The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-07-15

While engaged in the trial of a will
ease, in Common Pleas Court at Hills
Doro, O., ex-Lieut. Gov. Hart was
down by another attorney,
named Sloan. Mr.. Hart sprang to his
feet and attempted to strike Sloan with
q chair, but was prevented by other
attorneys. Sloan was fined 800 and
the trial proceeded. We believe it has
been said that when a certain kind of
men fall out" honest men get their |
dues. However, we never thought |
Alphonso was a bad man, except in |
politics.
The subject of prohibition is being |
earnestly discussed by our citizens.
Its submission to the electors of our
city on the Goth has awakened its
advocates to renewed exertion, who,
with those opposing it, are marshaling
their strength to test the sentiment of
our citizens. AS to the efficacy of pro-
hibitiOn rather than stringent license
there may be a diversity of opinion,
which can be best harmOniZed by
test of its enactment. Its advocates
claim non-partisanship, principle, not
party expedieney, its actuating force.
Our churches are moving in this
matter; accordingly, their regular
monthly union service, which was
held at the M. E. Church Sunday eve
ening, was given to it's consideration.
Rev. Scott was the first speaker. He
had but two thoughts to present-the
disreputability and robbery of the
traffic. Disreputable by reason of its
influence for evil; degradation, mis-
cry and crime were its legitimate off
spring. The homes of want were its
accusers of robbers; gnawing hunger,
ragged hsbiliments, and hearts of an
guish and sorrow, where might have
been plenty, happiness and joy, We're
convincing testimony of its robbery.
Mr.. Scott appealed earnestly for the
prohibitory safeguard, in which only
can our homes find protection.
Mrs. Woodbridge, was the next to
speak in behalf of woman, who, above
all others, was crushed by this traffic.
She made powerful and touch
ing appeal in behalf of her sisters up
on whom this blighting and whitening
curse is resting. Powerless as to the
use of the ballot, they can only look
for deliverance through its instrumen-
tality in the hands of those whose
privilege and mission it is to thus
place their seal of condemnation upon
this traffic, which robs woman of all
that is sacred to her happiness-home,
family and friends-burdens her life
with sorrow, degradation, misery and
shame. None escape the rich as well
as the poor, the high and low, are its
victims. Innocence and virtue are at
its mercy. Mrs. Woodbridge always
commands the interested attention of
her hearers, whether in sympathy
with her views or not and in listen.
ing to her pathetic appeals and logical
reasoning, your reporter interrogated
in his mind, whether st. Paul would
have made some exceptions as to the
propriety of woman's speaking in
public, had it been his privilege to
listen to one equally as gifted as this
earnest and convincing speaker, whose
words find no less weight and carry
no less conviction by reason of their
falling from the lips of woman.
Rev. Stone was the next to speak in
behalf of our men and boys. He would
remove temptation. To those strug.
Cling with appetite, striving to stand
and assert their manhood, weak and
powerless by stress of long continued
indulgence, he would close the open
door of the saloon, that their halting
and unwilling feet might not enter.
He believed in and commended the
power and influence of moral suasion;
it had accomplished grand results, but
the effectual remedy demanded the
He would have charity for all-the
one who sells, as well as the victim of
strong drink-a most commendable
virtue, which is too seldom manifested
in our haste to condemn. Mr.. Stone
summed up his remarks by saying
that argument, reason and justice were
all arrayed on the side of prohibition.
Mr.. Stones treatment of the problem
was in marked contrast with those
who substitute vehement denuncia-
ton for dispassionate reason and ar
gument.
Rev. Mr.. Slutz made the closing adj
dress. The vender of intox ican is was
as the parasite, fastening itself upon
honest, productive labor. drawing its
sustenance and life from the vitality
of that upon which it fastened itself
For those engaged in the nefarious
business. charity was akin to morbid
sentimentality, though depriviDg them
of the right by sufferance to sell should
cut off their means of support. 1t
would be a sort of grim, retributive
Justice, in placing them in the anala'
gous condition to which their traffic
had brought thousands whose homes
they had made desolate, and in which
they had brought famishing want
where once was plenty. He earnestly
| appealed to the voters of our city to
Danish the saloon from its corporate
limits, and to allow Ravenna to be no
exception to those places which had
taken action upon this question by
means of the ballot, in all of which
prohibition has carried the day.
BOWLING GREEN, Wood county has
decided by vste of 226 to 195 to pro-
hibit saloons in that town.