The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-03-12
FIGHT LIKE TIGERS.
BY GEORGE u. SCOTT.

An old soldier once told me that the
battle he ever witnessed
was between two Bengal tigers in q
menagerIe.
The final struggle to suppress the sale
and manufacture of intoxicants will beat
that menagerie fight, and leave it in the
shade.
Both parties are warming up for the
struggle. All the efforts that the tenn
perance people as yet made are but the
preliminary training for the Waterloo
that is to crush the army that rallies
around the flag on which is inscribed
"LegalIzed Protection for the Saloons"
For years (tiguratlvely speaking) men
have been throwing moss at the traffic,
now they throw stones; soon only boul-
ders will be heavy enough. The saloon
element grows more wicked every day;
the liquids dispensed contain more
diluted damnation" than ever. On
the other hand, the advocates of tenn
perance fight with keener weapons, and
show more determination in their eyes.
The saloons cry out: "By Judge Brew
er we will save our property" The
host Of Prohibition declare 'The saloon
must go; 10 matter what the cost in
money or in labor and anxiety"
w
ply that the decisive hour is near, and
that the long impending struggle is
about to be witnessed. You hear the
notes of warming in the political eau
cuses as well as among church circles.
Along country roads the boys are whist.
ling only "One More River to Cross"
or (which Way is Your Muskit Pint
in To-day" There is fight in the air,
and the brave and royal snuff in the
bracing atmosphere with feeling Of
relief.
No arbitration will be permitted to
settle the question. An unconditional
surrender is the only thing that can end
the war, as Lincoln said to the Southern
envoys. Strong and desperate men
have declared for "God and Home and
Native Land" and they are being urged
on with all the vigor that women (who
have been made furious by the loss of
their own or their neighbors' boys) can
incite.
The political horizon is clouded with
an Egyptian darkness, and from it
comes, every election day, claps of thun-
der that make political time-servers
quake and tremble. Reduced MAORI
ties flash across the pathways of politi-
cal leaders like forked-hghtning in a
prairie thunderstorm. A grove Of high
license trees can't shelter them from its
livid light.
Around the ballot-box the members
of the liquor fraternity rally, and the
order is gwen by the Prohibition lead
ers to move the ranks nearer and near
er TO the polls. They would rather fight
it out through the Church or the Sab
bath-sohools; hnt that is not possible,
and they are willing TO beard the lion
in his dem" Hurrah for fight; it is
not half such hard work as years of
forced marching and counter marching
over the roads Of persuasion and coax
ing.
The tiger fight alluded to was soon
ended. Fur flew around lively for a
while; but it was tos hot to last long.
The present strife is too lively to con-
tinue many years. The liquor organiza-
tons are getting tired OF being bled to
supply the slnews Cf war.
The late battle 81 Atlanta has given
birth 10 new hopes among the friends OF
reform, and has inspired the faint-heart-
cd to renewed vigor.
In order to give both parties chance
to fight, the political fences should be all
taken down; they are nuisance. Nom
combatants are not wanted.
some Oh the DraVeSI warriors are WO-
men. A righteous indignation has taken
possession of them. For one, l used to
fight with gloves stuffed with cotton; but
when 90 abroad nowadays, l leave
those harmless appendages at home.
Strike straight from the shoulder" is
the watchword. Every time you have q
chance at the polls to strike, do it for
the love you bear the common brother
hood.
Fight like tigers and you will win; and
when the last battle has been fought,
take care of the wounded, and ask God
to bless your vanquished enemies.
Pray and vote! That means faith and
works.