The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-07-25
Subscription, One Dollar per Year.
WHO is THE LAGGARD?

In the issue of the GAZETTE for July 18th,
Bro. Parsons has the following. 81 knew
my old friend Snyder would march up to the
colors instead of tagging behind in the old
political camp much longer" Recent con-
yerts usually allow their zeal to run beyond
their discretion. In 1873 in the National
Temperance Convention held at Saratoga
Bro. Parsons earnestly insisted that the Re-
publican party was the true temperance party
and could be relied upon to give needed
temperance legislation, and if I am not mis-
taken continued to act with that party until
two or three years ago. But his g tagging !"
friend has been using his utmost endeavor for
twenty years, at least, to secure such combi-
nation of temperance votes as would defeat
the dominant party, whichever that might be,
In order to compel recognition of the tenn
perance issue and the nomination and cleo
ton of temperance men. On this line he
has helped secure the election of many such
candidates. He has also helped nominate
and support numerous independent candi-
dates, when that afforded the only hope of
defeating rum nominees on the ticket of the
dominant party. For doing this he has been
denounced by the Republican party press
and party leaders, including temperance
workers. who, like Bro. Parsons, insisted
that it was better to support their party, rum
included, than to allow the opposition to sue
coed. And while the temperance leaders
have been tickle and shifting, he has unfalter-
lngly insisted upon the plan of balance
OF power voting as alone giving promise
OF success in securing the enactment
and enforcement of Wholesome laws. This
was the position taken in the Alliance in
Camden last November, nor has the challenge
there given, for evidence that success has
been gained in any case in any other way,
been taken up. Maine, Kansas and Iowa Sc
cured prohibition in this way AS to the
two latter states this has not been questioned.
1t has in regard to Maine, for which reason,
in March, 1878, made inquiry of Neal Dow,
and received this answer: g In this state we
have not thought it wise to form a third party
but to resolve firmly that we would vote for
no man who would not go for prohibition,
and to go for any such person irrespective of
party ties" On this line we might have OBJ
tanned prohibition before this in New Jersey,
for as Mr. Dow observes, the Republican
party cannot live without the votes of tenn
peranee men" Had temperance voters made
this clear doubtless our demands would have
been conceded to for the sake of our votes.
And now this laggard who has never had
any faith IN securing prohibition through the
Democratic party nor through the Repubh-
can party till forced by defeat to the alterna-
tive of death for the lack of supporters, new
life through Prohibition votes, nor yet of Sc
curing it all except through one of the two
leading parties, would prefer to see the Pitts
burgh convention make no nominations, if
Prohibitionists en- masse could be carried
over to Cleveland, and thus clear the field for
the future. But as this cannot be hoped for,
let the next best thing be done. Let the sim
gle issue of prohibition be presented and able
and popular men be nominated SO that the
largest possible vote may be secured; and
may God help the right and defeat the wrong.
G. r. SNYDER