Business index. (Wilmington, Del.) 1876-18??, 1876-05-24
For the @INDEx.'
Politics and Temperance.

FRIEND BRowN.-Learning that YOU
We're ABOUT to commence the publication
oI paper in our city, to be called .srhe
lndex,' | take the liberty of writing for
you few lines, which you can either
make use of or destroy, at your pleasure.
have chosen for my theme Politics and
femt 'erance," Republicans, Democrats,
and the temperance people are preparing
fot the great battle which is soon to come
OIL All along the lines the tocsin has
been sounded, and each of course is pre-
pared to meet the issues which will come
Deiure them.
The Temperance people have but one
OBJECT In view, and that is to have such
men elected to the Legislature as will
enact law prohibiting altogether the
sale of intoxicating liquors. That law
OF this kind is really needed no one. I
presume, will attempt to deny; bu, the
now to elect such men as will give them
this law, ID matter that puts them 10
their wits end. Whoever heard OF !,
Republican or Democrat forsaking hi.
party aud joining hands with a third
party upon one single issue and that
issue too, probably repugnant to large
49, 80 nofii EistILlGS.
II ls worse than folly for the Temper
ance people to attempt to commit either
OF the two great parties to this question
OF prohibition. The majority of the pco-
pie are not prepared to have prohibit
tory law passed. They must first be I'd
ucated up to it. The majority of the pep
PIE must be IN favor OF such u law; even
II ench law was passed, no matter how
Stringent Its provisions might be, it would
De rendered nullity, if the majority did
not favor it. 1t is all very well for men
70 sign Temperance pledge that they
VIII neither touch, taste, handle, buy nor
sell IN oxlcating liquors; but it looks
exceeding bad for these same men to sign
an application recommending certain
parties AS suitable persons to sell intoxi-
eating drinks. And here is where the
great trouble is; here is where the tenn
perance men are deceived into the belief
that hosts of people are their friends,
"heh really they are the very worst
enemies they have to contend with. Men
VIII not stick when the word Forward
Is given; they will go back to their first
ioVe, despite of threats and promises, /
nave seen such things before, and j ex-
pect to see them again.
The only hope of the Temperance
people is to establish third party.--a
temperance party; grid on the whole
armor OF party; nominate persons for
the different offices which are to be filed,
and let their battle cry be rum or no
rum;" then it will be fair, square stand
up fight and neither of the other
parties will be bothered with this vexed
question, which has puzzled some OF
tbs wisest men OF the nation. / am u
temperance man from principle, have
been for the last thirty years, and nothing
would give me greater pleasure than TO
see the sale of liquor prohibited, even
for medicinal purposes. want to see
happy homes and cheerful countenances,
where now is sorrow, and restitution and
ibeggary. Oh, this curse of rum is gnaw-
ing the Very vitals out of the people as
well as the nation. 1t is demoralizling
and degenerating our whole race, But
will stop moraiizing, as / have already
written more than intended 6.