Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-08-26

uclcu d DOy. OeVeFdl innocent peO-
pie killed or injured, the decency
Of the city outraged, the laws of
state and nation violated, and
Springfield under martial law.
That is the story of the latest race
war, for which liquor was directly
Eugene W. Chain, Prohibition
candidate for president, was hold
ing a street meeting when the mob
was at it's most blood thirsty stage.
negro, who had been
kicked and pounded by the infuri-
ated and unreasoning men, dashed
around a corner, holly pursued by
them, and leaped upon the speak
er's platform. Instantly Chain
grasped the situation, and placing
his hand on his hip pocket, stepped
toward the bowling, murderous
mob and threatened to shoot the
first man who made move toward
the negro. The bluff worked, and
the negro escaped. Bricks, stones,
cans and other missiles began to fly,
Mr.. Chain was threatened, and
finally he was staggered by a blow
on the head from a brickbat.
The Minneapolis Tribune, edi-
torially commenting upon the Incl
dent, says: ''They who think the
prohibition vote a negligible guam
tity would better look out for Cha
fin. No candidate for president
can match the splendid ADVERTISE
ment Of that heroic stand before a
murderous mob. Mr.. Roosevelt
would have given his ears for it
when he was running for Office.
The whole country will ring with
it,
Perhaps both Sides'' will tell
US why every saloon in Springfield
has been closed since the race riot.
The Minneapolis Journal, waxing
quite eloquent, in an ilnpassioned
editorial says: "Almost within
the sight of the house where Abra-
ham Lincoln lived, an unreasoning
mob, baked Of it's purpose to lynch
a criminal negro, turned it's fury
upon innocent and unoffending
black men and hunted them like
dogs. No one of the individuals
who made up the riot monster could
or would strive to justify himself
for the deeds that were done, but
all of them, towards that they are,
will slave their consciences by the
weak device Of divided RESPONSE
bility.'
The Journal will probably recall
that few months ago, under the
very shadow of Lincoln's monu-
ment, the republican party met in
state convention and deliberately,
willfully, knowingly adopted a
personal liberty" plank demanded
and written by the liquor interests.
That race riot in Springfield would
have been impossible without liq-
uor as would a fire without oxygen.
The city authorities recognized this
by closing the saloons at the earli-
est possible moment. Paraphras-
ing the Journal: ''No one of the
individuals who made up the repub-
)ican convention could or would
strive to justify himself for the
deeds caused by .. the liquor which
he voted to protect, but all of them
(who voted for it and who shall vote
for it on November 3d. will salve
their consciences by the weak de-
vice of divided responsibility"
The Journal is no amateur salve-
spreader itself.
The solution of the liquor problem
advocated by the Prohibitionists is
being considered by thoughtful peo-
pie everywhere. by large proper
tino of them favorably. New York
Times.
x* +
The very fact that the Anti Saloon
League exists is proof that the old
political parties are neglecting their
business. "A. S. Watkins, Prohipi-
tion candidate for vice president.