The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-10-01
THE STATE TEMPERANCE UNION

THE STATE TEMPERANCE UNION.
The annual convention Of this body
took place at Salem on Tuesday and
Wednesday of last week. The delega-
tion, owing, doubtless, to the busy sea-
son, was not so large as usual, although
q agoOdly number of enthusiastic workers
were present. Warm debates upon pO-
litical questions were had, which were
finally ended by the adoption, by vote
of % to 10, of a resolution endorsing the
action of the convention that placed
Mr.. Dimick in the field. What effect
this endorsement is expected to have
upon the election of the candidate has
not yet transpired, although doubtless
number Of delegates voted for it with
the firm conviction that its passage
wSuld send him triumphantly to the
halls of Congress.
We happened to be one of those who
witnessed the pangs that ushered this
Temperance Union into the world some
two years since, and well remember the
rueful thrOes of its progenitors during
the momentous birth-crisis. "All po-
litical elements must be kept out" said
these sagacious organizers, or rampant
disorganizers, who hoped by acting
upon this plan to terrify Woman Suf-
fragists and keep the annual convention
of the same from sending delegates to
wait upon their noisy and pulling bant-
ling, which but for the tender mercies
Of fwomen would have been choked while
yet in its swaddling clothes by the
nauseous pap upon which ignorant and
prejudiced nurses attempted to feed it.
To fence against Woman Suffragists, of
whom weak-minded men stand in NOR
tai terror, an article was incorporated
into its constitution specifying infinitely
that the members should be composed
of delegates sent from churches and
temperance societies; afterward, consid-
ering Sabbath Schools harmless, nom
political bodies, their delegates were ad-
mitted. No sooner had these prelimi-
naries been arranged, and little bun
comb INDUCED in relative to the har-
mony and good order that was expected
to accrue from the exclusion of political
questions in their temperance delibera-
tions, than committee on "Political
Action" was appointed by the President;
and to render the thing still more con-
sistent, woman, avowedly opposed to
women dabbling in politics, WAS placed
thereon.
The complexion of the Union has, how
ever, changed since that period, and
many staunch Woman Suffragists have
been allowed to sit in its councils, al
though the clause in the constitution re-
ferred to would exclude them did they
come accredited delegates from a suf-
frage society, every member of which
was an earnest, conscientious Iaborer in
the temperance reform.
Forgetful or unmindful of the dire re-
suits that were foretold if political ques-
tions were introduced into the organiza-
tion, this Union has, with its delegation
composed exclusively of representatives
from non-political bodies, half of them
at least not even voters, endorsed
by vote of nearly three to one the ac-
tiOn Of political convention. That
they in SO doing have transcended the
bounds set for them by the founders of
the organization, is plain; that they
have acted without discretion or judg-
ment in assuming prerogatives not pos
sessed by the bodies which sent them
there, is certain; that the whole thing
Temperance ticket, endorsement, and all
is farce, is apparent. to everybody;
and that it will result disastrously to
the temperance cause in this State, does
not admit of doubt.
Wounded sore
At her own altars and among her friends,n
Will be the sorrowful inscription upon
the dropping banners Of temperance, as
the few who rallied around it return
crippled and detected from the field,
Knocked by the jeers of their enemies.
Of the few actual voters who Joined in
forcing the convention into political &C
tion, half, at least, comprising all that
portion of Democratic antecedents,
really want Lane elected to Congress,
and will vote for him. Their purpose is,
Of course, to create diversion in favor
of him by drawing votes from the only
candidate who is really his competitor.
But apparent as this is to every person
of penetration, there are some, no doubt,
who will not see through it till after the
election, when they will rub their eyes
and stare at the beggarly list of votes
for Mr.. Dimick, while the fact that they
have been victims of trick will begir
TO dawn slowly on their foggy intellects
Mrs. Duniway accuses the editor Of the
''StaT7 Of using tobacco. We do not intend Il