New-York tribune., 1874-05-30

GOV. DIX AND THE TEMPERANCE PARTY.
GROUNDS OF THE TEMPERANCE OPPOSITION TO HIs
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. UNION or THE Twa
TEMPERANCE WINGS FOR THE PIGHT-His DE-
FEAT EXPECTED.
To ne Bdttor Of The Trtbune.
SIR: The attitude Of temperance men toward
Dix attracting good deal OF attention In polt
zeal circles The leaders Of the temperance forces IN
the are, with scarcely an exception very much
opposed to the reelection OF the Governor aud are conf
dent OF large following In any legitimate movements
they may inaugurate against him. The veto OF the 10
cal Prohibition bill. and that an issue OF which not
the slightest ntimaton had been previously given by
any one will be forgotten or forgiven by thcss
who had lsbored earnestly to secure its passage Tho
party was pledged TO the principle OF Local Prohibition
and the Governor well knew when he became q cabdi-
date that the redemption OF that pledge would be
pected and demanded.
1t is not to be disguised that he and his friends
now exceedingly anxious about the action OF temper
ance men. They were fearful last Winter that tho
Legislature would be again compelled TO take somo
action temperance which might again prove embar-
RAISING to the party and especially 70 the Governor In
February last the State Temperance Committee which
was appointed at the Tweddle Hall Convention last
year. met in Albany, and 1t quite amusing to wit
ness the anxiety which manifest at the Capitol in
their proceedings. The Committee made declaration
again Of Local Prohibition and asked the Legs
llurc and Governor to redeem the party pledges In
medatey party leaders and special friends OF the Cow
ernOr besOght members OF the Committee not 10 press
this matter. it would work mischief. IL was stated
that the Governor Was quite nervous about It, IL was
very evident that with such feeling at headquarters
othing could be done. And nothing was done.
The temperance forces OF the State united In
their opposition 10 the Governors reflection. but they
are united 10 tho methods 10 he employed In
venting it, Some who have heretofore co6perated with
the Republican party aim to prevent MS denomination
To this end a secret meeting held In Albany few
weeks Others prefer that he should be again nom
mated and then beaten at the polls This is the feeling OF
nearly all the Prohibition party men. They believe that
his nomination will send large number OF recruits
from the Republican to the Prohibition party. And
without doubt this belief Is well founded Viewing the
matter from party stand this position Is wise one
But the greater proportion oi temperance men IN tno
state have no; been III sympathy with the third party
movement. The State Temperance Society, State Con-
ventons, aud Orders Of Sons OF Temperance and Good
Templars, have repeatedly declared against II. But
these bodies however have repeatedly declared In favor
OF independent political action aud independent nom-
inaions when neither the principles nor nominees OF
the Re publican Democratic parties were satisfactory.
Therefore, order to carry out the principles aud
measures previously adopted. they will be compelled to
make an independent nomination for Governor next
FALL IL neither Of the old party candidates shall prove
acceptable. Gov. DIX certainly VIII not satisfy them.
he will probably be nominated II Is not likely that
the Democrats VIII nominate man wno will be adopted
by temperance men. Ii follows then tbat there must
be Independent nomination. This viii lead the two
wings of the temperance forces TO unite candidate.
They will select The strongest man In the state, and
make "a thorough canvass in his behalf. Mass meetings
aud c0nyentions will held, and all the enthusiasm
p0 ssOle will be thrown into the movement The Demo-
have learned wisdom from the past and Will with
out doubt nominate one their best men, who Will
manage general affairs of the State well, at least
Gov DIX 1t will not be possible, therefore, TO whip
the temperance men into the support OF DIX on tha
Will insure the election OF an unworthy Democrat.
Under these circumstances, II II NOT difficult 10 foreseo
what the result will be. Gov. Dix will De defeated
Fort EdWard, y. l., May Il. 1874. IAN.