The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-10-28
Poiitica I Astitsde Of the Prohisitionisis
as siefaed by w. d.

l
| And broke the die i'm moulding Sheridan
| .
PoIitie4I Astitade Of the Prohibiiionist.
as defaed by 8. w. ID"
Mr.. Editor.-I claim to be Republican
and personal friend to "W. D.,"-iavored his
appointm snt in 1855, opposed his removal, in
sisted on his reappOintment IN 1857, and IN
common with most Republicans was more
than gratified at his appointment in 1865 10
one OF the most important, desirable and lt-
cratiVe national offices in the State. Ifyou
VIII pardon my egotism, | contributed my
small quota to the perfection and passage OF
The prohibitory liquor law OF 1853, which was,
IL was thought, about what "W. D." wanted
tooe and was considered finality. AT any
rate, for the first tune in our history, the peo.
pie, were, as understood, with his approval
and advice, called in to soemnize its passage
by special election. l have hot opposed any
OF the subsequent acts, including those OF last
winter, nor felt disposed to threaten anybody
for their enactment. a8
| But, since the State election, intmations,
more or less obscure, menaces, more or less
vague, have at short intervals appeared in the
papers, protesting to indicate the purposes of
the Prohibiionlsts" of Maine, in case any
amendment OF either OF the additional acts
is made, except to take more advanced
ground" att.I ,...t e.F
Now since many OF these writers and speakers
are men OF no extraordinary prominence,
Prohibltionists' who deem their utteranees
unsound and unwise can afford to let them
pass unnoticed as unauthorized by the true
representatives and expounders OF the cause
But when gentleman of the high personal
professional and political standing Of ''W. d."
allows his initials to be appended to such ar
ticles, they assume more serious aspect, and
merit, as they will receive, the candid and
thoughtful consideration ofhis friends and the
friends of Temperance at
To the Star lew days ago, "W. D." con-
tributed an article entitled The Issue on
Prohibition" wherein he is pleased to say
"And if our legislation on this subject Is let
alone, temperance men will continue to act
as they have acted. They have not resolv-
ed upon any different course OF action. But
| II, as certain men in this State are advising,
| crusade is to be started against any of our
legislation on this subject, the issue will
not be made by us but by them. And in that
case, we should be recreant to out duty not
to meet it. The responsibility Of carrying the
| question into politics will not be on U.S."
Again he says, "Bat II prominent Republi
cans iu the rext Legislature undertake to
/ IN bxy. L..
Constabulary act, or otherwise modifying
The lac, they must meet the consequences
They win find that they cannot overbid the
other party in that direction. They will dis
gust large body OF their own party and COM
pei them TO vote indepen lently for members
Of the Legislature" etc. This communica-
tion and one OF similar tenor addressed by him
to the Bangor Whig and Courier a few days
after the election, and his reported speeches at
Temperance conventions and on other public
occasions, are my apology for this article. For,
being Republican" as well as "Temper-
anee man." confess TO deep and perma
nent interest in the solution of the mighty
national issues low pressing upon the citizens
Of Maine, and believe myself entitled
substantially to know what course our
leaders are marking out for us. And ! am
confident that "W. D." will crafty this par
donable desire, for he has had the manliness to
make himself known through his signature
and is believed to be man above disguise or
concealmeDt. SO that in view Of the trans
| cendent importance of the national issues or,
| l might say issue, that is, the assured tri-
umph of law, order, liberty and human rights
in this; country forever by an overwhelming
national Republican victory next fall, have
made bold, through your columns, respectful
| ly to ask my friend Nv. d." a few questions
suggested by his published intim .tions and
predictions. to. I.a,
l. If the Legislature next winter should,
by the advice of some OF the soundest, oldest,
wisest and best known "pr0hibitionists" in
Maine, see fit to repeal the Constabulary law
or the amendment of last winter, or to modi-
fy any Objectionable feature of either, does
Nv. d." propose to bolt the regular Republi-
can ticket or help to organize a third party
next September, or to cut from the ticket the
names of such Representatives or Senators as
shall have so voted?
g. II either or both OF said laws should be
repealed or materially modified without such
advice, does he intend to do as above?
8. Does he call the repeal or modification
OF either OF said laws "a crusade against any
of our legislation on this subject" and does
he call the proposal and discussion of snch
repeal or modification, "the starting cru
sade?"
| 4. Does he demand that all "prohibitory"
legislation must be "let Alone" whatever de-
fects or evils its practical operation may de-
velOpe? .afa -it
8. Does he call all legislation which in
creases the penalties or multiplies the ma
chinery OF the liquor law advance steps in
| prohibition, without regard to the character OF
such legislation or its tendency, and is he pre-
pared in future to vote against Representa-,
tive or Senator solely because he may have
favored its repeal or modification? -.
| 6. Does he regard what he calls 'the Issue
on Prohibition" as more important at this
time than the National issue? as.
T. Does he regard the maintenance OF the
Constabulary law unamended for another
year as more important than the success OF
the Congressional and the defeat OF the Presi-
dental policy?
8. Does he deny that every vote subtract
ed from the regular Republican ticket in this
State will tend to weaken the influence OF
Maine in favor of Republican principles in the
nation?
| o. How large proportion OF the Temper
anee Republicans of Maine does he claim that
his views and purposes represent?
| sincerely hope that "W. d. viii favor the
| public with his answers to the above, so that
we may all act Understandings and above
board; nothing can in the end be gained for
the cause Of Temperance or Republicanism
by indefiniteness or circumlocution.
As for myself, although hold no political
Office, and am candidate ior none, repre-
sent nobody and assume to speak for nobody
but myself and therefore consider my ini-
tials as of no consequence, will be as
frank as l ask W. ID. to be, and say that
my intention Is, II alive and In health,
ITO vote the entire regular Republican
ticket in September and November next. II the
Constabulary law and the anne ndment of last
winter are either or both retained In nll
force.
| 10 do the same, II either or both are