Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-10-08
THE THIRD PARTY.

EDITOR CHRONICLE-TwO years ago
identified myself with the Prohibi-
ton Party, for the reason, that where
rs the Temperance question was one OF
vital importance to the material, So
cial and moral interests of the people,
and whereas, the two great parties of
the country had persistently ignored
that question, evidently to the intent
that they might WELD, each for itself,
the whisky element as a balancing
power in itself. Therefore, in my
judgment the time for separate politi-
ical action on that question had fully
arrived. l moreover gave it as my
opinion, that if the Republican party
would introduce into its platform a
Temperance plank, and prove the inno-
cense of their intent by nominating
strictly temperance men for Office,
there would be no occasion for the Pro-
hibition party, and that l fully be-
!lieved by way of endorsing such action
the Prohibition ticket then nominated
for Belmont county would be with
drawn. Such being my views then,
how that the dominant party has fully
endorsed that question, L would net be
true to myself or my convictions, if l
did not disavow belief in the necessi-
ty of further continuance of a third par
ty, until, at least, by the hearty coop
GRAFTON of all good temperance men in
harmony with the principles endorsed
by the Republican party, we have
tried, and found it wanting.
But it is said by the Prohibition Cen
trail Committee that the Republican
party has really given us no plank in
their platform, inasmuch as Prohibi-
ton has not even been named therein.
1t does seem to me that this argument
will do more to convict prohibitionists
of awaDt of sincerity, and of desire
simply to lead party, than to con-
vince reasonable men OF either the
business or consistency of their position.
Resolved, That the restraint of in
temperance and its causes, to the ex-
tent of the legislative, judicial and po-
lice powers of the State," DC.
Is not the sale ofintoxicating liquors
as beverage one of the principal if not
the chief cause of intemperance, &C.?
If SO, then, according to the pronounce
ment of that plank, it is to be restrain
ed to the extent of legislative ability,
&c. Does not that extent reach even
prohibition? Do prohibitionists offer
more?
| But the Republican candidates are
not all up to this measure. Then drop
those VINO are not. This, in my judg-
ment, would be vastly better than by
separate action, to throw into power
the party now pledged to re-Submit to
the people the question of license so
recently voted down by the people.
1t does seem to me that the extent
Of legislative, judicial and police au-
thority of the State is so far as any par
y can go to remove the causes and ef-
.ectS OF intem perance. And that druak-
enness or intemperance shall work a
forfeiture of public trust, is the extent
to which the sense of moral obligation
will now lead the great mass OF
Temperance men in the State; and if
so, then it is folly for temperance men
TO divide i'll such a crisis as this on
mere Technology or modes of express
sion.
The success Of the Republican party
in this campaign will give US vantage
ground and solid basis for future ac-
ton; while its defeat will throw us
back to the status of this question twen-
ty years ago, just where we were COM
pelied 10 fight at the last constitutional
election. shall we never get farther on
than tbs question Of license Or no Ii
cense?
Moreover, t. insist on sepa rate action
now, is in my judgment, suicidal to the
Prohibition party. The rank and file
of that party will not, cannot afford to
vote that ticket this fall without con-
victing themselves of insincerity or
fanaticism. And it would not be at
ali surprising to me, Notwithstanding
the great advance in Temperance senti-
ment, if at the close of the election, the
leaders of that party would find TO their
complete modification that the voters
OF that party had largely diminished
in numbers.
Since it is impossible to influence the
leaders of that party, l must say to the
voters of it-because feel it to be my
duty to say it-Do not support by in
directness a cause which you would
spurn TO support directly, when to do
otherwise involves no sacrifice OF prin-
cipIe on your part. Will we be held
by the shackles of party, when the life,
the happiness, the prosperity of indi-
vidualS and families are at stake, and
the peace and material prosperity of
communities are in the balance? Ii
the Republican party has promised us
falsely, we shall know it in time to be
vastly better off than if the opposite
party prevail. ii. w. BAKER.
Barnesville, O., Oct. 5, IA.