National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-17
North Cnrnlinn Politics.

For the prohibitory bill, which was then
submitted to the people and overwhelm-
ingly defeated, the Democratic party was
responsible, because it controlled the
Legislature. Nevertheless the bill re-
ceived the votes of some Republicans,
who took it as being in the direction of
their views, although they did not APP
prove its terms. Some members of the
Republican State Central Committee
thought it grand chance to divide the
Democracy, and accordingly urged a
union of all Republicans with the anti
prohibition Democrats at the election.
Other members of that committee OPP
posed such action, and, with some thou
sands of Republicans (variously estimated
from four to twenty thousand), supported
the so-called prohibitory law. The anti
Prohibitionists prevailed by a majority of
10000, leaving no vestige of an issue TO
be settled. The prohibition Republicans
recognize that their views are not ac-
ceptable 10 enough of the people to make
it duty TO urge them any further. The
prohibition Democrats are maneuvering
for a reforming of the Democratic lines.
The anti-prohibition Democrats who are
Bourbon straight" will readily affiliate
again with the prohibition Democrats, who
were much more hostile to the Republic
can internal revenue officials and en-
ployes and their political influence than
they were to the manufacture, sale, or
use of the ardent. The anti-prohibition
Democrats who are not Bourbon straight
would be glad to aid in the defeat of the
Bourbon Demo cracy. Their number is
estimated by the anti-prohibition Re-
publican leaders by the thousands,
but by the prohibition Republi-
cans as less than thousand. The
anti-prohibition Republican leaders have
before them the delicate task of harmon
izing the Republican prohibitionists with
the Democratic anti-prohibitionists, and
failing in that they will have to decide
with which they will affiliate. The
rightfulness of decision on this question
will depend upon the conduct of the
respective Republican wings. We regret
to be obliged to say that the disposition
is still manifested by some of each to
| force a rupture rather than be overruled
at any point. The leaders of both sides
have agreed, not with each other, but
with mutual friends, upon the following
points,
l. That the Republican party is to
make nominations through q regularly
called State convention of delegates duly
chosen by recognized party methods.
.. That the question of prohibition
shall be left out Of the platform and con-
vention proceedings.
5. That the Republican party will 60
to any length not inconsistent with its
principles to render available, for the de-
feat of Bourbonism, the aid Of Democrats
who are in favor of fair elections, free
schools, and self-government in the
counties.
Those anti-prohibition Republicans
who aid in manipulating the anti-pro
hibition general committee have made
a mistake in having n convention called
by that committee, to be held prior to the
State convention oftheir own party, unless
the purpose of the Independent conven
ton shall be to appoint a committee uiH
pouer to act after The Republican nominations
shall be made. We can see great good thai
would follow if the anti-prohibitior
convention should declare the Liquor
question q dead issue, and the
name of its party meaningless, anc
should then adopt a ringing declaration
of independence, embracing an indict
| oc g., 4.
intolerance, debauchery ofthe ballot-box
and Capitalization of power by the Legis.
lature at the expense of the right of the
people of all parties to local self-govern.
ment. A strong State committee ap,
pointed by q body uttering such senti
ments, and called an Independent ,
instead of nm "anti-prohibition com
mittee, would be courted by all wise
counselors in the Republican party
When the Republican State Convention
assembled there would be general de-
sire in all elements of that body tc
make ticket and adopt a platform
which the Independents could heartily
support. But if an anti-prohibtior
convention were to nominate in advance
ticket, or candidate for any position
with view to compelling the acquies
cence of the Republican State Conven
ton, the scheme would be pretty certain
to miscarry, and leave the Republican,
who had promoted it in bad predica
ment. If the Liberals are wise they will
succeed in carrying the Republican Con
vention, because they will make pro
positions to oppose which would be evi
IDENTIFY playing into the hands of tn
Bourbons. There would be no room 70
opposition TO such plan as we hav
above indicated. We hope, therefore, t.
see the anti-prohibition convention o
June bury the liquor question, give thu
Liberal movement new name, declare
its purposes, appoint a safe and pruden
State committee, and adjourn. Such may
be the objects for which it was called
We do not know. If such is its action
the probability ofco-operation,i in separat,
organizations, upon one ticket in oppo
sition to Bourbonism will be greatly en-
, HANGED. Agreement on essential prin
ciples will create tendency to uniol
which no leaders can restrain.
"a -s---
OLD MASSEY, who tried to lead tn
n Virginia Readjusters in cutting down til
i State debt to twelve millions, is trying
n make the confederate soldiers of Virgini
V | lol;o,,a tbo RDurbon s1oular obout NJ,