The Placer herald., 1874-12-26
THE TEMPERANCE PARTY.

The decision Of the Supreme Cour: against
the Local Option Law, seems TO have
aroused the temperance people Of the State
to new exeriioDs. 1t is but short time
since they held grand State Temperance
Convention, and laid the foundation Of what
they call the Temperance Reform party; end
very lately the Central Committee met in
San Francisco, and passed resolutions ac-
corning to instructions Of said Convention.
thus completing and setting to work, as it
were, the organization. On the part of the
temperance people this action may be wise
and it may not, we think it is not. The
name Of their party, Temperance Reform, !"
embraces good words. and words that bear
= significance; strongly suggestive Of lhs
popular demand Of the people. Their is
nothing Questionable either in the sentiments
set forth in their platform on the contrary,
their is much TO admire. Indeed it would
seem that both the name and principles Of
this. new organization would, in these times
OF much needed reform, comm end them
selves to The popular. mind and meet with
general acceptance; but it is our conviction
that they will not, and this is why. There
is known to be a strong coercive element
among the temperance people, an element
not satisfied to appeal TO mems judgments,
but who, could they have their own way,
would compel by force. if necessary, every
man to live moral life, according to their
peculiar creed. Such doctrine is--and It
is best that it is-repulsive to the average
American mind. And it will be from lear
Of the ssceDdency Of this coercive principle
already strongly manifested by the temper
ance people, that men who could freely and
cheerfully endorse every sentiment set forth
by this Temperance organization, will op-
pose it. This party say they are in favor
Of casiing aside all previous party affiliations,
and use their influence to secure temperate,
honest men to hold the various Offices. This
is all well. All good men admire, and ought
TO give preference to temperate and homes
men, and all good men will, when temper
ance and honesty in The Official is the OBJ
ject sought. But let it be breathed abroa
that If these" temperate and honess' mea are
elected they will use their official power and
influence to force all other men to be as they
are, and they would not get many votes,
even from the most ardent admirers Of the
virtues they claim to represent. Coercion
would thrive better in any country than
America. Say to an American "you shall
quit drinking" und he will reply, 81 will
not" Say to him, "woaId it not be better
for Yourself, and those dependent ON you if
yon would quit hmbibiugs' And be would
say, "yes it would" Excite his reason,
and something may be done; excite his stub
bo.rness, and your efforts will I've unavailing
We said we think temperance people acted
unwisely in forming themselves into poliii-
cal organization. They have only one idea
to recommend Il EN- over other parties, and
the day has not come when people will for
sake all else for the sake Of that one idea
II their only object is to secure iem crate and
honest officials, they would have ten chances
to accomplish that object by holding them
selves as balance Of power between the es-
tablished parties, 10 where saey will have
| one. as a seperate organization. In this conn.
ty, for instance; as a balance Of power the
temperance people can elect who they please
while as q distinct organization, they coulc
elect nothing. without the indorsement Of on,
or the other Of the established parties.