The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-24

the South, and yet, in the late ma
tional Republican convention at Chi
cago, not delegate from one of those
ten States had dared to sign minority report
on the liquor question, and it was the same in
the Democratic convention. Thus. all the Re
publican and Democratic prohibitionists were
bound as serfs of the liquor power under the
lash of their party keepers. When the Women's
Christian Temperance Union, represented by its
honored and most worthy head, Miss Frances
Willard, stood at the door Of the Republican ma
homes, it was treated with silent contempt
What could moro wildly illustrate the abject
servility of that party to the liquor power, and
its perfidy to it's own pledges2
The anti-slavery convention of 1852 and the
prohibition convention of 1884 differed in one
important respect The first ushered in poiti-
cal party triumph, followed by civil war; this
convention came to proclaim the glorious gospel
of peace; its mission was a reunion of the re-
public, not in mere form, but, in fact, in truth
in the hearts of all the people. AS first and
indispensable step to that reunion. there must
be total abolition of the two political parties
1t was of no consequence which of them went
first to the grave; they and their master the
liquor power should be quickly buried. Ap-
plause.l Year after year the war between the
two great political parties was prolonged.
Through all these many years the cry from the
hearts of all the people, of all the churches. had
been for new party of peace and progress.
The prohibition party was called into being
to meet that cry 1t proelaims a policy which is
hound to unity all religion and moral force.
Prohibition was civil liberty against crime.
License was personal liberty for crime. The air
was tranced with the spirits of the illustrious
founders, patriots and sages of the Republic, APP
pealing to them to forward this mighty cause.
From all the battle-felds Of the nation white
winged angels rose to bear their banners from
the million graves of its martyred heroes and
from unnumbered millions of dark, sad graves
of those who had been murdered by the liquor
crime, pale hands were rising to point the way.
Let the convention rise to the grandeur of its
mission and do it's duty fully bravely and
rightly, and al the grateful future would come
to crown its work with fadeless glory.
The address was listened to with close atten-
tion and with occasional plaudits. The allusion
to Miss Willard was greeted with special ap-
plause, and her treatment by the Republican
convention was denounced by shouts cf shame"
Shame
A telegram from Rochester saying that ex-
Governor St John, in an interview, had stated
positively that he was not candidate, was
freely circulated. Dr. Blanchard, of Illinois,
said that, Notwithstanding this, ST Johns name
would be presented to the convention, and if
nominated he would accept
THE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATIONS.
"A temporary organization was effected by the
choice Of William Daniel, Of Maryland, as chair
man, and Mrs Woodbridge, president Of the
Ohio Womens Christian Temperance Union, and
Charles S. Carter, of Washington D. c., as sec
retaries.
Mr.. Daniel, in taking the chair, spoke of the
progress which prohibition was making in the
State of Maryland. The general result was that
the jails of Maryland were empty, property had
appreciated, schools and churches were better
filed, and every interest in the State was better
promoted. So long, however, as the national
government allowed liquor to be imported, and
issued licenses and stamps, the State Constitu-
tion and State laws in favor of prohibition
could not be enforced. The general government
as well as the State government must prohibit
this gigantic crime. The general government
fostered and protected intemperance through
the license system, and therefore they must
strike at the general government and they could
only do that by putting in power the prohibition
party Neither Of the two parties had dared to
touch the question in their recent conventions.
One of them had found a place for protection Of
the wool Of Ohio, but neither of them had found
place for the protection of the homes of the
people. Applause.l He believed that if the
Democrats failed in the coming election the
best elements of that party would come into the
prohibition party, and so with the Republican
party. The thing for prohibitionists to do was
to poll big vote at the coming election; that
would hurt both parties. If the Christian and
temperance voters of the country were united
to-day, he believed they would put ST. John or
some other good man in the White House. Jap
plause. Many of the politicians would
have to swim in cold water They
and now they would be taught to swim
in cold water. [Cheers and laughterl If they
should get million voJes in the coming cleo
tion, as Governor st. John said they would, they
would break the back of one of the two parties
if not of both of them. [Cheers.l They were
told, however, that they could not form party
on single issue; but that depended on the size
Of the issue They had put their colors in the
front, and would never draw them back, but
would march up with them. Applause. The
politicians were against this movement because
they knew that, if temperance got into politics.
it would get them out He wanted the prohibi-
ton party in order to cover the bloody chasm be-
tween the North and the South. Just as long
as Democrat was arrayed against Repub.
ican, the old memories of the war
would be fresh, and there would be
hate, vituperation and bitterness which
would never cease until the ranks Of the party
were broken and this new party came in with
the best element of the North and South. There
was victory in the air; it was coming as sure as
they lived. This question would not down.
leaving it out of the platform would not keep it
down. If true to God and true to themselves
they would succeed, and would control the gov
ernment He hoped, therefore, that the pro-
hibition cause would have their prayers and
their votes.
The band struck up Where the Old Folks
Lie, and then there were three cheers for
Maryland and her 'Little Giant. Theaudience
sang Dare to Think, Dare to Do,n and then
there was demand that the band should play
Maryland My Maryland but it was an
nounced that the band was not prepared to play
that air. Then it was proposed to sing it, and a
lady on the platform recited the first verse But
that proposition also fell through, and the con-
vention went on with it's business
The secretary made report that the number
of delegates from the various States were 800 in
all, and committee on credentials was ap-
pointed, the States being called and several del
egations sending up names Of members of the
committee The duties of the secretary in call
ing the roll Of the States were performed by
Mrs Woodbridge, and the responses were made
in two or three cases by ladies', the members
Of the committee on credentials being also in
few cases ladies'
The convention then, at l3O, took a recess until
2 % n X.