The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-08
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, DUTY,

To the Editor u the Indianapolis Journal
The hope Of Prohibitonists is not so much in
Prohibition party as in prohibition votes
enough to carry any desired measure against all
opposition. Indiana has enough Prohibition votes
to carry any point, but they are divided, and
will be so long as men love party better than
temperance. 1t is not purify a question of prin-
eiple whether a man shall vote for prohibition
or for his party 1t is question of practicable
ty. The question presents itself to a conseien-
tons temperance man in this way: If I vote for
prohibition, knowing that the Prohibition
vote is divided, aud my brethren are
not acting with me, not only waste my vote,
but really defeat my purpose. am told / ought
to vote for principle; but my principle is to sup
port the only party that viii give me prohibition
when the leaders see they can do it Prohibi-
ton is what want and by voting hopeless
ticket and helping to kill the only party that
ever gave prohibition to State Is voting against
my purpose
Again, am told that when the Republican
party was asked to put temperance plank in
the platform they refused to do it, and conse-
quently went back on temperance, ana now how
can conscientiously vote with such a party or
expect them to stand by the temperance cause?
reply: Nothing is palmer to my mind
than that whenever the Republican lead
ers think they can carry larger vote
by putting temperance plank in their platform
than they can by leaving it out they viii
most assuredly put it in, and make it strong and
clear and ring the changes on it. What Is the
inference, then but that we have not votes enough
outside the Democratic party to carry prohibit
tiona This is plain to all men whos have been
watching the votes Of the past intelligently The
prohibition vote in Iowa reduced the Republican
majority many thousands It was SO in Kansas
and no man could expect the Republican party
In Mn <v1f1a noh -vnlaY r.,
can honestly say, would sink the Republican
party to-day if by so doing I could carry prohi-
bition-for regard that as above every other
political interest. I don't understand many of
the great questions before the people, only in a
general way. but do understand the temper
ance question read about it, and pray for it.
and lecture for 1t, and it is my heart; but how
can voting for a hopeless prohibition party with
Don Quixote feeling of noble purpose, and very
certain prospect of defeat, do me or any one else
any goed2
The truth is that the eowardice of the leaders
of the party is simply because the masses of the
people are not very profoundly i'm
hibitien. believe the majority in
the State are Prohihitionists, but some of
them, to my certain knowledge are Democrats,
and many who would vote for the Prohibition
ticket when there are no party issues win go
back on everything for their party. Now, all
this being true, shall stick to the only chance
/ see for prohibition
lam told that we must grow a party in order
to succeed in the future Now, that is fallacy.
How long does it take for a man to make up his
mind which party he will belong to. Not very
long In these days, when intelligence travels
so rapidly, whenever there is q great national
movement the people see il and act accord
ingly Will Prohibition party, defeated
from year TO year, give as any political or legis-
latiye powerY While our strength is divided in
growing party, the enemy Of temperance is in
ereasing in Legislative ability.
Whenever tho time comes for united action it
will be so plainly seen that the thousands Of
PFohibitiopists win fall into line, not under q
gag law, but with hearty cooperation, and
prospect of success. Law AND ORDER
LAwRENoEBURG, Aug. 6