Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-09-21
A Test OF Sincerity.

The temperance prohibltionists in
b their propaganda lay down the PROPOSE
ton thatthe best interests Of society and
the state demand that the use of intoXi-
eating liquors should be prohibited by
law. In support of this proposition
they have organized a prohibition party
in lhe stale. The aim Of this party, rs
laid down By the leaders, is to engraft
upon the constitution of the state a pro-
hibitory amendment. The constitution
provides that the first step in obtaining
ain amendment to that document is the
passage of the amendment by two legis-
laturcs after which it is submitted to the
people who accept or refuse it. Obvious
w then if the advocates Of prohibition
were animated by the single motive of
sccuringa prohibition amendment they
would unite their forces and secure the
election Of such members of the legis-
lature as would favor the submission of
the question of amendment to the people.
Certainly this would be the most direct
course for attaining their end. If the
professors of the new faith were actu-
atcd only 10y the singleness of purpose
they profess this would obviously be
their only proper and consistent course.
On the contrary, however, we find
them interfering more with the ques-
ton Of state and national politics than
with the affairs of districts, where alone
they can hope to succeed. What assist
ancc is it to the solution of the question
of prohibition in the state of Wisconsin
whether one man or smother is governor
Of the state, or which of two antagonists
is nominated and elected as congress
man in any of the districts of the state.
Neither the one or the other can bring
prohibition one day nearer. The law
says that the Legislature shall take the
first step for or against prohibition. To
the members OF that body alone can
they turn for any assistance in further
ing the end they have in view.
When therefore we see the leaders of
this party sacrificing principle to Office
and ~endeayoring to make of their or
%ganization a political engine to butt
some foe off the track or some friend on,
the suspicion, rs stated by u prominent
journal recently, ARISES in the mind of
the thinking public that possibly their
motives may not be altogether 50 disin-
tcrested rs they would have us believe.
However much truth there may be in
these assumptions or, on the other hand
however mistaken W. may be, the fact
remains. that such action is weakening
the temperance strength and averting
the accomplishment of that end which
the rank aud file of the temperance
people have SO much at heart.
1t is but natural that demagogucs
should spring up in every party. lis
tory shows that new parties offer cxcep-
ttnuaIlN tempting balt Tor inns class, nut
it Is doubtful if those who form the back
bone aud sincw Of this party will allow
themselves to he diverted from the
straight but narrow path which leads to
siccess by any desire on tue part of
would be leaders to ccu = prominence
which they could never reach under or
diulry circumstances; or suffer their
eye. to De 50 dalllcd 10y the glitter Of
>pail- ~ to obscure their sight as to the
oue prime object Of their organization.
The legislature alone is where they can
hope to- score a success and the earnest
mes, with which they seek to secure a
majority Of the members Of this body
viii test the sincerity OF their purposes.