New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-23
NcwYork, would neatly illustrate the o'her
end of the combination.
TEMPERANCE AND POLITICS.

TEMPERANCE AND POLITICS.
Some Temperance advocates appear 10 'hinK
that because the National Republican Conven-
ton did not make an issue of the cause they
have At heart il is necessary for them to yindl-
cate their principles by throwing away 'n'',
votes in November. Several prohibition ana
similar organizations are already IN the helu.
One. calling itself the "Amcrlcan party
has held a National Convention ana mas
nominated candidates for the Presidency
and Vice-Prcsidency. The Prombitionlsts
in Illinois and other States are contemplate
ing independent action, and generally t'ere Is
much stir and agitation among such reiOrhlers'
But while it may be admitted that the failure
TO control the National political parties oper-
ates as n temptation to Independent action l, Is
well to consider seriously whether snch ac'ioi
holds out any better hopes. The real reason ol
the indifference of the old parties Is the an
scncc of any marked popular approval OF inc
prohibition programme. If the politicians had
reason TO believe that the masses wanted that
programme. they certainly would not play the
mart of obstruciiOniSts. But so long az there Is
not the necessary public sentiment, Independents
action must be as unsuccessful as action WIFI
either of the old parties; in other words thoSo
who leave the old parties to join new ones nav
ing this special purpose in view, can only lose
their votes.
Now the question is whether this sacrifice Is
likely to be of any use. OF course tine temper
ance element wants to effect something does
not care, presumably, for mere sensational pos
ing. But what good can any purely temper
ancc organization hope to do in Presidential
campaign ? Every one knows that II Will be
swept away, comparatively unnoticcd, ana that
when the vote comes to be counted at the cnd
even the temperance people Themselves Will be
surprised and discouraged to see how far they
were from cxcrting any apprcciable influence
ON the result Those who believe in temper
anco and fully comprehend the extent of the
drink evil, yet who are not prepared to throw
away their votes, are doubtless a majority 81
the aggregate temperance array. These, how
ever, are not attracted or stimulated at all by
the Independent movement. They want to see
something done; they realize that trying to do
too much generally ends in doing nothing;
thrv would like 10 see the temperance to.kS
cent their coat according to their cloth, IN
fact; and they believe that the way TO do
this is 70 proceed by degrees taking advantage
OF every popular concession aud 1"EtitElh@
every foot Of ground wrcs-cd from the enemy
The country cannot be carried tor temper
ance or prohibition by Il comp dtidt; that ut
least all must admit If any real progress Is TO
be madc.it must be won by utilizing local Scnti-
mcnt, and for that purpose nothing so good rs
the so-callrI local option principle has yet been
devised The gains by that method will, 1t Is
true. not be very impressive for some time;
but they will be gains in all probability OF
more permanent character than more scnSa-
iional ones. 1t may be regretted that public
opinion has not yet taken such shape on this
question as would compel the old parties to
make it an issue but it must be pointed cut
clearly that until the general intelligence is
more advanced on the subject it could not be
made q National issue with any hope of sue
cess.
What the friends Of temperance need to
realize is that the people, not the politicians
are answeIable for the slow progress Of the
cause and because this country is demo-
cratcally governed il follows that al indepen-
dent temperance movements will prove abortivc
until public feeling has been changed. And rs
temperance advocates arc as a rule supporters of
good government in all other ways they ought
10 reflect that by wasting their votes upon i'm
possible candidates they are Withdrawing their
aid and c0untenancc from that National Re-
publican party which, whatever its short
comingS, unquest1onably stands for all the best
and most progressive influences represented III
American politics mt the present time.
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