Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-31

swearing Tin pious way) never to con-
sent, he consented oil the same And
Hoadly is no better than Leonard.
DIR. DANIEL CURRY ON PROHIBITION.
The recognized Nestor of the Methodist
press in this country is Dr. Daniel Curry,
d D.. editor of the Methodist Review. He
is without doubt one OF the ablest writer's
of the day, and stands deservedlY in the
front rank of American scholars and theo-
logians. DIR. Curry contributes an article
on Prohibition to the August number of
the Homiletic Monthly, New York, from
which we quote in order that our readers
may see the diHersnce between the utter
ances Of really great man on this sub
ect and the frothy rhodomontade OF shal-
low thinkers Of which we hear so much.
Speaking of the liquor traffic, the Doctor
says:
The legal status of that traffic is limited
| liberation, which necessarily implies the sb-
sence OF natural freedom, and also the righ, OF
the Government to deal with the whole sub
| ject; and to limit it less or more, or to
wholly dissllow it. 1t should, therefore, be
| recognized that every "license law" is a par
tial prohibition, and the greater the restric-
| tions and burdens laid upon the trade and de-
fined in the limitations Of the license, the
nearer is the approach to the desired consum-
| ha pf an
law, without total prohibition, would leave
that business entirely tree. II those who op-
pose prohibition concede the right OF
the Government to regulate and re-
strain the traffic, they practically sur
render all claim to rights in the business be-
| yond the discretion OF the rulers it's greater
or less liberation is q question of expediency,
| Of which only the 'powers that be- are solely
| and finally to judge. And they who de-
| nounce all license laws az essentially vicious
should bear in mind that, until total prohibi-
ton shall be procured, they are all that sland
| In the way Of free trade in rum and whisky.
They are, in fact prohbitory laws, as far AS
they 60; they grant no liherties-for liberty
is the normal state of trade; nor do they
grant protection, for every calling not direct
| ly restrained by law has the natural right OF
undisturbed action. The price paid tor the
| license is a part OF the restrictions and bur-
deni laid upon the trade, and Its use for the
public benefit is certainly no more objection
able than to use in the same way the fines
and the proceeds of the pecuniary penalties
| inflicted by the courts for trespassss and other
minor ottenses.
Further on 10 the same article the Doc.
tor shows that the cause of Prohibition
has been wounded in the house of its
friends, and hampered and hindered by
unwise leadership. We give his own Ian,
guage on this subject, for in no commun,
ity ohis remarks on this point find more
striking illustration than in our own.
Some changes for the better are needed in
the conduct and leadership of the cause be-
tore the public. II is always an migrate 'ul
task to critcise the acts OF II Ose who are Ia
boring towards a necessary work while others
stand by idle; but such are the inielicities and
undesirable conditions OF the temyersncs
cause before the public, that something mus,
be done 10 remedy the evil. II need not be
called IN question that there are some able
earnest and honest workers In the cause
among the professional and generally recog.
nized leaders, but it is equally certain tina,
there are enough among them Of . different
kind, who do not command the public conf
dence, and under whose leadership not much
good can be accomplished. For lack OF the
needed organization aud the requisite over
sight Of the work OF tenn
perance propsgsndism, there is . constant H.
ability that it may be made to suffer from the
presence and super-%rviceableness OF a whole
swarm OF hsngers-On--sOme Of them simply
cranks seeking notoriety, snd'soms chsrletons
and mountebanks, with their own selfish and
often disreputable purposes to serve. No
doubt that tact has tended more than II should
have done TO deter those who must lead IN
this work, il it shall succeed from engaging
in it. II may be both . delicate and diff
cult work TO weed out these tares, as here
suggested; but it IS indispensable to the sue
dess uf the cause. The interests OF both per-
sonal temperancs--that 10, total abstinence.
and of prohibition-'equire very considera-
BILE notifications OF the methods chiefly 10
use, and especially Of the recognized leader
ship of the whole movement. This some
body must attend ", " success 10 to be
| achieved