The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-10-10
The Temperance Question.

1t must be gratifying TO every we'll
disposed citizen to fnd that the temper.
ance question is again being agitated in
social and family circles, and the asso.
eiations which exist for .the suppression
of the vice Of intemperanse are in a
most flourishing conditien. It isstoo ear-
u to predict that . general reformation
is about TO take place, such as happened
many years ago under the Washingtos-
ian movement but that there is great
necessity for reform in this particular, no
one canedeny. The excitement attend
ant upon the recent rebellion Ael many
into violent excuses in the use of strong
drinks. and the result is that habits have
been contracted whisA sfeTnses onlv sru-
inous to individuhio. but sdangsross to
society. theee scircumStsnces
every .vfn 80 sliah lleas-
ure til nration Of fmorssnent
which, - reform some Of ~ evils
whichz15rne from Che excessive use of
strong dinks.
But t6nperance roformers, Ike all
others, are liable to commit serrers. In
many quarters we perceive that thefe is
. disposition to abandon the old and
effective agency OF moral snasion, and
to seek the interposition Of the laE.-
They would force men who are free to
become sober . hy ssatnte,' and an agi-
tation is now going on in temperance
circles on this question. We had
thought that the utter failure of the
Maine-law movement to reform drunk.
ards by civil enactment wonld have
taught the friends of temperance that
the only manner in which temperance
principles can be successfully propaga-
ted is by persistent and unwearying ef-
forts by individuals and associations de-
voted to the cause. It is very desirable
that all men and women should be pions;
but it is . well known fact in history
that In those countries where the laws
on the subject of religion we're the most
arbitrary the people were the most i'm
pious, profane and degraded. The hu-
man race naturally revolts at being
forced to do by law what ought to be
done voluntarily: hence it. is that ail at
tempts to force religious or moral prin-
ciples down peoples throats by civil
law have totally failed; hence it was
that tho Maine law was failure, and
that the w Washingtonian movement was
q great success. SIS s7s .SsAs9 54s
In some quarters we notice d deter
mination on the part of theaweli mean
ing men to incorporate the prohibition
temperance question into the policy and
platforms Of the Republican party
throughout the United States. Thus
far in the Wcstno direct attempt Of the
kind has been made; nor do we have
any apprehepsions on the subject. We
know what have been the results Of all
such attempts heretofore. Last year
the temperance questions somehow or
other got dragged into the New York
electione, and the consequence was that
the Democratic candidate for Governor
carried New York city by such an over-
whalming majority that the entire Re-
publican State ticket was endangered
This year the same question was iden-
titled indirectly with tho Republican
elections in Maine, and We find q reduc
tion in the Republican majority Of about
twelve thousand votes. It IS very eyi.
dent. therefore. that the persis4ency
with which the temperance men are
pushing their favorite scheme can result
only in one thing-the reinstatement of
the Democratic party into power How
such . consumnation can aid the tenn
perance causewe are ct loss to imag-
Inc, for it is well known all throughout
our broad country that the Democratic
party 10 the last place to look for assist.
Ance ir carrying toward such reforma-
We wish the temperance cause all
and hope the various associ-
Ations now at work will continue their
abors but, to be successful, they must
smploy only those arguments which will
each the hearts and the minds Of the
,eople.-Chicago Republican.
asssx - - ------..s--.>s>-------SFg sI
The result Of the California election
las taught the Union party both in New
Fork and throughout the country
wholesome Lesson. It has taught US
hat We can never afford either 10 indulge
nfamily quarrels or to nominate any 9TH
6 than n'nnexceptionable men. Party chi-
auery was allowed in California to effsct
division in our ranks, and the enemy
ushed in at the breach and beat us.
foreover, of the two Republican candi-
ates for Governor neither had any real
Erength- The personal record of one
as not clear the other had no record