The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-07-29

Clermont County.

ton, but there is not a thousandth part
Of the interest on the subject that its
importance demands. There are hun
dreds that say they will not vote for any
candidate for the Legislature who is
not publicly pledged to a prohibitory
law similar to the Maine Law.
But to say that they will vote for
those so pledged, of the opposite par
ty, is quite another thing. Yet we
are getting some of the prominent and
best men of both parties in each
neighborhood where it has been pre-
sented, to sign the following pledge:
eve, whose names are hereunto
annexed, pledge our most sacred hon
or, that we will vote for no man, for
either branch of the Legislature, of
any party, who is not publicly pledged
touse his influence and vote for law
similar to the Maine Liquor Law: and
in whose private character we have a
sufficient guarantee that he will faith
fully. keep his pledge. And we here
by pledge ourselves to vote for those
so pledged, regardless Of party poll
tics"
am well convinced that if we fail
it will be the result of party drill, not
that a majority of the people are not
with us in their honest convictions
But they are afraid of their party; it
is truth, sir, that a very large num-
Der are afraid to act till they know
how the party is going. They boast
Of being freeman, but dare not stir
for fear of offending some of their
masters that want their service, to get
them into Office. Free? 0, yes; free
to do just what sett of liquor-loving
candidates tell them they may do,
but no more! To act freeman is a
grievous political sin; yea it is high
treason!- awful iniquity! Should they
take the liberty of thinking for them
selves, and vote for sober menof the
opposite party, whom they have
known for years to be honest and up
right, they would commit a mortal sin
in the eyes of these gentlemen. The
doctrine is, you ought to vote for
drunken, dishonest, wire-worker, be-
fore the most honorable and virtuous
of the opposite party; who would rep
resent them ON a question, by the side
Of which, party politics is nothing; to
act thus would be mortal disgrace!
What are the lives Of the thousands
of drunkards that die annually, or the
groans and tears of their wives and
children, compared with the defeat Of
oar partys This is only one principle,
and we have seven prominent prisci-
piles, FIVE loaves and two small fishes.
The loss of lives and souls are moth
ing, compared to the loss Of the spoils
to the triumphant party. Some Of
these men profess to be Christians,
but where is their love for God or hu-
manity, when they will allow party
to sway them where nothing but dol
lars and cents are or can be at stake;
when they have to confess that in this
question the happiness of thousands
in time and eternity, is staked? We
need enlightenment-all sorts of en-
lightenment-on this subject. 1t is
the work Of interested demagogues to
make every man of their party be-
lieve that every man that does not
belong to it, is dishonest and can not
be trusted. I presume the reason is,
they know that there are no greater
rascals running at large than they,
and they Judge others by themselves.
We are ready, as temperance men, to
support the regular Democratic nomi-
nees if they will give us the right kind
Of men, pledged: if not, we will de-
feat them. if possible, and send some
body else. We have nearly hum