The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-31
Massachusetts,.

The politics of Massachusetts, are very
muddy just now. Fanaticism concentrates
itself upon the liquor question, and its
leaders are disposed to hazard everything
upon the question Of the prohibition OF The
sale of ardent spirits. WENDELL PHrLLIrs
leads of valiantly and persistently on this
point. He win be content with nothing
short Of prohibition, and is determined t'
divide the people of Massachusetts upon
liquor or no liquor. The Republican stfate.
gists are quite put out with WENDELL. anu
would promptly put him down II 'ne!
could but they have too recent'! h""',"
with him, and what is worse. TOOK a., 'ne
game that was bagged to themselves. ne'
cannot treat him in the suinii'a,H
ner In which they wouio ino
dispose Of him, and hence persuasion %no
remonstrance are employed 10 di'ei' h'in
from his purpose, which is full OF danger
tn Radicalism. He is told that he will play
into the hands of the Democrats, and pos
sibiy elect a Democratic Governor by his
war upon liquor but this seems to have
no effect upon him. He has no respect TO
party interests and perHuisites. He goes
for principles as he understands them, and
turns deaf ear to partisan appeals and the
spoils OF party.
There is vast deal Of fanaticism in Mas
sachusetts, and they who ride the fanatlcal
hobby to-day may we'll fear that it will throw
them tomorrow. The fanatics Of that State
have been employed without scruple, and
with the coolest and most selfish calcutta
lions, by men who had really neither SYM
patty nor respect for them. But in the use
which has thus been made of these enthu-
sia>ts they have acquired prominence and
consequence which eNalts their self-compla-
cency and makes it difficult, if not impossi-
Bile, to control them. They must have their
hobby-their one idea for the time-and
nothing can divert them from it. 1t ards
slavery it is total abstinence from liquor.
Their zeal and pertinacity was illustrated
in their long war tor abolition, and the cum
ming politicians of Massachusetts Will hnd
them still displaying the traits of selt-wlll
and obstinacy in riding their present hobby.
It is good thing that the Massachusetts
madmen have at least to hunt up another
subject of agitation. The old theme, from
its peculiar nature and its relation to Sec
tional politics, gave them the power OF IN
ficting great injury upon the nation. They
will not easily find another theme which
Goes not enter into the social and political
economy of society at large without sec
tional or geographical limits. Fanaficlsm Is
less dangerous when it vents its frenzy
upon such theme as that. Society tnen
considers its agitations upon the broad and
comprehensive grounds of the moral and
social @elfare of the entire community.
One section is not seduced into an alliance
with fanaticism for the tempting spoils OF |
victory over another section. But all con- |
slider the general welfare upon the cardinal
principles which lie at the foundation OF
society - The wel-being Of all, by the
melting out of justice to all, and the pre-
servaton of the private rights and liberties
of all.
1t is not an ungratifying attitude Of poll
tics that has occurred in Massachusetts.
We trust that this concentration upon the
liquor war-this intermeddlng with the
private rights and freedom of society in
more bitter and prcsumptuous manner
than at any former time-may have good
effect even on the Bay State, and chasten
somewhat the spirit Of that State, which
has ever been to take care of the morals OF
other people-to require other people to
think as they do-and never to fail to dis
cover the mote in their neighbors' eyes, and
never to discern the beam that is in their
own.
IF in the imparting of this lesson the bit
ter politicians which have ruled that State
for ten years are beaten and sent into re-
tirement, it will be blessing that will be
hailed with delight by the whole Union.