The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-05
Tle gtnusha Tele0raph.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5.
The Chicago Irish Republic" on Temper
anoe.


The next question that is going to Hsitate
the American mind is Temperance. ALREADY
it is assuming national proportions, ara men
are beginning to feel that it must be net and
treated as one of the great questions that
change the destiny of nations, and eitaer re-
tard them on their march of progress, or push
them centuries ahead by one mighty -evolu-
ton Of the wheel. The Temperance societies
throughout the land have hoisted their white
banner, and the believers in ''happy homes
and whole hearts" are ranging under its snowy
folds. On the other hand, the "liquor men"
have hoisted their banner. We do not know
what color it is, whether black or red. But
they are rallyins their strength to meet the on
set of their enemies.
The Temperance men have declared war to
the knife against all producers, consumers,
or abetors of whisky. They will neither toll
crate, recognize, nor support any man or par
ty who will not declare for prohibition. The
liquor party meets them more than half way,
to scowl defiance on their "fanaticism," and
establish platform on which no man can
stand unless he holds glass of beer in one
hand, glass Divine in the other and glass
of whisky between his teeth.
At present the parties are ranged in battle
array There has been no blood spilled as yet:
but the first shot fired, like that on Fort Sump-
ter, sets the nation in blaze.
While we take our stand on the side of the
Temperance platform, and by so doing, array
against us terrible opposition, we would pre-
fer that the temperance party would not push
things to extremes. By bringing on battle
too soon, there have been great victories los
before now. By forcing prohibition on the
country at present, large number of the best
and most loyal men in the land will be driven
into the ranks of the opposition.
That we are interested in Temperance as the
most advanced in the cause, cannot be doubt.
ed, when we believe that the great cause Of
our coutry's degradation, and of peoples mis-
cry, is, and has been, drunkenness. AS we arc
to return to this question again and again, we
will sacrifice more than any other newspaper
in America, by taking up the question; but
we have mission to perform, and personal
considerations must not be taken into account.
We believe that before our native country can
be liberated we must eradicate this great evil
of intemperance from our midst. We believe
however, that it is the duty of all temperance
societies-hundreds of which societies, we are
happy to say are composed ofIrishmen-to or
ganize and use the moral power ofreason and
argument. People in general hate to be driv-
en- into any movement. And immediate pro-
hibition will even drive those miserable things
who would be most benefited by it into the
ranks of the enemy.
That all questions can be handled and regu
lated by majority of the citizens of the Uni
ted States leaves the matter open for test
and when fairly tested the minority must
abide the result. This is another reason why
the Temperance men should organize, and rea
son for some time to come, and in no event
force this question when the stability of the
nation might be shaken by its ill-timed thrust.
ing forward.
Our greatest desire is, not alone for the Clio.
ry Of America but for the benefit ofall suffer.
ing nations, that the party bearing the ban
ners on which is inscribed IMMERSED Liberia
should be seen ruling for all time to come
We want men who believe in universal liberty
on principle, not for an accommodation, or to
suit party purposes. We want men who will
not stand guard over the thrones of Europe tc
save the tyrants from the outraged people. We
want men who, when we are struggling to es
tablish Republic in Ireland, will not take
sides with monarchy, as the present thing
who naiSrule the country have done.
In any case, we are for temperance but WI
would beg Of the leaders of the movement no
TO risk the chances of handing the countr,
over to the wreckers, who are watching 70
the breaking up of the ship that has borne TIN
flag of the nation safely through the blood,
sea ofthe late rebellion, by forcing part o
the crew overheard, at a time when the ele
ments look so threatening.