The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-06
THE TEMPERANCE COUNCIL.
Resolutions Adopted Looking to In
dependent Action.
Vigorous Arraignment of the Two Parties
for Alleged Failure to Legislate
Against Intemperance.

cduS- M iue directors OF the Union may Or0er.
The incorporation of the organization is in ac-
cordance with system which has been inaugu-
rated by temperance associations in Michigan,
Nebraska and Iowa, and has worked successful
ly- During the morning stock to the amount of
$500 was subscribed by the delegates present.
and subscriptions will be solicited throughout
the State by subordinate temperance unions.
Resolutions were adopted declaring that "we
as represen tatives of the great mass OF temper
ance people in the State of Indiana, in conven-
ton assembled, do declare mistaken conf
dence In our friend and co-laborer Mrs. Cougar
as pure and earnest woman, and extend to her
our earnest sympathy and support in the bitter
persecution through which she is passing. AS
every great reform must have it's martyrs SO
we recognize her the victim of the malice of
the base elements which represent the saloons
OF the country, who have nothing but hatred for
all that would protect womanhood and the
home, and pray that God may give her grace
and health and strength to come forth from this
fiery ordeal only to renew the battle she has 80
nobly waged in the past" The reports OF the
trial by the Lafayette newspapers and "that
portion of the press OF the State that have uni
formly so colored and distorted the evidence in
the case as to appear unduly unfriendly to Mrs.
Cougar, receives our unqualified denunciation."
The following was also adopted:
Resolved, That such of us as are voters will
hereafter vote only for such men known
TO be In favor of prohibition"
resolution to the effect that the temperance
men should attend the primary meetings of
their respective political parties and use their
influence for the nomination of temperance men
only was laid on the table.
During the morning speeches were made by a
number of leaders in the cause, and the expires
sion was in favor of independent action, with a
determination not to allow their ardor to weak
en-, Rev; Pinkham, of Iowa, in the conrse of a
brief address, alluded to Senator Window, of
minnesota, as the man who ought to be the next
President of the United States, and gave it as
his opinion that he was man whom the tenn
perance people could unite in supporting. The
remark mad the effect to elicit prompt and en-
thuslastic applause. The Union adjourned at
noon.
In the afternoon the State Temperance Grand
Council began its session in the Third Presby-
terrain Church. After the address by the presi-
dent, which recommended advance movements,
especially in voting only for such candidates. as
are prohibitionists, the following were appointed
a committee on resolutions: j. n. Huston, Isaac
keene, VIM; Edgerton, j. b. Conner, E. f. Rit-
ter, W. Fl. Tranmel and G. s. DobDins. Hon j.
n Huston, of Fayette, addressed the convention
in few brief remarks the tenor of which was
that the way to secure prohibtio Is to vote
only for prohibitionists, and thus make their
wishes respected
reports, which were duly referred to the proper
committees. The name of the organization was
ny ar almost unanimous vote changed from
State Temperance Council to 1.-The Indiana Pro-
hlbitiOn Council"
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The committee on resolutions reported the fol-
lowing, which were adopted:
Ever since the State of Indiana has had an ex-
tstence her people have begged for relief from
the evil effects arising from the traffic in strong
drink. In response the Legislature at every ses- |
sion, with few exceptions, has enacted some
intended restrictions, and, some sessions |
numerous laws have been passed relating to this |
subject so that all told, general and local acts
numbering more than $50 have been tested |
The solemn admissions of the failure of these acts
are made matters of record by their repeal. The |
existence of such statutes has generally been |
measured by the interval between sessions of |
the Legislature. 1t is part of the history OF |
Indiana, telling the same monotonous story on |
every page, that statutory regulation upon the |
sale of intoxicating liquors has not regulated
This business has been fostered and protected |
by such legislation until it has prospered to an |
alarming degree. and has become a concentrated |
power of fearful dimensions. For more than |
twenty years, with the exception in the Baxter |
law, this business has gradually but steadily Sc |
cured legislation more and more favorable to its |
interest The present law, passed in 1875 was |
specially prepared to suit the convenience and |
protect the tricks of this trade. The law will |
stand and defy the good citizens OF our State |
and all Innovations for the unprecedented Pc |
Rod of at least a decade
This fact most forcibly illustrates the power |
and control the business has secured over po- |
litical and legislative affairs. The petitions of
the people are disregarded the welfare of So |
ciety is ignored, and the cry of DISTRESS is |
Knocked The traffic has the combined strength |
OF fabulous profits, reckless contributions, won
ailures the avarclous, brides the corrupt in |
tinlidates the weak, and is the master OF all po
litieal demagcgues.
The present Indications are that the leaders of |
one of the strong poltal parties In State will
force their organization to march after the ban
ner or the Liquor League in the next campaign, |
and that the leaders of the other great party |
have determined that the temperance question |
shall he ignored
inspiring voice from the great spirit of our cause
commanding us to work out our own salvation
without fear or trembling,
The pronOsitiOn to keep the temperanc e Ques-
tiOn out OF politics contemplate nothing
short of absolute surrender to the liquor league
of all claims further legislation upon this snb-
ject, and consent that the present law shall be-
come a dead letter. and that the Sabbath shall
be abandoned to unbridled dissipation.
Licensed regulation has been fairly tested in
this State. The very numerous statutory ex-
periments, the short existence of each. and the
inability to secure any effective amendments TO
existing, but important, acts admissions
that the whole system has been failure; that
the theory is false and unsupported by any
fundamental principle of good government
In 1858 the Legislature passed a prohibitory
law. For the few months of its existence 1t made
the best record of any statute preceding or fol-
lowing it. As proof or its good works in city
and town, in the village and the country, we
cite the facts stated in the Indianapolis Journal,
Sentinel and Locomotive, and newspapers of
that period generally, all over the State and
call upon the thousands of living witnesses.
Our history, experience, observation and the
Inherent nature of things convince us that the
only law that can prohibit is "a prohibitory law;
therefore,
"Resolved That, while we, as ever, are deter
mined to reach constitutional prohibition, id the
meantime we will use every effort to enforce
rigidly, the law the subject now, or those
which may hereafter, be enacted, restrictive of
of the traffic"
THE EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was held under very pro-
voking disadvantages, the gas, for some uu-
known reason, failing to furnish light, and the
meeting was, in consequence. held in darkness.
DR.. Gerrish, president of the council, in brief
address to the delegates relative to the work be-
fore them during the next year, said that he re-
garded the question OF temperance of more i'm
portance than the questions of tariff or civil
service reform. He urged them to stand firmly