Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-12-09
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. 8, 1871.
" Political temperance"

The Echo of this week contains very
sensible article upon the subject embraced
in the above caption, and were it not that
the chief men in the lodge, as well as the
main conductors of that journal, had
shown such blind and infatuated zeal for
the Republican party, in times past, pros
tituting the Order and and ignoring their
solemn obligations TO contribute to the sue
cess of the yilest and most mcrccneuary Of
partisan candidates, we should feel inclined
to pat it on the back and exclaim Well
done you have at last hit upon something
tangible, something really practical, to ad-
vance the reform you profess to have so
much at heart" But alas ! our faith in
the sincerity of our temperance friends is
not strengthened by the remembrance of
the political campaigns ofthe past few years.
1t is folly for them to attempt to deny that
they have willingly consented to be ridden
by the most Inscriptions Of demagogues
during the last two contests for the Dele
gateship. They feel in the Utmost recesses
of their hearts that Flanders used them as
he would mere stepping-stone to reach
the coveted prize. While they should ex-
tend the utmost charity in judging of the
motives which prompt the assumption Of
the obligations of the Order, his sudden
conversion twcnty-four hours after his
nomination, should have induced them TO
at least investigate the charge made that
he had not in the slightest degree aban-
doned the habits his pledge was intended
to restrain. We state what we know to be
the truth that Good Templars were aware
of his violation of the pledge, at an early
stage of the canvass, but excused, pallia-
ted and attempted to cover up the moral
obliquity, to advance the cause of party
and secure partisan success. His oppo.
nant, while he made no pretensions to strict
Temperance principles, was a man of far
more ability, and certainly was guiltless of
the sin that should be the detestation and
abhorance of all consistent members Of the
Order. "'Twere better far to never vow,
than VOW and sin again." The result of
the election was applauded to the echo by
Good Templars and Good Tipplers, and
Flanders was accepted as the immaculate
representative Of self.righ,eous Good Tenn
plar Republicans, with his conscience scared
and his character blackened by the viola
ton of VOWS involving the first principles
and attributes of manhood. And it an.
pears that time did not produce any marked
change in the moral sentiment of the Or.
der, for when Gar6elde's delinquencies be-.
came so notorious, his gambling propensi-
ties and drinking habits so marked and
bold, as to be theme of constant comment.
they did not rid the Order of the offend.
ing member, as commanded 10 Holy Writ,
and as they would probably have done had
the accused been poor Tom Brown, without
friends or influence; but after delays in
Vulnerable the lodge concluded to license
Selucious to drink the forbidden beverages
as cure for the asthma, and we believe
the Lodge Physician prescribed the use of
alcoholic beverages to meet the "require.
ments Of the party" and the solicitations
OF these righteous Republican Good TEN.
plars This high official sanction of the
lodge made Asthmatic Bitters" the
fashionable beverage at our saloons, and
contributed more to make drunkenness re-
spectable than anything the vendors of the
ardest could have done. This is why
=" there is little hope of reforming society
on the subject Of temperance. Not be-
cause Of the inherent strength of the op.
posers OF the reform, but the Inconsistency
Of its advocates. If professors of religion
or temperance make their moral obligations
secondary to mere partisan success, and
aid to elevate unworthy men to Office, just
~ long they will be rode by corrupt politi.