The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-11-27
ST. JOHN AND THE TEMPER
ANCE UNION.

ANOH u H4ON-
The State Temperance union may
fairly be called a representative body of
Kansas temperance workers. It is an
eminently practical and successful or
ganizatIon and has accomplished much |
IN the past In furthering the enforcement |
of the liquor Law where it has been en-
forced, and in encouraging active effort |
and molding public sentiment in the |
line of u continuance OF the present pro-
hibitorY policy. In It's methods of
work it has dIsregsrded neither legal
power nor moral suasion and the aim of
the organization has been to further
temperance reform by the most practical
means, and to meet in an effective way
the difficulties which the constantly
varying phases OF the contest in Kansas
have presented. In view of the work
that 1t has done, certainly no one can
doubt the sincerity OF purpose of either
the leadership or the rank and file of
those supporting the organization. The
scope of its organization and its
basis of representation, which requires
but one qualification, an active interest
in temperance work and excludes no one
from its deliberations because of par
ticular phase of judgment as to the
methods of accomplishing it, make it,
as nearly as it is possible for such an
| organization to be, truly representative
body of temperance workers, non-politi-
cal, non-denominational, non- partisan.
With these facts IN view the conclu-
sions which it reaches may be taken as
a reliable indication OF the real
drift o. temperance sentiment in
Kansas. and as such ought to be regard
ed as of especial significance by all in
terested IN furthering the temperance
cause in any part of the United States.
The resolutions published elsewhere in
this issue which it adopted at its session
yesterday by an almost overwhelming
vote, though one of them was most earn
estlY opposed by Ex-Governor st. John,
who was present, ought then to be rec
ognized by candid and conservative
temperance people everywhere as the
mature judgment of Kansas temperance
workers as to the political methods best
adapted TO the furtherance of then
cause. Coming from this source then
their unequivocal resolution deprecating
the formation of an independent pro-
hibitory political organization in
the present condition of the temper
ance movement, and so long as the at
tItude of the political parties remains
= the same as 1t now is in this state, is 4
condemnation of the position taken II
the present campaign by Governor ST
|, John and his adherents more emphatic
: and effective, more forcible because NOR
J. just, more 10 be respected because NOR
:, sincere from q temperance standpoint
= than all the vituperation and abus
4 which the heat OF partizan dIsappolnt
o ment may heap upon the late Prohibl
e tion presidential candidate, which onl
gives him an increased reputation as
II political martyr and an opportunity I
e pose in an attitude in which the goo
governor will delight. THE News ha
never felt or eXpressed-the froth c
an over-ardent cranky contributor {
to our morning contemporary, whor
we could name but will not, to the con
trary observation-disclosures sympath
with the abusive and vindictive demon
STATIONS and expressions against Go,
ernor st. John INDUCED in by many RI
publIcans in view of the results OF III
late presidential contest. II has felt n
- oyp,pathu Nry,th fhaDo hacanso shay ~
unworthy of dignified and manly RI
publicanism. But without caring I
enter into discussion OF the motive
a that may have actuated Mr.. st, job
In his canvass, for sQch discussion onl
gives him personal prominence whic
~ he does not merit, and without impugl
,e. ing In the least the sincerity of thol
nd who supported him, THE NEWS still b
3 lieves that as a temperance movemel
81 the candidacy of Mr.. st John was &
As entirely lnexpedient and highly dIsa
a trous movement aud that the Sta
K. Temperance Union in It's cordial e
id dorsement of the Republican platfor
ii and policy, and its equally emphatic CO
re demnAtion of the Democratic attitut
In has given an exact statement of the pc.
IT. ton which ought to be assumed by {
las sensible and practical temperance wor
ut ers. 1t is doing much more than all L
es- extremists can do to further the grow
nh and strength of that sound temperar
he sentiment; on the existence of which
J." resolutions congratulate the state al
1t speaks not only for Kansas. but
&c voice will be heard, and its expressi
lat of sentiment regarded in every state
n. the Union.
ed