The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-07-15


damaged, and we have suffered long time
to pass, while we have been waiting for them
to say convenient time has come. No man
is REQUIRED to throw aside his political pref
udices; but as there is not any thing Of inn
portance now before theparties, it isanauspi-
cious time to settle the question at the PollsY
The parties, to preserve their organization
ud,reap the spOils, may be arrayed against
each other, as if some great interest were at
stake; but it is not SO. There is nothing
of importance except to the leaders-the
masses are deriving no benefit from them
You may be certain they will not yield as
long as they can refuse. The vocabulary
of these old party hacks evidences the man
ner in which they will attempt to deal with
us. When we dare TO erase name from
the party ticket, they call it kicking out Of
the traces and then they say, they will
: whip us into the traces. This is the
language for cattle, not for men, Where !
came from they used them much as we do
oxen. Yoking them for their service when
they were needed, and then turning them
outtill next election to go to grass
Ifwelook to political affairs, we shall see
that it is long time since there was any
great question at issue between the parties
except on financial affairs. No important
issue is now at stake. And it matters but
little, from glance at their platforms,
which party shall be in power. This, as
financial question, affects the country more
than tariff, or banks, or internal improve.
ments. But they tell us it is moral ques
ton. True, but none the less political
question, for any question intimately con-
nected WITH the interests of the people is a
political one. This question is vastly more
important than any so called political one,
and we should not allow ourselves to be de-
ceiVed with their representations.
But some say we ought not to bring 1t to
the ballot box, for it interferes with the
rights of a portion Of our citizens. l deny
that such law is opposed to any mans
good, much less to the general interests Of
society. The great fundamental principles
of our government is, the greatest good to
the greatest number. The majority are not
to suffer by the minority. This is the prin-
ciple running through all our laws. The
tax Aaw has its basis here. They take as
much of our property as is needed for the
purpose Of government. The farmer yields
the right of way to railroads, to the injury
of his property, because the general good
requires it. Buildings are destroyed to arrest
the progress of fire, and no one condemns
it. We have even conscripion in time
of war, when men are levied to fight for
our country. But why refer TO examples;
there is scarcely law that does not have
this principle in some way connected with
it. 1t is found in the law of every land,
more or less recognized. But strange to
say, with some, this is good sense and
strong logic until you come to apply it to
liquor selling. 1t has peculiar rights in
opposition, and every thing must yield TO it
Yet this does greater injury than all these
combined, We have the right to rise up
and say, this liquor traffic shall be destroy
ed. 1t is destroying your wives and child.
ren, all your political, and social, and reli.
gious interests, and it does all this without
being Of positive benefit to any one, for the
illIgOttep gains of the liquor dealer shall
not give him peace. na
Some again say that the measure is not a
Democratic one, and inconsistent to the
scheme of our government. If the princi-
pie, the greatest good to the greatest nun.
ber' is the great Democratic principle, and
who can dispute it, then it is a measure
highly Democratic. The Maine Law was
passed in my State by Democratic Legis-
lature; and all the States which have adopt
ed it, except Vermont, are Democratic. The
leaders of the Democratic party, at the last
State election in the State of Maine. at.