The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-04-27

Constitutional prohibition has been de-
olared, over and over again, by those who adj
vocate the plan of preventing the sale of in
toxicating drinks by law, 10 be their objective
point Indeed, this has been the one great
end which. if their words do not belle them,
they have been DESTROYS Of attaining, and 10
gum which, they have been struggling for
years. Their constant demand has been
that constitutional amendment, prohibiting
the manufacture and sale OF alcoholic bev-
orages, should be submitted to the voters of
this state. OF course the only way this can
be accomplished is by electing a legislature,
two-thirds of whom are favorable TO, and
will vote for such submission. Recognizing
the tact that very large number of the citi-
zeps of Michigan, perhaps majority of
them were in favor of the prohibitory policy,
the republican party, keeping step with the
progressive ideas OF the age, as II always has
done. through its representatives, at the
Kalamazoo State convention. inserted plank
in Us platform demanding a submission of
democratic party lodged this issue; they
Were unwilling even 10 allow the people
chance 10 express their wishes upon the
question. through the ballot box. Naturally,
it might have been presumed that the prohi-
bition party would have cast their influence
and their votes, in favor of a party which
had solemnly pledged itself TO take the first
and most important step that must be taken,
before it is possible to attain legal prohibi-
ton. But no. they did not 10 this, but put
ticket of their own in the field, knowing
thai not man on it could possibly be elect
cd, and on this ticket they threw away votes
enough to defeat, by small majorities enough
republican members OF the legislature TO
have given that body more than the requisite
two-thirds vote, and to have insured the sub
mission of the desired amendment. Many
ardent prohibitionists went TO the polls and
voted the democratic or fusion ticket, know
ing full well at the time that the man they
were voting for, for member Of the Legislature
would, if elected, oppose the very thing for
which they pretended 10 be working, by
oyery means in his power, while his republ-
can opponent, would, if elected. vote for a
Submission of the amendment. The recent
votes in our legislature upon the different
phases of the liquor question which have
been before IT, have fnlly demonstrated the
fact that if this question is not submitted at
the present session, as it probably will not
be, the members of the prohibition party
have themselves, and only themselves to
blame.
Il is well understood by everybody that
the policy and traditions of the democratic
party, have been and are now Numerically
opposed to prohibition of the liquor traffic.
The Detroit Free Press. the organ OF that
party in this state, scarcely prints all issue.
without an argument against submission,
and yet fully knowing all this. many prohi-
bitionists, at the late spring election, repeated
the folly of last fall, by voting the fusion
state ticket, while $4,000 others threw away
their votes on state ticket of their own.
ard thus secured the defeat of party who
had pledged itself to grant what they asked,
and the success of a party which is known
to be bitterly opposed to their ideas
and desires. 1t will be long time indeed,
before our prohibition friends will achieve.
or even merit success, by such a foolish and
inconsistent course as they have pursued in
Michigan at the last two elections