The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-04
Temperance Votes.

II a sincere prohibition list will take up any
democratic paper, he will see that the only
hope of Cleveland's supporters is that the pro
hibitionists may draw off enough votes TO elect
him. The question must then come TO his
conscience, whether he has any right so to vote
as to elect Governor Cleveland president. Is
there any temperance man. of any shade, who
would consider that result q trump of his
causes Is he satisfied that the example Of
Governor Cleveland is one that it would lie
good to have in the white houss, or does he
think that the. recommendations 81 Cleveland
as presidedt would promote any temperance.
reform in any stated
There are not many men who will vote
third tickes in any misapprehension on these
points. Most of the temperance meI read and
have intelligence. The votes that are likely to
be cast for M. st. John are those of men who
know that the election of Mr.. Cleveland would
be great evil, but are ready to permit that
evil, Din the hope chat good may come. A few,
it is possible, cherish the hope that lfr. st.
the vote into the Louise. But the house,. If it
ever gets a chance, is absolutely certain to
elect Cleveland. Men who really suppose that
Mr.. st. John can get the electoral vote of Ken
sas and then secure the votes Of four demo
cratic state delegations in the present HORSE
are either so il-inforned OF so eredulous that
argument with them is useless. But those
who will vote for Mr.. ST. John, as a rule, are
not of that class. They will support him, they
say, expecting thereby TO elect Governor Cleve-
land, and admitting thaSsucb choice would
be great evil and disgrace to the countr7f
This they do because they hope thereby tn
make temperance an issuein national politics.
hereafter.
3 Have we right to do evil that good may
come? AT any rate, we have not right to do |
evil, when no good can result The very end |
which the prohbitionists seek would be put /
far off by the election Of deIsoeratic presi- I
dent The reason is so obvious THAT 1t is strange
they do not see it. The democratic party would
at once attempt to change the tariff, as they |
did last spring. Prostitution of bUsiness WOULD
result and intense excitement in SIl northern
states. The tariff, already tie issue for which
more people care than for any other, would al
once become the only and al-absoFbing issue.
1t affects the wages and the earnings Of every
body. Disaster and suffering, woSlld bring it
home to all minds. No change of sariH could
be effected by the present congress, but the
fight would begin year from nexs December
in earnest 1t is certain that it would drown
all other questions until it should be definitely
and permanently settled.
That is what the liquor interest desires. 1t
wants to have some other ques1on-any other
forced upon the people so sharply that all
temperance discussion may be'crowded out for
ten years. Those who believe that no restric
ton of any Kind should be put upon the liquor
traffic can desire the election of Mr.. Cleveland,
II they are willing to face the prolonged prostra
ton of industry But it is hard to see why
men who desire either prohibition, or any
measure of regulation or restraint, should so
east their votes as to help Mr.. Cleveland That
few such votes will be cast we Believe, because
The advocates of temperance are not, as rule,
so blind as to play into the hands OF their ad-
yersaries.