The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-04-03

that too much attention was paid to the So
curing legal enactments, and not enough to
the strengthening of public sentiment and
the arousing of public conscience.
II would be useless to attempt to build
dam across the rapids of Mag
ara without lessening the volume and
force of its waters; it is equally as vain
to attempt to build legal barriers across
the mighty stream of intemperance before
you diminish the volume and strength of its
current. Legislation, when sound, is the re-
suit of reformation, rather than the means
of reform.
To ask for more stringent laws while the
present ones are so nearly dead letters on the
statute books is not wise. Weshould create O
public sentiment strong enoughto enforce such
laws as we now have-a sentiment which
will compel policemen to arrest, attorneys TO
prosecute, juries to convict, judges to sem
tence and governors to leave unpardoned the
open, fragrant violators of such liquor laws
as we now possess. When public sentiment
is thus awakened, we can profitably con-
slider what further and better legislation is
demanded.
The first thing then to be accomplished is
to awaken public conscience; to correct, in
struct and strengthen public sentiment so
that il shall not only endure, but demand,
the enforcement of the present laws.
In assuming this ground the republican
party has not assumed q position antagon-
istic to the advancement Of temperance, but
a position where it can put legal ratchet
upon the temperance wheel as it moves for
ward, and thus prevent it from going back
ward.
Now in all things the question of ways
means is to be considered, as well as the end
to be secured. The question, then, before
the public il not, do we want the liquor
traffic suppressed-all good men are agreed
as to that-but, what are the best means and
agencies to be used in realizing the end de-
sired. The formation of distinct and in
dependent party from the temperance ele-
ment seems to be warmly advocated by many
prohibitionists, but would the end sought be
attained through such an fundamentally?
We think not; first. because the formation
of prohibition party does not weaken the
forces of the democratic party, while
it does those of the only party that has leg
islated In favor of the restriction of the rum
power and the submission of a constitutional
amendment to the people: second, the result
of such course is In harmony with the
wishes of that party whose political training
schools are the saloons, in as much as it
contributes to its success and defeats that of
temperance.
While the creed of the republican party
may not be all that could be desired yet the
hope of prohibition lies in the supremacy
of that party, and for the following, among
other reasons; first, it has for twenty-four
years been the only progressive and reform
party of the country; second 1t has faithfully
redeemed every promise made; third, il has
enacted nearly all, if not all the prohibit
tory laws which are enforce to-day; fourth,
it carries with it tho intelligence and moral
ity of the country, hence is i'll sympathy with
everything which elevates manhood and pro-
notes good government.