Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1884-08-08
PROHIBITION AND Politics.

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About the worst possible thing that
can happen to any great reform is to
drag l, into party politics before the
country is ripe for 1t. In the first place
no great party has ever yet existed on
one idea for any length OF time. Polit-
ical parties exist 10 the nature things,
they are hot made to order. Their
fundamental principles exist IN the
mental make up of society and they
are evolved therefrom. Special issues
like slavery, polygamy, prohibition,
etc, rise and pass away-they are in-
cide1ss. but the two great principles
the progressive and conservative, the
positive and the negative still exist and
on these parties and policies are found
| ed. Should an entirely new issue pre-.
sent itself to the country, the lntelli-
gent and thoughtful observer need not
hesitate long in saying which party will
naturally advocate or oppose. Hence
when we see the extreme Prohibition
ist anxious to organize into political
party, it strikes us as exhibiting folly
which IS not only short sighted, but
also the very best means of defeating
and destroying the cause itself. In
stead OF being an element OF strength
such an organization becomes an ele-
ment of weakness. Speaking of this
lquestlon. the Iowa HOMESTEAD says:
The formation of prohibition party
with candidates for president and vice
lpresident bodies no good for the cause
lof prohibition. When the prohibiting
sentiment Is strong enough in any
state one party or the other will be
sharp enough to see it and lend its aid
to incorporate it in laws. Until it at
ltains that strength it had better keep
out Of politics. 1t is the persistent
crar klness of Ohio prohibitienists on
this question that has rendered prohi-
bitory legislation futile In that state SC
far. It's not possible to have party
for every question that is up, nor .tc
have more than two great parties ii
: the union. Parties built on a single
t issue, unless that issue be one OF
national existence are short lived. The
only thing national prohibitionlsts car
do is to furnish them funds and nelI
Y their enemies.
t Now the only point the prohibition
:. lists need fight for at present is tn,
e privilege of submitting a constitutions
amendment to the people OF the state
A The democracy in its national con
!. vention has deliberately pronounce'
e against "sumptuary legislation'-i
If other words against prohibition.
did this to catch and hold the liquc
vote. At the same time 1t was true
the real instincts of the party, as W
), have shown time and again. Ere
. trade is another of Its instincts" bl
that question was smothered up by tn
policy mongers. In this state den
y ocratic Legislature has already refuse
'e to submit the question of a prohib
III ton amendment. The republics
e party has always, when a respectful
Al number of voters demanded it, bee
. willing that the the people should d
eide for themselves. Common sen
'w ought TO suggest TO the prohibitions
co of Missouri that they can gain nothil
ne by dividing up the opposition to t
TO- democracy; that whatever tends
ed strengthen democratic ascendancy il
oy to that extent puts off the opportun
to accomplish their desires. We S
tn this, not because all democrats q
EAR whisky men, or all republicans temp
,ns ance advocates, for such is not /
laI case, but because of the very ba
Try. principles which underlie the two p
ors ties-the first conservative, non-p
fly gessive, opposed to change; the lat
per progressive, radical and willing to
ng. the new and the better as 1t is prese
of ed.