The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-12-04
A Nut for the Politicians to Crack.


The State Convention of the Good Tenn
plars Of Virginia met in Harrisonburg
last week After harmonious and sue
cessfnl session it adjourned on Friday
evening. We learn that it was deter
mined by y unanimous vote to raise the
question Of Prohibition in the next State
election and that a committee was APP
pointed to take the matter into cOnsid-
its duty. to present to the State Conven-
tions Of the respective political parties,
when assembled to nominate State
tickets, a request to incorporate in
the platforms that may be adopted a
resolution in favor Of prohibiting the sale
and manufacture of liquor. If one Con-
yention should comply with the request,
and not the other, then the Good Tenn
plars would support the platform and
ticket that favored their cause. If both
favorably acted on their petition, they
would support the party that presented
the most distinct position on this ques-
such Il plank in its platform. then the
State Committee of the Good Templars is
to convene, for the purpose of issuing q
call for State Convention to nominate a
full Prohibition ticket from Governor
down.
There was great unanimity, we are IN
formed. in the adoption of this programme,
| and much earnestness expressed as to the
purpose of the order to be heard before
the people in the approaching State cleo
ton. Democrats and Republicans were
in accord on the subject. and each ex-
pressed their determination to make Pro-
hibition the paramount question, so far as
| the members Of the Order are concerned.
1t is estimated by those who have given
! the matter serious thought, that not less
than 10000 votes could be commanded for
| the cause Of Prohibition, either in support
Of one of the political parties that
would adopt a prohibition plank or for a
| full Prohibition Ticket
| If this programme is carried out, it may
derange party calculations very much. The
temperance strength would'be an uncer-
tain factor, as between the two parties, as
1T would be in case either party would
unite with it. In the case of either party
adopting a prohibition platform, there
would be many members Of that party who
would leave it. Should there be q straight
Prohibition ticket it might receive the
support of many who are not members of
| the Order, and lose that of some who are.
| The action Of the Convention of Good
Templars will disturb the equanimity of
a good many political aspirants and cause
no little calculation and speculation.
What it may practically result in, cannot
be foretold. except that it will cause a good
deal Of trepidation, invoke much impre
cation, and expose the weak side of mum
Der of patriots, who consider party success
the chief end of man and government
Apart from any political complication
which may grow out the plans of tie Coco
Templars, we may remark that the people
are becoming heartily disguised with the
whlskey influence in politics and are gath
ering up large amount of wrath to bt
let loose upon somebody's head. Whether
it will take the form of total prohibition
or merely express itself in the reformation
OF party management, we are not'preparet
to give an opinion. There is Il growing
current with the masses against ring rule
and a convulsion at this time may not bt
among the impossible political events.