The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-10-20
SAD IGNORANCE.

The Terrible Onslaught of the Rum Pow
err Against the People. and the Fatal
Indifference to the Havoc shown by the
Masses.
The terrible onslaught that is now
waged by the belligerent forces of the
rum power against the people has no
parallel in history for viciousness and
fearful carnage.
The devastation of numerous happy
homes, an immense waste and destruc-
ton of property, the suffering OF limo.
cent children, crime, Indebtedness,
pauperism and the vicious tendencies
that pervade large proportion of the
community are among the terrible con-
sequences of this awful warfare now
being waged by this inscriptions and
relentless foe. The conflict is an ire.
pressible, unmitigated antagonism Of
many, many thousands who are the
very demons of selfishness, or incarnat-
cd devils impelled with all the venom
and frenzy of mercenary and de-
bauched human nature and opposed
by the patriotic, conscientious masses
of the people possessing generous sus-
capabilities and q noble manhood,
quietly aspiring after moral and
Christian civilization.
The rump over with their numerous
sympathizers are combined in a solid.
unbrokep compact, and are strongly
fortified with both money and influence.
They have secured as allies the force
of political power, have large vested
interests, and are strongly barricaded
and protected behind the social habits
and perverted appetites Of their victims
The majority of the people, men,
women and children, are on the other
side; most of them seem too timid or
too much occupied with their own per-
sonal affairs to know or care what will
be the final outcome OF this terrible
conflict. This apathetic carelessness
of the people has given the rum power
many and special advantages, and also
given them favorable opportunities to
fortify and intrcnch their position.
They have also succeeded in deluding
the people with the conviction that
they have the most innocent intentions
in planting their batteries in every
available point and on the most eligible
positions, so that they can sweep the
whole field, and reach every man,
woman and child.
Their numerous Notifications are al
so barricaded with legal and govern
mental sanction, and these still further
securely protected by political earth
works and intrenchmenis of perverted
appetites.
Some of these Notifications and bat
teries have the destinations of beauti-
| full surroundings to attract the taste
and fancics of the rich and heightened
among people, especially the young,
and in some cases combining grandeur
and all the gorgeousness of color, gild-
ing and draperies. These Notifications
are often covered with banners and
gold mountings. and are sometimes
made to appear like fairy grounds,
strains of the most exquisite melody
and the display of elegant mirrors,
stained glass and other rich adorn-
ments all arranged and designed to
make the impression that no harm can
come from their belligerent and danger
Gus attitude.
For an opposite class of the people
the batteries are of the meanest and
lowest character, and are made attract
i've by an occasional hilarious song and
dance, snowy placards and pictures
all arranged to mislcad and deceive
the unwary. To cover up their dead
ly object their guns are masked and
supplied with euphonious names, and
even their shot is so poisoned that
when it strikes it produces delirious
and pleasurable frenzy, and while they
do not kill their victims outright, they
are often reduced to an inanimate
stupor and left to drag out misera.
BILE existence of disease and suffering
besides impoverishing their families and
filing their surroundings with the mos
vicious tendencies.
Every hour in the day and long into
the night these batteries of the run
power are opened on the people with
fearful havoc, but their most effective
work is done at night, when they fine
large proportion of the victims o
their diabolical work are massed il
such positions that they can NOW then
down with the least opposition and thu
most deadly effect.
The moral portion of the people, es
pecially those belonging to the Chris
tan church, are to some extent awar'
of the character and designs Of thes'
batteries, and the terrible devastation
and death struggle that is going OF
among the people, and OCCASIONAL,
rally in opposition, but their chief eli
fort seems to be confined to mil,