Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-05
Temperauce vs.. Politics.

Temperance VS.. Politics.
The Temperance State organization,
which met at Newark on the 10Th, adopted
an address and made their declaration of
principles: Is
l. We will vote for no Incorporate man
of any party, for any office-drunkards are
unfit to hold office.
2. We will vote for no man known to be
in favor of owning or keeping open saloons
and beer gardens on the holy Sabbath.
g., We will vote for no man either. to
make or execute laws, who is opposed to
the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating
liquors OF any name, as beverage.
The Cleveland Leader takes issue with
the above. First assuming, Pharisee like,
that all Temperance men are Republicans,
and of course all men fond of their glass.
Democrats, it protests against the declara-
ton because it will hurt the Republican
party. Its argument is a singular one, and
is worth reading: edf
SIN the consideration of this question we
take it for granted, to begin with, that
these temperance men are all Republicans.
We know of no Democrat who believes in
prohibition we know of no man who is
active in the temperance reform who is not
also, naturally and almost inevitably. be-
lever in the anti-slavery and equal Rights
movements which have constituted the
central ideas and vital principles of the
Republican party. We therefore appeal
to these Republican prOhibitioniSts
to consider whether they are not jeopar-
dizing not only the great principle of
Equal Rights, at stake in the success or
defeat of the Republican party, but also
the very principle for which they are
struggling, whenever they refuse their
support to the Republican party, because,
while fighting noble battle for another
principle, it does not also take advanced
ground on this. Practical men take the
world as they find it, and consider what,
In the light of plain common-sense, will be
the result OF course of action before they
lnaugurate it. We entreat temperance men
to follow this sensible and practical course.
Let them consider that there are but two
parties, the Union Republican and the
Democratic; that, in view of the immense
Importance OF the issues at stake, third
party, organized on the Temperance basis,
would not draw off one-tenth of the Re-
publican party. 1t is obvious, therefore,
that any attempt to organize Temperance
party, or to make Temperance issues, out
side the Republican party, will not succeed.
Its only effect will be to weaken the Re-
publican, and as necessary consequence
strengthen the Democratic party. In the
present even political balance in this State,
SuOu oCtiOil Ou Guc paTG VI Luc Temperance
men would result in giving the State gov
ernment, executive and legislative, into
the hands of the Democratic party-a party
notoriously and bitterly opposed to any
prohibition or restriction upon the sale of
liquor. By this action, the Temperance
men would not only have overthrown the
Equal Rights principle, in which they all
believe, but they could have utterly pre-
vented the realization of their own wishes
In regard to restrictive temperance legisla-
ton. We trust that temperance men will
realize the fact that temperance legislation
can only be obtained through the Republi-
can party, and that when they vote against
That party they vote against themselves.
"The Republican party must not over
freight itself. 1t is carrying weight al
ready. The principles of Equal Rights
Which it has written upon its banners are
opposed to the prejudices and passions of
;he Ignorant. One thing at time, gem
ilemen. The time for settling this question
)f Equal Rights is evidently and pre-emi-
lenHy NOW. Other reforms must give
way to this. When this is achieved, it
will be time to re-organize parties on the
temperance QueStiOn-nOt now.
PARTIES must be divided upon one issue,
md only one. Other issues complicate and
confuse. The man that represents you in
hat pre-eminent issue must be your can
idate, even if in other and minor matters
ssue, every new one is a hindrance. 1t
Eliminates from your party. If you insist
lpon making your platform high, and de- |
ide that you will vote for no man who
oes not agree with you on every moral
question, you will find that you can vote
or only one man in the universe-your-
elf In this common-sense world this will
ever DO. You must select your party and
our candidates upon the one prominent
nd essential issue. This issue now is the
uestion of Equal Rights. The temper
nee question is disturbing element, and
ught to be postponed.
But the advocates of this movement
ay :'We desire to effect our object through |
be Republican party and we wish to re-
ornl that party.' To this we answer:
Veil and good we are with you in this
york.. But you can only reform that par
by remaining in it, not by opposing and
cheating it. If your tactics are to be con-
ne Republican party, you will act wisely;
ut when you fight that party you fight
our only friend and defeat your own in
srests."
Put that in your pipe, Mr.. Temperance
ian. and smoke it.. Your great moral re-
'rm is good, but it will hurt the great Re-
r,by law, but you mustn't do it. 1t
ill hurt CHASE or GRANT or somebody else
,r the Presidency.
Negroism is great moral reform, and it
as all right for the Reserve Republicans
force Negro Suffrage on the Republican
arty. but don't touch our drink, for that
i'll hurt us politically. .. .,.,tE
The pleadings of the Leader will have the
feet of staying the Temperance organiza-
on, in horn. The men who put forth
le address and platform, we take it for
ranted, knew what they were about. If
ey persevere they may produce reform
the members of the Leaders own party,
= forcing them to become Temperance
en- in name if not in fact, and that of it,
If will be something gained.
1t, as the Leader charges, all the Temper
ice men are Republicans, then they ought
go in for a much needed reform In the re-
aiming members of their party. If we
ought restrictive legislation would pro-
Ice Temperance we should go for it-as
e don't believe anything of the kind, we
e opposed to it.
egrO Suffrage to be Tried Again.
The Toledo Blade, in speaking of the de-
at of the Negro Suffrage amendment,
Iys:
THE result is by no means discouraging.
early 100000 electors of the State of
hio have shown by their ballots their
illingness to do justice to an oppressed
eople: The work will yet be accom-
iShed." .-.-- --.- ...--..-..-