The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-12
rHE pRoHTBTTIoN PARTY.
Mrs. j. Ellen Fosters Strong and Sensible
Letter on Temperance ana Politics.

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Mrs. J. Ellen Fosters Strong and Sensible
Letter on Temperance ana Politics.
Boston journal.
Mrs. j. Ellen Foster, of Iowa, one of the most
earnest and best known Christian temperance
workers in this country, is not believer in the
ticket Of St John and Daniel On the other
hand she favors, for distinct and emphatic rea-
sons, the election of the National Republican
ticket The letter from her pen, reproduced
below, is well-considered review Of the present
political situation as it appears when viewed
from high plane of observation-that of an
earnest, thinking Christian woman Mrs Eos
ter, native of Boston, and educated here, but
since her marriage resident of Iowa, is one of
the ablest if not the ablest woman in the ranks
Of the National Womens Christian Union, an
organization with State organizations in forty
States and nine Territories, and an aggregate
membership of nearly 1000 Toits members,
work for temperance, or more properly for pro-
hibition, is "a religion Miss Frances Willard,
its president is member Of the political Pro
hibitory party, and believes in political work
for prohibition while Mrs Foster believes in
constitutional prohibition, which takes the
question out of politics, as In Iowa, Kansas and
Maine. Mrs Foster has been to Buffalo, whence
her letter was written, to learn for herself the
truth Of che allegations against Cleveland and the
result of her visit is summed up with epigram-
matte terseness She sees that the election lies
between Cleveland a man withou6 home, and
Blaine the true husband, the honest father,
the home man, and she is evidently alarmed
lest strong diversion from the Republican to
the Prohibitionist ranks might imperil Blaine's
election and put Cleveland at the head Of the
Nation.
MRS. FOSTERS LETTER
BUFFALO, Aug. q, 1884
REV. E. K Young D. d., Des Moines, Ia:
my Dear Friend-My allegiance in public
work is first of all due to the Womans Christian
Temperance Union believe that as national
organization we should be non-paftisan in our
attitude toward the political questions of the
day even toward party prohibition 1t is my
sincere conviction, strengthened by a personal
knowledge of the work the country over, that the
overthrow of the liquor traffic will be soonest
accomplished if our organizations withhold party
effort and give themselves wholly to the regular
lines OF temperance work which have been de-
yeloped by Gods providence during the ten
years since the crusade. We have some twenty
five distinctive departments of work under the
general divisions, preventive educational, evange
listic, social and legal These cover every phase
of the question, and afford the widest scope for
the work of our organization. deprecate great
" the seeming attempt on the part of some of
our women to ally the National Woman's Chris
tan Temperance Union with the national Pro-
hibition party ] believe the larger part of our
membership and Of our best advisers deplore
what they consider an Unwarranted and untena
bic position
Having been chosen by the National Union
superintendent ofthe Departmental legislative
works and petitions, must keep myself free
from partisanship. AS an individual cannot
and do not smother my convictions. Either
James G. Blaine or Grover Cleveland will be
President of these United States. As between
them do not see how any Christian voter can
hesitate. Writing as do from this city of Buff
falo, where Clevelands home is--no, where he
lives-he has no home-I do not hesitate to say
as for me and mine, let 1t be the true husband,
the honest father, the home man--James G..
Blaine
'sFurther than this, donot believe the demand
for national constitutional prohibition is the
best Endorsement of prohibition principles
The prohibition of the liquor traffic is not, by
either the letter or the spirit Of the Constitution,
the subject of national legislation. 1t must
come by States itcan come in no other way, un-
less, by an armed resistance to law in the States
it should become necessary for the general gov
ernment as war measure; to aid the States by
military intervention. Peaceable revolution ac-
eording to constitutional methods must come by
State legislation. So, also, just as prohibition
cannot be carried in a State till q considerable
number of voters in the State are themselves
prohibitionists, so national prohibition cannot
be practical issue until a considerable number
Of States are prohibition States. When three
quarters of the States agree the Constitution Of
the United States may be amended. and national
prohibition be the rule of the land It is some
times argued that the Thirteenth Amendment
abolishing slavery in the States was submitted
by Congress before the States had taken similar
State action, but we remember that at this time
there was 50 large a majority Of free States that
they controlled the government and carried
on great and terrible war. The question of
slavery on its political side was a controversy
between States, concerning which the general
government and national legislation was the
only court of appeal The prohibition of the
liquor traffic is not "a question between States,
but between the people of State, and national
political action is not at this time the proper
court in which to try this cause.
II have taught this doctrine from ocean to
ocean. Could now fail to stand for the applica-
ton Of the truths have taught This is why
IcOuld not If We're a voter enter the political
field for the nominees of the Pittsbnrg conven-
tioH. honor John P. St john he has my high
esteem, my profound respect. andaso Of Mr.
Daniel whom am honored BY numbering
among my personal friends. believe they each
were actuated by the high motive of disin-
tertsted patriotism; simply do not agree with
them as to this one method Of obtaining what
we all desire.
II do not see how there can be two opinions az
20 the duty OF Iowa Prohibitionists. i have nc
arithmetic with which to estimate the mental
caIibre or the moral sense Of any Iowa man who
claimg to be for temperance and does not stand
by the Republican party, with the rights anc
privileges conferred by the bad mans plank.
The Prohibitionists of Iowa, dwelling IN the
Canaan Of triumphant majorities,. even though
their enemies be not all cast yet can hardly ap
preciate the WEAKNESS, even the bitterness OIL
those still in the wilderness with their children
daily dying BY the wayside. God has many
ways Of accomplishing His purposes; there are
many battalions in His great armies. Let US moi
sit in Judgment upon those who differ with us as
to what is the most effective mode OF warfare
at this particular point Of time in the long strtg
gle Let no friend be disturbed at this differ
encc Of opinion; letno enemy be rejoiced thereby