Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-31
MR.. HoLToN's ANSWER.
J. D. GOODRICH.
Milwaukee, May 20, 1870,


DEAR SIR:-Your favor OF the 9Th Of
March is before NE. Several absences
from home and other engagements nave
10 part delayed an earlier answer. But
greater reason for this delay arose from
the importance Of careful reflection in
view of the present exigency Of public
affairs, to be considered along with the
great aud important question of temper
ance.
You will recollect that two years ago
at our State Temperance Convention, |
expressed the opinion that, were we then
to organize it would have the effect to
weaken the Republican party, and pos
sibly, throw the organization of the state
into the hands of the democratic party.
l further said on that occasion, that the
settlement of grave questions growing
out of the war, was entirely incomplete,
and that for the completion of these
questions, such as the protection of per
sons and property in the late rebel states,
and the vast questions of finance and the
adjustment of disputed points between
our own and other nations, Arising out
of the war, the continuance in power of
the Republican pa rty was unquestionably
demanded and, that Wisconsin could not
aftGra ~ IT, .rt fonr the S~i~~y of To
publican states in securing those ends
That, great and consequential as was the
cause of temperance, 1t was included and
| bound up in the national life; and that,
should the temperance men of Wiscon
sin act upon that issue alone, it would
lose the state to the Republican party,
and its example might be instrumental in
producing like results in other states, and
even throw absolutely tue National Gov
| eminent into the hands of the Democratic
party. The friends of temperance must
confront this phase of the subject. The
result WAS that separate political action
was not entered upon.
But from your letter it will be seen
that in your mind the time has noW fully
come. to take up distinctive political &C
ton on the part of temperance men in
Wisconsin. From this view i am still
obliged to disagree much upon the same
ground | did two years ago. General
Grant has now been in office two years.
lie inherited the demoraIizeG condition
of things left by the late half rebel An
drew johnson. An immense amount of
the most complicated and serious work
which any administrator of human gov
eminent ever encountered was before him
and his administration.
| cannot express to you the deep sense
Of obligation feel toward this man, not
only for his patient, enduring, persever
ing and successful conduct of our army
to victory on the field, but more for his
equally patient, enduring, persevering
and successful conduct of civil affairs du
ring the Presidency to the present time.
| am well aware that Mr.. Sumner. Mr..
Trumbull. and some others Of our leading
statesmen, have not given to General
Grant their warm confidence. Neither
do I concur in all that the President is
credited with saying and doing. But l
am well persuaded that in the great
characteristics of integrity, frmness, and
a patriotic desire to do the very best in
his power for the promotion of the ma.
tional welfare, no man is his superior,
aud for one, humble as may be my in
fluence, that influence must be held sub
Ject to perpetuate his administration
through not only this term, but second
one, if providence so directs. To this
end every Republican state is necessary.
None can be spared from the list, and.
least of all. the noble state of Wisconsin,
But may go further and raise the
question. All other things being equal,
still would a separate organization be ad
vsable fer our local state interests touch
ing the cause of temperance? Is not our
present excellent Republican Governor a
a total abstinence temperance man! Are
not all our state officers sober and good
men. perhaps with a single exception p
Have not the several Legislatures that
have managed the affairs of our state
since the ascendency of the Republican
party borne the character OF sober, earn
est men? Who is offended upon going
to the capital now with drunkenness or
any marks of It'll And as to the dispo-
sition of the party to enact radical tenn
perance laws, am inclined to think that
had the executive committe of the state
society gone before the Legislature last