The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-08-01
The Temperance Question in Ohio.

The following editorial from the N. Y.
Independent of July 25th, so clearly ex-
presses our oft-repeated sentiments that
we give it to our readers:
The temperance question is undoubtedly
the one question, which, more than any
other, will determine the results of the ap-
preaching election in Ohio. There are
three parties in the field, each having noni-
mated State ticket. No one for a mo-
ment supposes that the prohibition ticket
will be elected. At the most, it will poll
but few thousand votes; and far the lar
ger part of these votes will be cast by per-
sons who would otherwise vote for the
nominees of the Republican party. The
withdrawal of these votes may be sufficient
to defeat the party and give victory to the
Democrats. The latter are calculating
upon this indirect aid of the political pro-
hibitionists as the means of their own sue
cess, and are thoroughly pleased with the
fact that there is prohibition ticket in
the field; not that they believe in its prin-
ciples, or would support them if in power,
but because they hope that the strength OF
the Republican party will be weakened
thereby, and of course their own chances
of success increased.
1t is this practical view of the question
that has led US to advise all the friends OF
temperance in Ohio, whether prohibition.
lists or not, to give their support to the Re
publican ticket, as on the whole the best
thing they can do for their cause. Wehave
given this advice several times, and we
see no reason to change it. We do so up
on an assumption which We believe to bt
true; and this is that the temperance
cause has much more to hope from Repub
ocrats, if in power. 1t is well known
fact that the liquor interest in Ohio, in
cluding the saloons and the grog-shops, il
thoroughly identified with the Democratic
party, and that, if the party triumphs, thii
interest will largely control its policy
This same interest is bitterly opposed 4
the Republican party, because it embodie
too much OF the temperance theory TO sui
its-purposes. 1t looks upon Democracy a
the rum party, and favors it as such, snC
is not mistaken in its judgment as to tn,
two parties. The difference between tn
two parties, as to their spirit and purpos
on the temperance question, is sufficient u
determine our course, even if there wer'
no other difference to be taken into the &C
count. We believe it to be OF vital impor
tance to the cause of temperance that Dem
ocracy should be defeated in Ohio, ant
that the Republicans should carry the day
We say Republicans, since nobody can b
foolish enough 10 suppose that the prohi
bition ticket in Ohio has the slightes
chance of success. The choice is practi
cally between the Democrats and the Re
publicans; and votes cast for the prohibi
ton ticket are worse than thrown away
since they will contribute to the defeat Q
the only party that has ever done anythin
or ever will do anything for the cause O
temperance in that State.
As to the two amendments to the Const
tuition of Ohio, proposed by Republical
Legislature to the people, one of which in
wolves the principle of prohibition, whil
the other gives the Legislature power t
regulate the liquor traffic by license sy'
tenn, we are heartily in favor of the former
} while at the same time, if we cannot ot
tain it, we are not by any means oppose
to the latter. Prohibition, with an adt
quste public sentiment behind it TO estat
lish and sustain it, we regard as the best c
! all legal remedies for the evils of inten
perance. Without such public sent
ment, it is not practicable remedy; and i
such a condition of things, we believe i
doing the next best thing, which consist
J in imposing restraints upon the liquo
traffic, as has recently been done by tn
high license system adopted in Illinois
and as is done to some extent by taxing th
traffic under the Scott Law in Ohio
Whether we call it license or taxation, tn
fact is that such legislation is one of II
straint upon the business; and so far tn
legislation is good, and certainly much be
ter than free rum, without any restraint.
Prohibitionists make a grave mistak
when they commit themselves to the prC
hibition doctrine, or nothing. We do nc
belong to that school, and never did. PrC
hibition is one remedy, and the best for tn
evil, but not the only remedy; and wher
il is not practicable, as is the fact in thi
State, and In other States, and as we fear
1.-THE fact in Ohio, a stringent license law