midst; and too often
we but read the surface of things, and are
consequently led to form psuerfciaI, and
perhaps at times even unjust, or at least
untrue, judgments of passing events. Wien
we add to this the well known fact of the
wonderful prejudice, we may be enabled
to account at least partially for the won
derful skill displayed by correspondent
in the GLOBE of the past week in inter
preting in favor of prohibitory legislation
the letters of the governor of Maine, which
he quotes for the benefit of Jour readers,
and the consolation Of the advocates of
prohibition, as the grand pana-
cea for all Imaginable ills of this misera-
bic life. In the letter in question, yoHr
correspondent quotes the said governor as
proving the conp plete success Of .prohibi-
tory laws in preventing the sale and use of
intoxicating liquors, by the statement OF
the very encouraging fact that liquor can
be obtained with very little difficulty in
only some twenty Of the larger cities and
towns of the state, besides number of
smaller towns and villages. This is GER
tainly encouraging news to those who have
toiled and lebored for the passing of pro-
hibition laws, under the impression that
the sale of Intoxicating liquors would by
this means be at least reduced within
very circumscribed limits; and we confess
that we would scarcely object to the move
ment here, If really it amounts practically
to no more than the governor of Maine
claims for it in that state. But we fail to
see wherein it proves prohibition to be
sure preventive Of the general sale of iq-
uor.
One of the passing events alluded to
above is the recent decision of the supreme
court of these United States with regard to
the legality of the civil rights bill; deci-
sion we'll worthy of attention OF the read
ers of the GLOBE, but which should not be
commented upon without such study, lest
We again fall into the error of the Prohi-
bition man, and draw conclusions scarcely
in accord with the spirit and teaching of
the decision itself.
AS an illustration of the grave injustice
that may be SO easily done to judge by
hasty criticism, we may recall the
we'll known case of the late Chief Justice
Taney, whose defense in connection with
the celebrated Dred-Scott decision we are
glad to see has been again taken up in a
recent number of the Century Magazine
by couple of correspond
ents. Those who have given themselves
the trouble of examining that decision,
have seen at once the absurdity, not to say
gross injustice done to Mr.. Taney by rep
resenting him as laying down the doctrine
that the negro had no rights which the
white man was bound to respect. His rec
titude as a Judge and his keen realization
of the binding nature of his oath of office,
obliged him to state that which was fact
in the practical dealings of our ancestors
with the unfortunate negro, however that
teaching might humiliate him as man
and an American citizen; and, to use the
words of our mutual friend of the North
sUester, Chronicle, "we challenge contra
diction'' to the statement that both as a
man and as citizen Chief Justice fancy
always proved himself an answering and
consistent friend and benefactor of the
colored man. He did SO by releasing
all his own slaves of his own
free will; by providing for the wants. of
many of them after that liberation; and
by his general conduct toward them in
private life, and his many expressions of
sympathy with them in their neglected
condition, and defense of their rights in
his conversation with others. Whatever
of wrong there may have been in the Dred
Scott decision must be laid to the charge
of the laws of the land, and not to the &C
count of the conscientious interpreter of
those laws. Never was this country served
by more trustworthy official, or our su-
preme bench honored by a more honora-
BILE or conscientious supreme justice.
Speaking of prejudice might very east
ly lead us across the vastly deep to the
beautiful but desolate Emerald Isle, where
the wonarous power of that passion was
never perhaps more forcibiy illustrated
than by the disgraceful antics of the Or
angemen of that unhappy land, in connec-
tion with the crusade now being conduct
ed in Ulster by the leaders of the National
| league. Said leaders 60 into that province
upon what appears to us in this country a
very commonplace mission, and one of
every day occurrence here, viz: To meet
their admirers in convention assembled,
and discuss the political topics of the day,
and carry on their campaign in prepara-
tion for the approaching election. Very
good, you will say, what of that? Very
good, say We also; but very diff
ferently do the Orangemen look upon the
matter. They are shrewd enough to re-
alize that their existence depends upon
their ability to blind their dupes to the
present state of affairs in the old sod, and
keep up system of terrorism such as
would not be tolerated in this country for
moment. They therefore have recourse
to tactics we'll worthy of such cause, and
calling together the roughs and hoodlums
of the surrounding towns, they go to the
place of the league meeting that has been
announced as about to take place, and
start counter demonstration,
in some instances, on the very spot
where the nationalists were to
hold their meeting. The rioters mind
you come at times even with arms in their
hands, and always for the:express purpose
of insulting and provoking those who dare
to differ from them as to the best means
of advancing the interests of their com
m ~, oountrv tn the hitter chaprin of