The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-07
POLITICAL TEMPERANCE.


al Temperance reform, was seen yesterday by a
reporter, and an interesting interview had with
him. In answer to personal inquiry as to
his work and record, Mr.. Woodward said:
II signed the w. c. T. T. pledge unsolicited
at the y. N. G. A rooms, in this city, Jan ,,
1871 1 signed it for my own benefit, and en-
tered the public temperance work for my own
strengthening, the following March. When Mrs
D. B. Ross introduced the Red Ribbon work in
this city, Col. J. W. Ray. DR.. L. Albeit and
other representative temperance men of this
city organized at that time the Red Ribbon
State Club" l was IN the local work here until
July IL, following; was then indorsed and ad-
vised by them to extend my labors. The ladies
of the w. G. 7. U. were instrumental in my sal
vation have been almost constantly in the
work. was four months in Kentucky three years
in Illinois, a few weeks in Ohio, and all of the
remainder of the time in this State-or
about four years Ny history previous to 1877 is
book of lights and shadows that seldom open
in public, or privately, reformed
man should burn the bridges be-
hind him and think only OF the
brighter goal ahead. OF my temperance record
| can say. without egotism, that am proud and
highly gratifed to know thatmy labors have not
been in vain. There pointing to letters ona table
is my written record as a Temperance worker, in
credentials and letters Of commendation rendered
me by the clergy and leading citizens of the var
ious cities and towns in which l have laborcd
They are open to public inspection"
DO you find the press generally favorable to
the temperance work and the workers.
Il have received universal courtesy from the
press, with very few exceptions and that few
were of that class of journals whose compliments
would have been a curse rather than a bless
ing"
Have you read and studied the temperance
question, regards the work in this State polit-
ieally!
Yes; it has occupied my mind most of the
time for months, and regret the situation"
DO you indorse the 'SAiel partyF"
Most emphaticafly l do mott l consider it an
unwise. injudicious and uncalled for movement
Endorsed only by small minority of the temper
ance voters of the State pronounced against
the movement soon after their nominations were
made; but when | came to this city, a few days
SINCE was fully determined to visit all the
workers Of BOTH and all factions of the temper.
ance people, and was as fully determined to
change my views if l became convinced that |
was in error. Ihave fattered myself that | had
many strong personal friends in the Shiel
party; also, in that element called 'Scratchers
and among the straight Republicans. Iinyesti-
gated the subject honestly and conscicntiousy
L went to hear John p St John, and others
and the point made at that time and on every
other occasou-fOr | can discover but one point
that any of their speakers do make, is this
principle, and that principle to Witty
abuse and defeat, if possible, the Re
publican party, and hurl anathemas
at honest temperance people who do not choose
to act and vote with them, and thereby practi-
caily indOrse the Democratic whisky platform
Whom the gods would destroy they first
make mad And man must be mad who will
hynena-like, lacerate the hand that has fed him
The great (!) John ?. st. John owes to
the Republican party debt of
gratitude that he can never repay;
for that party raised him from the obscurity OF
a village lawyer to the exalted position of Gov
ernor of the State of Kansas twice
then foolishly lost the State by
renominating him for third term.
And now ne becomes the base migrate, and does
al in his power to defeat his benefactors.'
''Wil you permit me to give publicity to your
expressions through the columns of one of the
city papersl'
YES, sir, for feel that I am speaking truth,
and defending the majority of the people of In
diana; and that majority are to be found in the
Republican party.
Are you on friendly terms with Mr. NJ E.
SHELF
Mr. Shiel and myself have been strong per
sonal friends for more than seven years. !
know of no breach in that friedship'
DO you believe that he received 80, 600
names of voters to make the call of a nominal
ing convention
'He might have received that number of
names. but the canvassers might have obtained
them from the tombstones in the many grave
yards and cemeteries of the State
How will this separate party action affect
the temperance revival workl'
1T has already ruined it. The State Christ
ian Temperance Union is now a political or
ganzation. 1t mas called conventions for DO
litical purposes. At their next con
vention they will endeavor to indorse the
Shiel party and the ticket, there is no doubt.
The c. Il. u. is usually called the Blue Ribbon
or Murphy movement Francis Murphy was
Hoo &c
perance Union, and the first president of it. 1t
was organized as reformatory and educational
institution All the State unions are auXiliaries
and subservent to the national union. From
Francis Murphy down to us lesserhghts we have
always, when inaugurating the work, and at
each meeting, declared that in this movement
there was no politics and nothing sectarian. d.
B. Ross, James NJ. Dunn and all other workers
have always made these assertions, when urging
people to sign the pledge. But now some
of these men have, i'll the name of the
Christian Temperance Union, called political
conventions, and now rise up to call all who do
not fall into the ranks of the separate party
moral towards, who love party more than they
do God ana home. The majority of these men
claim to be Christians, and make long prayers
and political speeches on the Lords day For
my part consider game of base ball a lesser
sin than throwing campaign mud at honest PEG
pie for their conscientious opinions
''Will you express your opinion of the charac-
tiers of some of the principal leaders of this sep
arate partyl<
No, sir. For it matters little whether Ben
son is a 'monomaniac, ,Grii1ice dude, Pink
ham crank, Carter a fraud, or Shiel ON the
SELL Abuse is never argument; although
it seems to be the entire stock in trade of the
separate party. l regret very much that men
and women who have stood together, shoulder to
shoulder heart to heart, and hand to hand in
such grand work, should become separated and
arrayed against each other one party giving aid
ana comfort to the enemy; for this separate
party action gives the rum-power more hope
and joy than anything that has ever occurred in
the history of the temperance work.
''Will you remain in the revival work.
81 do not expect to work again under the aus
pieces of the c. Y. U. or any other political or
ganization But | am willing to work wherever
called, in the gospel temperance work. ignoring
all the political phases"
..NInt. l nsk uhat rnrt, 1icLnt ,-n.1 will ,.ntn