The Press., 1883-10-25
Crank Leslies Illustrated Newspaper.) THE ELECTION IN OHIO.

THE ELECTION IN OHIO.
 It is scarcely too much to say that the triumph of the democratic party in Ohio is almost if not quite without significance so far as national issues are concerned The one question which, above all others, determined the result was that of temper ance: and the champions of an unrestrair- ed liquor traffic, marching unitedly and solidly under ths democratic flag, have won a victory over the party which, upon that important issue, is divided in opinions. The republican party in Ohio, though not in favor of prohibition, is for putting tle liquor traffic under regulations so-stringel that the great body of on-keepers and their patrons, whatever in other respects may be their political affiliations, have been driven in self-defense to set them- selves Tn array against it, And 8 aformida- ble array 1t is, to be sure, when 1t presents itself as the right wing of a party other wise strongly intrenched in ancient tradi- tions, prejudices aud convictions
 It is simply a historic truth that, what ever in any state of this Union has been done by way of legislation to restrict the liquor traffic since 1856 has been done by of prohibition, though a minority almost everywhere, belong generally to that par. ty. Whenever, therefore, the prohibition ists have chosen to nominate candidates of their own, the effect has been, by dividing g the republicans and strengthening the democratic party, to play directly into the hands of the liquor dealers. In othel words, the cause of free rum has found Its most efficient allies in the zealous friends of temperance, who, being unable to force the republican party on to the ground of prohibition, in opposition to its honest convictions, have frequently chosen to aid in sweeping away all restrictions whatever upon the sale of intoxicating drinks. This is just what has now happened in Ohio The republicans there went to the full ex- tent of their constitutional power in the enactment of what is known as the Scott law, which put tax upon the saloons st heavy as to close vast number of them and compel the rest to furnish revenue relieving the people of taxation to the amount of more than g. ,000, 600 annually Having done this, they also submitted to the people prohibitory amendment to the Constitution, thus giving them an oppor- necessary foundation for dealing even more sternly with the traffic which is so fearful 8 source of pauperism and crime ,,.
 One would have thought that the friends of prohibition, while rallying to the SUD- port of the proposed constitutional amend ment, would have been inclined to so cast their votes as to keep in power the party that had aided them thus far-the party, moreover, to which most of them have hitherto belonged, and which Is entiral re- sponslve to public opinion upon this sub ject. But their course has been exactly the reverse of this. By nominating candidates of their own they diverted, it is supposed, from fifteen to twenty thousand votes from the republicans, thus insuring the triumph of the party hostile alike to prohibition and the Scott law. Like the man in tree, who sawed off the limb on which the weight of his own body hung, and broke his neck by falling to the earth, they have driven from power the party most thor oughly imbued with temperance princi ples and given the liquor dealers the very triumph they sought. Was there ever a, sadder exhibition of human folly on the part of men who really have at heart the welfare of the state?
 The vote ln favor of the prohibitory amendment in Ohio is heavy, but the latest reports show very decided majority against it. But suppose it is adopted. what then? Is a democratic legislature likely 10 adopt the legislation necessary for it's enforcement? Everybody knows there is not the slightest chance of this. But if republican governor and legisla- ture had been chosen, the voice of the peo- pie on this subject would have been re- spected and an effort made in good faith to adjust Legislation to the new circum sta ices. As it is, the friends of temper anee have got themselves into slough and must get out as they can. They will, most probably, have to do their work all over again under conditions most unfayorable. | The distrust of prohibitory Legislation re- mains as strong as ever, and will not be 1 diminished by the unrestricted flow of | rum. Thousands upon thousands of sin cere temperance men verify believe that | the liquor traffic, no more than profane swearing, can be stopped by constitutional | amendments and statutes, and that the at l tempt to accomplish the object by such means will prove sorry farce. They be- | l1eve. moreover, that nothing can be more 1 than the presence upon the statute book of laws which public senti- ] ment does not enforce. :ga7 5Fle I
 In saying these things we are not mak- 1 ing plea for the republican narty in if. !, self, but exposing the folly of those who, while agreeing with it in its general prin, l clples and policy, forsake it because it is not prohlbftory party, thereby sacrificing other great Interests and helping to make general jubilee all over the country for the | of sound morals and social order F