Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-04-03

Edited BY The Rsss Department Of he Ohio
Women's Christian Tempe, ance
Union, and Local Unions.
"MAsTERLy uNAcTlvITY.,'
From the Amendment Henld)

| m mASb EhLH uNACVbVbGt.' -
From the Amendment Hcrald)
Never in tile history Of the Temperance
reformation, have 40 many OF the States
taken advance steps as during the present
winter. East, west, north aud south, the
question what shall we do with the liquor
traffic has rgliaird the various State legir-
lstuies as no other, resulting in the pas
sage OF Educational Bills In rix Of the
States, requiring that children in the pub
lie schools I've laugh, the ,ffrct of nlcuhol
and narcotics upon the human system,
while similar bills are pending IN several
other States, with fnir prospect Of u sue.
cessful issue before fna, adjournment.
Several Legislatures have wrestled over
the submission Of ptohibilory amend
ment, Michigan, New jersey, and Weal
Virginia almost attaining success, while
Oregon was signRlly triumphant, and 9th
er States yet to render n verdict before
final adjournment.
Kansas has 40 amended her prohinitory
law as to make II iron.clad and water
proof, so thn, her lo,O- defyins cities have
become law abiding. under the conviction
that "prolinit,on will prohibit"
Iowa, which seemed powerless in the
hands of the liquor traffic so far as most OF
her cities were concerned, because 40 many
OF the officers Of the law were in league with
the pio'ators Of law, hns spoken unequivo
cmlly through her Supreme Court decision
and now the saloon must go wherever com.
plant is made that IL is public nuisance.
Aud 80 Iowa becomes an example to other
States endeavoring TO secure prohibition,
rather than "hissing and a by-word."
As we look round about, we are encour-
aged by the evidence Of progress on every
hand, while our cheeks burn with shame
as we think OF Ohio, our own beloved
State, having done nothing to check the
increasing tide of evil flowing from the
rum traffic Behold the piiable spectacle
that greets the eyes Of other States as they
turn toward Ohio to see where ahe who has
led the van nnow standing, and how reada
hei banner. Instead Of moving against a
relentless enemy. her watch.word forward
every man to his guns in defense Of home ana
country, they see Ohio, the mother OF Presi.
dents and reforms, standing in the very
rear OF advancing temperance columns In
the attitude Of spoiled aud pou,ing child
and upon her banner only these words liz
explanation Of her do-ne,ling policy, awe
have determined upon course Of mastery
inactivity"
And why ia there dead lock in OH
Legislature on this allimPortant question
Has there been any abatement of the evil,
resulting from free traffic in whisky?
Is il going to be any easier 10 cope will
the evil by and by when il has had oppor-
lunily to entrench itself wherever il
chooses without let or hindrance ? Is moi
the daily record Of CRIME due to the drink
traffic sufficiently blood curdling TO nerve
: the conscience Of our Legislators? ASid,
= from the poverty and wretchedness, thu
a homes made desolate, the happiness o
families wrecked, the hearts broken, pros
pecls ruined, souls destroyed, by this mon
+. ster evil, have not the people right to b'
heard when they ask for Il chance to hell
deelde this vital question? What viii
. they say in seU-iefense, if they refuse tt
listen to 125, 900 petitions asking that :
, prolibitory amendment be submitted to .
vote of the people. in October, 1885? vii
n there be sufficient excuse for 'nasterly in
I activity" IN the estimation OF Eober
!. thoughtful citizens and lovers of goot
> government in the apparent attempt o
both parties to hold the beer vote, or viii
tl,;s nj Ita l, M
!. primaries, and press their convictions 3,
pointedly at the ballot box in the coinini
! elestions, that future legislatures shal
know beyond question that the good Of til
people is of greater moment than the per
t peluity Of the party?
q Be assured there 10 one class OF peoPl
n who will not pursue policy Of "mnsterl
inactivity" and that is the saloon keeper,
They are chuckling with delight over til
e present situation, which insures them un
e disturbed occupancy of the entire field @
n politics, sincs they hold the balance Q
e power. Activity is a vital element not oil
e ly in success, but IN continued existence
s The organization that ceases vctivity sign
Is its dealt, kneil.
e The germ Of life il hidden in ono or tw
Is OF its members may prolong its existenc
If for time, but "masterly inactivity" ia
: dead weight, an incubus that will drag nm
1t church, society or party into prematur
e, grave. Let our Unions arouse and rim
:. the bells of alarm because of the encroacll
= ,nenis of the rum power which is slayln
its Thousands on every hand; let all ii
people cry danger ahead let the clurche
speak with trumpet tones agaDat this hisl
i. handed lniqnity which seeks to grnsp M
} only local and State governments. but I'll
II Naiional government also. and so unite Il
e moral force of the church, OF the comm,
nifty of the commonwealth and Of ille cou
try, to crush most ihvidious and rslen
l.so foo