The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-31
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Temperance in tho Platform.

Temperance in tho Platform.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Jou rna
have read the speech of Hon Will Cumback,
delivered at Pendleton, on "The Duty and Wise
Course of the Republican Party Toward the
Liquor Question" 1t is grand good speech
The argument is unanswcrable; but his platform
is a blot that almost oblterates the fine points
of the speech The Governor says;
''Is the Republican party to be controlled by the
honest masses-the modest majority-or are political
shysers, the cheeky minority to dictate its policy ana
its principles Is the Republican party with grand
record for the maintenance OF human rights ana uhe
promotion of human welfare TO become the subserv-
lent tool Of single interest cup bearer IN the ten
pie of Bacchus and mere bartender to WHISKY
saoonl IL there be any question in the wide DOMAIN
of morals that is absolutely settled in the minds OF
men it is that the selling of intoxicating liquors as
beverage is a criminal business The moral of
mankind is shocked at the inconsistency of State
licensing what, by her own statute, she treats as
crime 1t (the Republican party has ever been awake
to the public good. 1t is the peoples party and has
ever had the courage to stand by ITS conVctlons. AL
thoughtful men will turn away with disgust from
party that converts great principles into mere parry
catch-words to secure votes. All power Is IN the
hands of the people. They will have party that rep,
resents their of right and Justice; their idea OF
good government. They will destroy a party that
falls below their standard Candidates for office must be
clean Their platforms must be framed not to catch
the votes of the vicious and depraved but challenge
the approval of those who love their and their
country more than they do then party
Every candid mind will admit the sentiments
expressed by Governor Cumback in the forego-
ing quotations from his speech. They are sound,
and express, in brief manner, the very ground
work on which the Republican party ID built.
The sale of intoxicating liquor TO be used as
beverage is a crime Will the Republican party,
in its wisdom. say so9 If Governor Cumback's
platform is adopted, tho question will be an
swered in the negative Shall the Republican
party put itself upon record opposed to
license system that shocks the moral sense OF
mankind? Governor Cumback does not demand
anything of the kind Is the Repubhcan party
awake to the public good2 Has it the courage to
stand by its convictions If the party shall
adopt the platform which Governor Cumback
suggests, we shall be forced to answer the last
two questions in the negative. Governor Cum
back says:
mot Important 20 that it is so clear that it be
easily understood. would suggest something like
this:
Il That political organization based wholly
upon capital and designed to work exclusively in the
interest Of class utterly regardless of all other IN
terests is dangerous to the commonwealth and should
be promptly rebuked
- That the Liquor League of America is such
political organization. and its arrogance and dictaton
In demanding legislation for its sole benefit regard
less of the lives and morals and material interests OF
the people receive our most unqualified eondemna-
3 That reposing implicit confidence in the virtue
and intelligence of the people, reafirm the action
vor tue agreeing to and submission OF an amenumeht
of the Constitution 10 direct vote OF the people, at
special election, forbdiing The traffic IN Intoxicating
liquors for beverage purposes and that pending the
adoption of such amendment we favor such legis
lation consistent with the present Constitution as
shall protect society against the evils OF tipping
houses.
The first and second resolutions simply de
Mounce class legislation. The Liquor League Is
not condemned because the manufacture and
sale of into Xicating liquor to be used as bever
&c Int IL demands lpoala-
ton for its sole benefit. The third resolution
asserts a proposition that one denies, VIZ;
The right of the people to vote upon questions
of public interest All parties, two years ago had
this plank in their platforms The Democrats
said the vote should be had at general election
he Republicans said it ought to be at a special
election; that was the only difference. Why not
engraft the sentiments of the speech in the plat
forInl Why not say that the manufacture and sale
of Intoxicating liquor to be used as 3 beverages
q crime against society aud that it should be pro
hibitedl Why Governor Cumback should mar
such good speech with such platform, is I'M
accountable.
In 1882 the Republicans declared in favor Of sub
mission the Democrats said the same the Liquor
League ind0Ised the Democratic action hence
the three were agreed upon the question Of sub
mission Are the Republicans of Indiana, who
believe with Governor Gumback, that the selling
Of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is q Grim
inal business. TO be content with expressing the
same opinion on the liquor question that the
Liquor League has indorsedl Will the duty of
the Republican party toward the liquor question,
be we'll done if it shall simply reafiirm' that
which the Liquor League hasaffirmedI VIII that
be an exhibition Of courage to stand by its con
victions, As the Journal well said the 18th
of March last Tie temperance question Is in
politics; it was put there by the Liquor League
1t must be honestly met The people demand
this at the hands of the politicians The issue
is fairly presented and must be honestly met;
we cannot evade it if wo would and we would
not if we could Candidates must be clean.
their platforms mast challenge the approval of
those who love their race and country more
than they do their party ! very positive
that upon reflection Governor CtImback will be
one Of the first men in the State to insist upon
the sentiments of his speech being engrafted
into tho Republican platform. He is too good
temperance worker. too good Christian gentle
man to desire otherwise.
RENSSELAER,, Ind x. = DwIGGfSS