Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-03-19
Tem5etmoe Column.


The proprietors Of the TELEGRAPH hay-
ing allowed me to edit the Temperance
column, are not responsible for any Of the
matter contained therein. So to avoid any
mistake as to the authorship, or to whom
the responsibility belongs, / would say my
friend W. and myself are the only ones up
to this time that have written a word for
this department.
LOCAL OPTION LAw-wIIL IT BE PASSED.
There probably has never been time IN
the history OF the state when so many Pc
titions, signed by so many thousands Of
responsible names, and all aiming at a spe-
ciho object, as has been witnessed in Ohio
for the past two months. 1t is not party
measure, for men belonging TO both the
great parties have signed the petitions for
local option on the basis Of Woman Suffer-
age, on the belief that the best interests of
State, aud the greatest good TO the greatest
number would be best secured by the pas
sage Of such law. Some OF the strongest
ministers Of the state have preached
exhaustive sermons in favor Of the passage
OF such law, and many OF the ablest and
purest women Of the age, by tongue and
pen have issued unanswerable appeals to
the conscience, the judgment and the
Christian sympathies Of the American peO-
pie. Baokof all this labor and toll OF tongue
aud pen, are the prayers Of thousand Of
Gods children, that he will bless all those
inslrumentallties used TO accomplish this
object, and to move upon the hearts OF our
Legislators that they may be constrained
to pass such a law as these petitions de-
scribe, before adjournment.
In the present legislature the Republi-
licans have good working majority, and
this fact led many OF us to have strong
hopes that they would heed the prayers OF
so many thousands and not let the month
OF February pass without decisive ae
tion
These hopes were strengthened when we
called to mind this fact, which is attested
by observation and experience, that all the
legislation in fayor Of Temperance that
amounts to anything in any state in the
Union, since the landing Of the Pilgrims
on Plymouth rock in 1920, down to this
present year of grace, 1880, has been
brought about through the agency of the
Republican party
At least 90 per cent Of the temperance
men OF today are in the Republican party
or have been previously TO then acting with
the Prohibition party. The question now
is, will our Republican Legislature rise
above the trammels Of party, the schemng
policy of mere politicians and place them
selves upon the record rs the party Of pro-
gress in fact, as il is now on theory. | have
them to remember before il is to late to be
Of any avail, that this is representative
government, where the people choose their
rulers, and their law makers, and il is
treading ON dangerous ground to disregard
the express wishes Of even u respectable
minority. | firmly believe that the Tenn
perance voters Of the State will soon be
strong enough to hold the balance Of pol
itical power in Ohio and IL may be we'll
for politicians, who make no move except
dictated by policy, to pause moment and
look the ground over carefully, and see IL
they can afford 10 ALLEVIATE those who, all
other things being equal prefer 10 work in
the Republican party, II by so doing, they
can further the ends Of Temperance. That
the present aspect Of the political situation
in Ohio is understood by some Of the
shrewdest politicians in the Democratic
party, | herewith enclose a portion Of an
Editorial in a leading Democratic newspa-
per in the State.
Listen to the words Of the Cincinatti En-
qutrer, our enemies themselves being
judges.
"'rhe new crusade is what the vigorous
breaking out all over the land is called"
That there is unusual motion, energy and
determination in the matter Of opposition
to the liquor traffic, is too apparent TO es-
cape the observation Of the most obtuse
II is in tne air everywhere. Not n breeze
from any quarter but Is sonorous with the
notes Of preparation, and the voices of the
workers. The women furnish most OF the
agitating force, and IL Is very effectiYe.
The strougholds OF sin must prepare for no
ordinary struggle, or fall with crash that
will make every distillery, brewery and
wine-press in the country tremble. The
two main points sought to be accomplished
by legislature, are local option, and woman
sufferage at such option elections. Give
the women the ballot on such occasions, al
low them to have voice In the question,
whether saloons and beer or wine rooms
where Intoxicating drinks are sold, may or
may not exist, and not drop could "A
thirsty soul. get anywhere in the State,
There is an enTnestness In the new crusade
we have never before witnessed, and II
there are any who think there is not going
to be much OF Il shower after all, they will
fool themselves as completely as did the
scotlers Of Noah and his ark. The signs Of
the coming storm are too apparentfor any
observing mind 10 mistake their meaning
Local option aud women suffrage will be
the inspiring motto Of the new crusaders,
aud the political arena will be made lively
with the shouts OF battle-cry, and activity
OF those who use IL. And it will worry
the political parties and the small politi-
Clans more than any question they have
had for some time to deal with.
Shall We say there is fun or death ahead ?
Eds. Tel-.The sin Of intemperanoe is one
to which all classes Of society are exposed,
and especially the youthful and rising gen
Grafton, Vhey are not accustomed at the