Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-13
PROHIBITION IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

PROHIBITION IN MASSACHUSETTS,
The prohibition ticket in the late election
in Massachusetts made but a poor show
In a population of nearly million and a
half the prohibition candidate for Govern
or receives less than seven thousand votes
Last year, Wendell Phillips running as an
independent candidate, supported by Ia
bor reformers and temperance men, had
almost twenty-five thousand votes; While
this year the two parties disunited and
,,nning each its own candidate carried in
the whole only about thirteen thousand
votes. The figures as we find them two
DAYS after election are. for labor reform
6592, for prohibition $500, the total beng
about nine thousand less votes than Phll-
lips had last year.
Were we to take the vote for the prohl-
bition candidate as the sum OF all who Ia
vor temperance in Massachusetts, or even
of all who favor the principle OF prohlbl-
ton, we should fall into a grievous error.
We have no doubt that prohibition run
ming entirely upon its merits, disentangled
from other issues, would in Massachusetts
as in Maine command majority OF votes,
and that the honest temperance sentiment
of the State is overwhelmingly strong
but dragged into the election as virtual
ally of the democracy, and against the
better judgement and remonstrance OF
the great body of temperance men, II
makes but beggarly show in the result
and inflicts damage upon the cause it pro
fesses 70 sustain.
Taking the facts as they appear there il
little wisdom in undertaking to press into
the field at this time independent prohibi
ton tickets. They have failed wherever
tried. The most they could accomplish il
any event would be to disrupt the republi
can party and bring into power the de-
mocracy, whose strength is found in the
grogshops OF the land. To attempt to
carry discreet republicans for atemperance
ticket, with the prospect ahead that their
votes if cast in that direction would be
democratic gain and actual temperance
loss, is not an easy task. as one might log
ically infer before election and practically
realize after the votes are counted. The
spread and success of temperance are de-
voutly wished for by thousands in Massa'
chusetts who did not vote for Pitman. Tc
claim therefore as his supporters doubtless
will that their vote included all the tenn
perance sentiment of the State, belittles
its strength. weakens the cause in the eyes
of its friends and encourages its enemies
in their opposition to it.
The true policy for workers in the tenn.
perance cause is therefore proved by ex
perience to be to labor in harmony will
the republican party. That is the expert
ence in Maine and will be in Massaohu
sets. The republican party is sound upoi
the temperance cause. 1t can be trustee
to perform whatever is reasonable to b.
done. 1t has carried and still carries pro
hibtion in its platform. Whatever success
that principle has had in Maine or else
where is due to the republican organiza
ton. We have for Governor of the Stat
an unwavering supporter Of prohibition
elected by republican votes. The banne
of temperance which Maine carries is re
spected by the dignitaries of this and othe
nations when they become our guests
The sale of Intoxicating liquors is restrict
ed to the larger places in the State, wher
the traffic is only continued under tn
greatest difficulties. And it is only neces
sary in order to advance to educate publ
sentiment and abandon the idea of tearing
down the republican party by the forma
ton of pasty based upon the single ide
of prohibition There must be other prin
cples joined with temperance to carry thu
masses and build up strong, wide-reach
ing party. 1t is an important principle
dear to every right thinker, but there ar,
other principles as important upon whicl
parties must stand. Fortunately the indie
pendent prohibitory tickets have thus ia
been able to do no harm, except in tn
misrepresentation their vote makes Of thu
temperance strength, if that be taken as
criterion. The trial in Massachusetts ha
settled the question there for some time
After the result of last Tuesday no on
will have the courage to advocate an indie
pendent ticket next year, unless perhap
it may be Wendell Phillips. Its friend
will fall back upon the republican party a
a support for their cause, and doubles
will find it there as here willing and ei
ficient agent in all feasible measures 70
the promotion of temperance.
C0TTAJ ND TNDTTSTPJ1 C