The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
THE ARTFUL DODGERS.
How the Republicans Of Indiana
Treat the Temperance Question.
A HOME THRUST.

- hO1E
RECORD OF THE RADICALS ON THE TEN
PERANCE QUEsTIoN--A STARTLING SERIES
OF EVASION AND CONTRADICTIONS.
To the Editor of the Sentinel:
SIR-The last republican legislature of
1873 passed what is commonly known as
the Baxter bill, aud the Republican State
Convention two years ago Endorsed ex-
pressly the doctrine of "local option"
Senator Morton, in his key note
speech in the opening Of the
strongest ground in favor of local
option and stringest legislation on the
subject of temperance, falsely accusing
the democratic party of favorIng in all it's
legislation on the subject, the vice of in
temperance. The canvass of 1874 between
the two parties in this state involved q
very full discussion of the issues presented
by these policies. Yet the convention
of the I'D of February ad
to the subject of temperance at all. The
present law upon the subject was passed
almost against the solid vote of the repub-
lican Numbers of both the Senate and
House, and against the earnest protest of
all the republican leaders In both branches.
found silence Of the late republican con-
vention, Just adjourned, upon this topic?
If local option was right in 1874 Is it wrong
now? If the question was one of sufficient
importance then, to form q plank in the
platform, what has lesseend IFS impor-
tsnce since? Baxter, too, in all
THE GLORY OF TOTAL ABSTINENCE
and prohibition, was upon the floor
of the late convention as a delegate,
bat he sat dumb as death upon the princi-
pies which he has heretofore so loudly
and persistantly advocated. It seems Just
possible to conceive that this dreary ST.
lence of his and his supporters was
hardly voluntary. It was dou btless i'm
posed. HIS lips and those of his follow
ers (for the convention was largely COM
posed OF those who voted for and advocated
the Baxter lswl were doubtless closed and
sealed by the "powers that be" around
the postoffice and revenue department.
These fanatics were doubtless also secretly
assured that their silence would profit
them, that the party should go into the
canvass without any declaration at all
upon temperance. But as soon as the re-
pntlicsrs controlled the legislature,
THE LICENSE LAW SHOULD BE REPEALED,
and the state should be Immediately re
mitted to all the beauties and glories OF
Baxter and prohibition. They were
doubtless fold in soft, woolly whispers
that it would not do to take ground in tbs
opening of a presidential campaign,
in favor of prohibiting legislation
on local option. 1t would injure Morton
and "the cause" But that as soon es the
election was safely over and the German
vote ana ether liberal suffrages safely
polled and counted for the republican
ticket then the license law should be re-
pealed, and the programme of tsnaticism
should find again, in the form of law,
we believe that large majority of the peo-
pie of the state are satisfied with the oper-
stion OF the present law. They think it a
wise conservative. measure, decreasing the
evils OF intsmpersnce and wisely adjusting
the rights of dealers and those of the pub
lie. The republican state convention
dared not to condemn it.
They dared not disturb it. They had
sill less courage to approve or commend
it. Silence was their safest refuge. But
we do not see how Baxter and his numer-
Gus friends bargained tor silence and kept
the bargain. They claim, falsely claim,
their so-called Temperance principles to
be part of their gospel of
"God, humanity and morality"
these dogmas were
ETTHER AFRAID OR ASHAMED
to avow them. We warn the honest
thinkers and voters of the state against
giving their confidence to aparty which
asks power without any declarations of
principle upon this important
subject, and who would use power
if they obtained il, TOR the purpose of de.
stroying the measure, which, by their si.
lence, they now commend; aud which the
people of the state believe to be just set
Element Of the delicate rights and relations
involved in what is known as temper
aDce legislation.
INDIANAPOLIS, March 10, 1876.
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