The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-05-27

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The facility with which the Republic
an party in its quest for spoils can adapt
Itself to every varying phase of politics
and ally itself with any faction is
cause of ceaseless wonder and admira-
ton. The party had not the least
trouble in encouraging the alliance with
Mahone's regulators in Virginia while
Boosting of its devotion to the cause Of
public credit elsewhere. In Mississippi
the Republicans fused with the Green
hackers in the last election, while loud
ly protesting to detest the financial
policy of this hare-brained faction. In
California the party demands that the
Chinese must be excluded by legisla-
ton, while the Republicans of New
England denounce such legislation as
illiberal, anti-republican and brutal.
Thus the party turns to give its well
come and embrace to every faction that
affords promise of votes. But it
would hardly be supposed that the Re-
publican party which is identical with
the liquor prohibitionists in Maino
should in pursuing the same spoils pol
icy become by "a caLtrip slight" the
party of free and unlimited whisky.
Such is nevertheless the fact. In North
Carolina in order to promote the cause
of God and morality, as is its divine mis-
sion, it is the ally of rum.
The manner in which the alliance be-
tween Republicanism and whisky in
North Carolina has been brought about
is told with much JUNCTION by CORES
spondent of the Tribune. In response
to the noisy demands of tho so-called
Temperance element" of the State the
Legislature, containing three-fourths
Democratic majority, was constrained
to pass a Prohibitory Liquor bill and
submit it to the people for ratification.
This bill made it a misdemeanor, pun
ishable by fine and Imprisonment, to
manufacture, buy or sell spirituous or
malt liquors, wine or cider, within tho
territory of North Carolina, but limited
sales were permitted under stringent
regulations for medical, mechanical and
medicinal purposes. When this bill
was submitted to the people the Repub-
lican leaders saw their opportunity in
opposing it. They were somewhat
backward at first, inasmuch as it was
well known that the passage of the bill
was mainly due to their persistent out
cries. But they soon overcame their
diffidence and the Republican State
Committee issued an address assailing
the measure as ian invasion of popular
rights" A large majority of the Dem
ocrats were opposed to the bill and the
Republicans had no difficulty in per-
suading their colored followers of its
oppressive nature. Anti-prohibition Or
CARNATIONS were formed by the Demo-
Gratis in all parts of the State, and as the
result of the campaign the Liquor bill was
defeated by majority of lis, 900 votes.
The Republicans Of North Carolina
having converted themselves into an
anti-prohibitory liquor party cannot es-
cape from the position in which they
have placed themselves, and are re-
solved to make the most of it at the
coming election. Though the liquor
question has been temporarily disposed
of by the treason of the Republican
leaders to the cause which they at first
eagerly encouraged they intend to form
a coalition with the anti-prohibition
Democrats. This year North Carolina
elects Supreme Judge, four Supreme
Court Judges, Members of Congress,
and a Legislature. 1t is proposed that
the Republicans and anti-prohibition
Democrats unite for the nomination and
election of all these officers. AS free
and unlimited whisky is the basis of this
new and beautiful coalition, its name
will be that of Liberals" In each
Congressional district the regular Demo-
cratic candidate will be opposed by a
Liberal" supported by Republican
votes. Thus far most of the moving has
been done by the Republicans. the
Democrats naturally feeling ashamed of
such a coalition. But as has been
shown in Virginia and elsewhere the
Republicans will balk at no combination
that gives them q promise of success.
In Virginia they are Readjusters, in
Mississippi Greenbackers. in California
anti-C Chinese, in Iowa tariff reformers,
in Maine liquor prohibitionists, and in
North Carolina they turn up as the
advocates of free whisky and equal
rights. -Harisbarg (Pa.) Patriot.