The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-09

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Jouns1;
Much is being said about prohibition, and
much abuse has been heaped upon the heads of
the temperance men of Ohio Now, sir, if the
readers OF the journal will refer to article
written by your correspondent some months
since they will find if am not much mistaken,
that the predictions therein made have been
verified, and that the policy therein advocated
is correct. What the country needs at this
time, and what the lovers of temper
ance, order, and Republican institutions must
at once attend to- is that the Liquor Beague be
defeated not wholly because il is opposed to pro-
hibition, but because such an Organization Is
dangerous to the liberties of the people. This
organization has no policy other than the de-
Tense Of their own pecuniary interest Would it
be in harmony with the public good for other
business men to organize for the purpose of
voting down any political party that would not
recognize their right to make money at the ex-
pense of public morals, to violate any law in
conflict with their traffic and control the legisla
tion of the country2 Would not such division
OF the people into parties for such pur-
pose soou result in anarchy and disrupt
our institutional This liquor organization
presumes TO have rights not belonging TO other
business transactions, and the members openly
defy the laws of the country. They care moth
ing for great questions of State and national
policy. The only question they ask is, "Are you
opposed to restraining in any way and to any
degree the manufacture and sale OF Intoxicating
drinks2'
We need and must have an anti-liquor league,
that an organization so dangerous may be over
come and not permitted to do as they have been
doing, elect to office men who pledged to
their policy.
The number of voters who will oppose such
league is overwhelming am satisfied that no
other pledge would or should be asked
of any party than opposition to this
ORGANIZATION which spends thousands of dollars
during each campaign to elevate their pledged
friends to Off ce. No man can publicly advocate
the interest of such an organisation. The party
that makes open war on it takes q position
impregnable as the DEGREES of eternal justice.
when this league ia hushed forever IN the
silence of past follies the question of temper
ance will be out or politics, and public senti
iHent can procure such restraints may lie re-
quired to stay the march of intern pefaDce; until
this is done all attempts, in my opinion, will be
futile. There is too much money in an unre
strained liquor traffic for those oppose at the
ballot box who fight with principle alone against
IN ouey and the alluring influence of intoxicants.
Let those who think differently LOOK back
through the long struggle the friends of temper
aRce have passed. and recall the many defeats
they have met. The people are determined to
night this traffic in the same way, any many diff
ferenees of opinion exist as to the manner Of
conducting the warfare and the extent to which
The traffic should be restrained. But no differ
ence of opinion well exist outside of the
Liquor League as to the dangerous tendency of
such an organization. Then let MS have our
anti-quOr league, aud let temperance and pro-
hioftOn take care of themselves, which they
unqnestiOnably will. j. w. HERyEY,