The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-10-24
TEMPERANCE AND POLITICS.

It is only necessary for Temperance
men to give the matter their careful con
sideratiOn to convince them that the
Temperance question does not belong n
politics. Neither of the two great polit'
ical parties are Temperance parties, while
in the ranks of each of them are found
many earnest temperance workers, and q
large number more who are in sympathy
with the cause. In this, rs in all reforms,
success depends upon the united efforts
of its advocates, but as its advocates, be-
long to different political parties, they
cannot possibly unite by making temp.
erance q political issue. Nor is the
temperance cause in any way advanced
when the temperance men of either party
succeed in defeating the regular nominee
of their parties because he is not q tenn.
perance man.
In 1880 the temperance question will
be squarely before the people of Kansas
in the shape of proposed constitutional
amendment, prohibiting the manufac-
ture and sale of Intoxicating liquors. If
wise counsel prevails among temperance
people this question will be kept out of
politics, and speakers from both political
parties will be sent together throughout
the State soliciting the votes of the tenn
perance people of both parties. Of
course there will be many temperance
men, desiring personal gain, who will
urge the nomination of temperance
ticket; but all disinterested friends of
the cause will favor some such course as
.,ur,ootad ,boya Tf <b;o ovnandvuont 10
adopted every temperance vote in the
State will have to be secured in its favor,
and this cannot be done by organizing a
temperance party and expecting tenn
perance men to desert their old organi-
cations.
Temperance Republicans, word with
you: If you are true to your political
convictions and honest in your temper
ance professions, you can insure the sue
cess of the former and best advance the
interests of the latter by voting the
straight Republican ticket. As has been
said before, the defeat of any one or
more of the Republican candidates on
account of their not being temperance
men, can not in the least advance the
cause of temperance. 1t would only be
taken rs an evidence of personal spite,
the advocates of any great re-
form. Not only this, but it Injuries the
cause outright wherever
the temperance people in any county in
the State succeed in defeating the regular
nominee of his party by voting for Gin
or otherwise. Many tenn
perance Republicans who are taking an
active part in the success of their ticket
will become disguised with their brother
men who have been the
means of the defeat of the party nOmi- |
nces, end when their votes are needed in |
1880 they will retaliate by voting against
the constitutional amendment. OIL
course this will be little business, but it
IS "human nature" and in keeping with |
the actions of those who vote against the |
regula. nominees of their party simply |
because they differ on the question Of
Think of these things candidlv, tenn
oerance Republicans. These suggestions
ire not made as threats, nor with the
iesire TO wave the "party LASH" Those
who are in earnest in the support Ofgreat |
should never attempt to sd- |
rance one reform by opposing the advo
Gates of another reform nor should they |
,ver allow personal spite to get the ad
vantage of their better judgment or con-
,rol their actions.