Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-28
From the Lewiston Journal
The Temperance Convention.

The Temperance Convention.
The fusion papers are exasgerating the i'm
portance of differences of opinion which pre-
vailed at the special meeting of the State
temperance society at Augusta on Ihursoay'
and arc chuckIing over them as though they
xould materially contribute TO fusion sue
cess. The result will show that they are
counting without their host
There were a number OF temperance men
in the convention who are and have been for
several wears in favor of distinct prohlbl-
tory partv. After an earnest debate. the con-
vention voted four 10 one against the propo-
sition The feeling of the great BODY OF tenn
perance men in This State is that such a new
party wonld divide and weaken the temper
ance r.cr of this State. As il has in NaSsachu-
sets. ard iniure Instead of advance the tenn
paranre sa,iSr They feel that the republic
can party in Maine, in most parts Of the State
controlled Nv temperance men. comes as near
being temperance party rs anv new organl-
cation would be likely to be. while its strength
would be inadequate. They say that the tenn
perance men owe 20 the republicans all the
prohibitorv laws they now have. and what"
ever measure of enforcement they have had
and are having. They think il would beun-
wise to. throw away these advantages. and
place the State in the hands of-men who are
very generally opposed TO prohibition. There
are of course, some thoroughly honest tenn
perance men who think that a new party with
only one idea-that of temperance-can sue
ceed and accomplish more for temperance in
this wav than any other: but four ont of FIVE
temperance men state different view. The
hope of the fnsionists and anti-temperance
men that enough temperance republicans
will go into a new movement. to give sue
cess to the fusionists, is not likely 10 be real
lied.
There was considerable discussion in the
convention over resolution conlemning Gov.
Davis for his course in appointing constables
under the act of last wear. and recommending
temperance men to vote against him. The
convention was entirely united in affirming
the principle that temperance men can sup
port no candidate for Governor who is not
sincerely in favor of prohibition and its hon
est enforcement: but the majority felt that
the attempt to declare that Governor Davis
does not come up to their standard would be
hastv unwise, unwarranted and without full
know ledge of the facts. The majority felt
that Gov. Davis is not only prohibtionist
but also earnestly DESTROYS to do all IN his
power to aid in the enforcement of the law
in those sections in which the local officers
and sheriffs fail tn do their duty; and that it
was but fair to him and important TO the
cause of temperance, that so important ac
ton as this should not be taken prematurely
and unadvisedly. They sought to whitewash
no one: to apologize for no one: to counsel
no one to vote for any candidate untrue to
the cause. But they believed that time
would show that the complaints against Gov
Davis ware cnuSaI by
and that he would do his duty faithfully. We
have no doubt of Gov. Davis purpose to do
eyeryth .ng in his power in this direction.
There is an effort on the part of some cum
ming fusion leaders to draw temperance men
from the republican party, by creating the
impression that the party is hostile to intern
perance. They cannot charge that the re-
publican party has denied any reasonable re-
quest for prohibitory legislation. for the re-
verse is true. They must admit that all the
enforcement that we have had Of prohibition.
with single exception. has been through re-
publican officials. All that can be said is
that the republican municipal officers of Il
few cities and perhaps one two republi-
can sheriffs. have not done their full duty
The rule has been fidelity. Unfaithfulness
has been the exception, and that mainly in a
few cities where the strength of the local an
ti-temperance sentiment. and the bitter OPP
position of the democratic party to enforce
ment has had ts miscellaneous effect on re-
puhlicans.
But with democratic officials the almost in
variable rule has been to not enforce the law.
Indeed the looseness in PenobScot county, Is
due to the fact that the republicans who had
enforced the law faithfully. through the sher-
if. were defeated by the fusionists in 1873,
and a sheriff elected who refuses to lift his
finger to enforce the the law. There is not
a democratic sheriff or mayor in the State
who does anything to enforce the law. In
this state of affairs. we ask candid temper
ance men what would be the result to the
cause of temperance if the democrats should
be fully seated in power in Maine, We COM
plain justly of the condition of Penobscot.
More than this. The law itself would be re-
pealed within five years, and license sustitut-
ed
We do not claim that the republican party
is perfect in this respect Perfection does
not attach to humanity. We simply claim
that it has done more and is doing more for
the the cause of temperance than any other
party has DONE or could have done: and that
in due time. acting through it. the temper
ance men of Maine can come nearer the re-
alzation of their wishes than through any
other existing, or probable party organiza-
ton.