The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-31


own conclusions as evidenced already by
three elections in this State. new
emphasis will be.given OF their opinion
of Democracy tomorrow. And the Re
publican tidal wave that Will then be
set going will continue to roll up until
November, between which time and now
we doubt not there will continue to be
plenty OF facts for argument to stir up
the voters already SO deeply stirred.
THE APPEAL FOR "NO-LIcENsE."
TO those who keep up with the con-
temporaneous events that ere making his
tory we think the page OF argument
from the pulpits of the city churches In
favor of "no-license" that THE NEWS
presented yesterday must have been ex-
ceedingly interesting reading.
We note that In the campaigning the list
OF clergynien arrayed against the high IL
cense system of dealing with the liquor
traffic, as In operation in Providence is con-
splcuous as much by the absence OF names
of many OF our prominent prcceptors OF the
pulpit as it is for those who are on 1t.
We note also that even in pulpits of the
same denomination some of the clergy are
silent, while others are outspoken against
the license system. Moreover, some de-
nominations are not represented at all In
the anti-license symposium. All this
seems to indicate that the clergy are not
united, that no denomination or creed
stands solidly for the same thing when
the liquor business is an issue and, II we
read the list Alright, the names of most
OF the ministers who are leading the cam
paign have been associated with the po-
litical prohibition party. We note these
features in passing.
In the last days of the brohibitory law
number of ministers of various denomi-
nations did not hesitate to favor openly
high license, but in this campaign we
find no minister speaking against the
"no-Iicense" movement. We take it
| they didn't feel called upon TO speak
| against their fellow clergymen as defend
ers OF an existing law that is assaiIed on
| grounds that leave small room for pulpit
| argument on the other side without pre-
| cipitating bitter and what would to
many contented congregations appear to
be an unseemly discussion. And 1t does
not seem to us that those clergymen who
assaiIed their non-combatant brethren for
keeping the peace have entire justifica-
| tion therefor.
or especial interest in these farewell
words from the pulpit in favor OF a prohi-
bitory law for the city OF Providence we
extract few sentiments. Rev. WALLACE
NUTTING OF the Union Congregational
Church whose observation in this town
is to the effect that public sentiment is
so far from being ready for a prohibitory
law that it does not yet give the authorl-
ties enough moral support to fully en-
force the stringent high license regula-
tions, and he urges continued missionary
work that this public sentiment may
some day become educated to regard any
recognition Of the liquor trade as inimical
to the interests of community. Along
this line the work of any reform is clear
ly indicated, to train public sentiment.
Public sentiment may climb the steps
only slowly, and the honest reformer
may be pardonably impatient at the
seemingly inconsiderable result OF his toll
as recorded from day to day. But honest
effort should not be relaxed, and, at all
events, there is ample testimony in the
fact and figures Of reform movements to
demonstrate that however long delayed
may be the triumph of a reform so pro-
thO huPPJ 10 uNtu-
ally reached more quickly and the result
is moro surely permanent when the pro-
cess is pursued step by step than when
public sentiment is taken unawares from
behind and made to walk Spanish to
the glorious heights Public sentiment
may frequently be wrong but 1t cannot
be compelled to the right where its rea-
son and intelligence have not been brought
into accord with its peri ormance. Some
times the cost OF such education is enor-
nous. II cost treasure and blood to con-
vince public sentiment that slavery was
an intolerable crime and bitter experience
has been necessary to the advance of tenn
rerance in the past fifty years. But there
is no help for 1t even though 1t may be
m ,Nf,y that tho rio htooua aro caro,&alIo1 a..