Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-10-28
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, OCT. IS, 1871.
"POlitical Temperance"

"Political Temperance"
Rev. Mr. Curtiss, of the Baptist denom-
inatiou, addressed a large audience in
Olympic Hall, last Monday evening, upon
the subject of "Political Temperance"
The theme was able handled, instructive
and entertaining. Itdiffered so much from
ordinary temperance speeches, that as
novelty aud to disseminate the many whole
some truths uttered, We yield it ample space
at this time. The speaker began by stat.
ing that good reforms never went back
wards, every step was onward and upward.
When the temperance reform was first az
itated 10 the United States, the only pledge
was one of abstiu ence from ardent spirits
Even that, simple as it was, met with
great opposition. 1t was found, however,
a practical result, that men who were
supposed to be reclaimed through its oper-
atoms, we're liable to fall. The vitiated
appetite, supposed to be overcome, would
be aroused by the drinks considered as
harmless, and the victim would again find
his level in the gutter. Hence another
step appeared necessary, and temperance
men agreed, in convention, to urge all who
would to place the letters at. A." Total
Abstinence after their names, affixed to
the pledge. The result proved the wis
dom Of the plan.
Previous to this time, the liquor traffic
was regarded as proper and honorable by
all classes. Deacons and elders in the
church we're, not unfrequeutly vendors Of
the article, aud it was found that even
these religious men did not scruple to in
duce reformed men to violate their solemn
obligation Of total abstinence. This gave
rise TO the movement for prohibition.
The Legislature of Michigan, where the
speaker then resided, was appealed to for
prohibitory enactment. The lawmakers
instead Of accediug to the demand, framed
a Law submitting the question Of licensing
the traffic to the people. At the election
At which it was submitted to popular vote,
some counties declared for and others
against license. Subsequently, conven.
ton assembled to draft State Corstitu
ton. Every member was Democrat
The Constitution was submitted with Q
clause forever prohibiting the granting Of
liquor licenses in the State, and it was
adopted by the people. The speaker then
traced the Temperance movement from
the adoption of this constitution down tt
the late rebellion. Daring the war, the
temperance cause was mainly kept alive
by the secret organizations formed to ad
vance that object. Four years ago, a con
veutiou was called to frame new State
Constitution. That assembage was com
posed exclusively Of Republicans. TWEEN
ty-ive thousand temperance men unitet
in petition to the convention requesting
the insertion of clause prohibiting tn.
sale of intoxicating liquors. odd they
do it," asked the speaker warming will
his subject. "No. And why? Be-
cause" he replied in seutoriau accents
Eve thousand Dutchmen threatened t.
vote with the Democrats and defeat TIL
constitution, ifthey inserted the prohibi
tory clause!" So the convention, to re
tain these " Eve thousand Dutch voters,
submitted the Constitution with the pro
hibitory clause As an outside issue, to b.
voted upon separately, just as some of the
members Of this Legislature propose t.
submit the question Of woman suffrage
Both the constitution and prohibition wer'
defeated, the Temperance men voting gen
orally for the latter and against the former
Osce, since the Republican party had beer
IN power in his State, the Temperance men
By shifting With the prevailing party hat
succeeded in-slectiug temperance men ant
0btaisiag prohibitory law. They mad
an effort TO enforce it, They obtained
conviction, issued the necessary paper
and placed them in the hands Of the pro