Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-09-11
Senator sherman on Temucrsuce.

In the eloquent speech Of Senator JoHN
SuERNGN delivered at the Republican State
Convention last week, appears the following
with reference to temperance: s.t
Aud now gentlemen, in conclusion, allnw me
to say few words upon subject that has
q never been political nnc, that ought not 10 he
made 20 now, but which will. whether we wish
or greatly affect political results not only in
Ohio, but in many States of the Union. | mean
the temperance question. That intemperance
Is the monster evil Of society. especially in En-
Rlish speaking countries, is fact which no man
can dispute. II is presented daily bv the blear-
eyed whiskev seller dealing out his slow rnis
t. depraved appetite = Nv the druukard bloatd
and rceling, robbed " his mind. his mnnhood
aud his honor nv what lie has drank by The
por wife growing daily more faded aul VA,
more homeless nnd hnmelcss-bv the ragged
children, neglected. pinched with hunger, and
shrinking with shame from healihful play bv
the thought of what iev see at hume. Mnlu
ply this by millions and add crime in every
form. the trial at the bar. the peniirntiarv the
/ scaffnid and the poor house and you have the
evils Of intemperancc. God knows they are
fearful enough without adding ihe exaggrra-
lions of rhetoric. No wonder that gond men
and women demand with fierce energy. that all
the agencies life, the Church, the States, po
lilical parties prayer, speech. song, the Tears
OF women aud the courage of men should be
arrayed against this monster. They demand
that the Republican party shall u tnnly under
take to destrny this evil. bpt shall do 1t in, a
particular way. by prnhi biting e-sate of~Nfi
spirituous vinnus aud matt liquors. Now,
while admitting the fearful evils NJ intent er-
ance, willie willing ms n citiz 10 do all | can
BY moral sra''nn r bv law to check these evils
mist reply that a l,nliical party is not the best
means to effect the hoped for result. Le' us
think OF these pruposti' ms a moment. Politi-
cal parties are formed Of men nf widely differ
ent npinions on religion, politics, morals, and
the like. but who agree in some common prnci-
pies efecting the framework Of the G v'ri
ment or its Administration. From the compost
ton Of the Republican party il no doubt en-
braces great PARTON Of the temperance men of
the country, but II also embraces a Multitude
Of other men who NAV differ as to the princi
pie or mode of dealing with the evils Of intern
prrance. Must we abandon Our political princi
nles and drive from us those who agree with ms
IN political topics. merely to do as a party
what we can now do as citizens As citizens
we can vote for temperance men-We can use
our m1ral social aud political influences
tn make and enforce wise temperance laws. We
can invoke the ai.innt only nf Republicans but of
Democrats for that work We can organize so
cieties, lecture, sTeak, pray, exhort nd get 9TH
ers TO dn likewise. 1t is sheer folly, in my
humble judgement. for those who would destroy
intemperanee to invoke the agency OF a poiti-
cal party to secure the passage rf pruhIbitury
law. Ii l. faNbetter tn leave such a question 10
the constantly improving morals aud education
nf the whole people nf Ohio as represented in
our General Assembly. II is purely local
question to be dicided bv local law aud affect
ing alone the people Of Ohio. Pull teal par ties
represent national questions and national inter
es,s. We are able to deal with our local quss-
tians without mingliug them with our national
politics.