Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-02-15
MRS. NATION AND THE BARR0OMs.

ties, ETC., by the now celebrated Mrs.
Nation in Kansas, has produced two
very opposite effects on the public
mind. There are those who believe
that bar fixtures in prohibition coun-
try is a species of property without
right and may be broken, carried away,
burned, or otherwise destroyed, with
out the slightest account being taken
of it, or right to call the destroyer to
account. There are alec those who
believe that every offender, or law
breaker, has some rights, and that his
property can be protected from mob
violence by law no matter how unlaw-
fully employed that property may
have been. To hold with the first
class, the Mrs. Nation class, is the
most dangerous belief that ever took
hold upon the human mind. If such
theory were carried to its logical Sc
quence then anybody, man, woman or
child would become, judge, jury and
executioner No sooner would some
self righteous person behold what he
or she decided to be unlawful than he
would proceed to sit in judgment, rem
der verdict, and pronounce and exc
cute sentence. Such courts would not
confine themselves to bar rooms OF
Joints, as they are called IN Kansas,
but would extend directly to other I'M
lawful acts, and to the places where
they were carried on.
A murderer has broken the law as
much as joint keeper. He has for
feited his life by taking life not his.
Can it be said he has no rights, and
that Mrs. Nation and her followers can
hang or burn him, and can they apprO-
pirate or destroy the Winchester rifle
with which he slew his victim? A
thief has stolen property, or robbed
and burned dwelling. Can it be said
that he has no rights, and that Mrs.
Nation and her followers can take hold
of him and mete out such punishment
rs to them may seem fit?
Wherein is the difference? One who
sells ardent spirits does SO without
license, and is subject to certain pen
atty for so doing under Kansas law
One may sell dry goods there without
a license, and would also be a Law
breaker. Is Mrs. Nation to smash hi
place because he has no license? Sh,
can burn as we'll as break it up, ant
have just as much law on her side.
is true very few people feel any regre
over the Nation warfare against joints
but her acts are the breeders of mo-
violence, and unless eurbed will spreat
that dangerous sentiment or desir
like fire is spread bya wind. 1t ma.
be this which caused the recent burn
ing of negro in Kansas, the idea beins
that as he had violated the law he hat
no rights. But every man, no matte
what his crime, has the right of tria
by jury in the United States. The prop
erty of every man, no matter what tn,
species, is his, until deprived Of 1t b.
the laws OF the land. 1t is no more tn,
right Of Mrs. Nation to destroy mir
ror which reflects the image of mai
taking drink, than one which reflect
the image of a lady in her own parlo
arranging her couture. She cal
burn the building in which she decides
liquor is stored, as she can the home
of the gentleman in Kansas who has
his wine cellar filled with liquors. Boil
Mrs. Nation S eyes, of the highest law
and both are punishable under hel
code with destruction, and we add, as
means, by fire.
There can be no question but what
the misguided efforts of this cratic,
If not insane woman, will do more to
hurt the cause of temperance in Kan
sas than anything that could have oc.
Cured. We use temperance advisedly.
We delight in temperance. We have
but little faith in prohibition. AS con-
Quoted in Kansas, and we presume it
is as well conducted there as anywhere,
ii is a byword and a mockery, a stencil
in the nostrlls of the people who like
order, because it has laid its blighting
finger on every official from the COVER
nor down, and has lowered the morals
of the public beyond adequate concep-
ton. But its fruit is beginning Just
now to be borne. Mob law is the out
come, and mob law begun and permit
ed under one pretence will seize the
minds OF other misguided people who
imagine they CAN cure evils 10y an
assertion of their noble ideas. and thus
things VIII 60 from bad to worse until
the flame will be beyond control. We
expect every day to hear that some
one has done Mrs. Nation personal
hurt, and then as in all such cases the
blood of the martyr will e the seed of
the church, and others who wish to
offer themselves up, will come thick
and fast. No one can predict the end
under such baleful conditions. Kan
sas officers can right things by putting
stop to Mrs. Nations bid for fame.
and tcke the matter in hand strongly.
legally and thoroughly The police
know every offender, and it is only
through the law that any good can be
accomplished, all else is anarchy.
Manganese and Iron Co.
Judge Letcher has granted charter