Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-09

The readers of the EAGLE will bear
cut the assertion that Tong and earn-
estly we protested against making
prohibition party issue, and against
the Republican party attempting to
place a purely moral question iD po-
litical platform. Papers and speakers
told us that the thing was not only
inevitable, but was foolish TO think
that such a reform movement could be
kept ont of politics that it was cow
ardice that is but sympathy for the
whiskyite, etc.
The Western Christian Advocate Of
February 6, contains an article from
Bishop Merrill, of the Methodist Epis-
cOpal church, on the relation of prOhi-
bition politics which puts the case in
the clear light Of cool, unbiased
judgment. The cause of prohibition
is, as will be seen by his words, above
all political and party issue to him,
and he speaks with conviction of
the correctness of his judg nent. The
Bishop says
.'Thc conviction has been clear in my
mind that Ohio, not less than Iowa,
will vote for prohibition as soon as the
question can be gotten before the peo-
pie in simple and direct form, free
from political bases and party cOmpli-
lao h.l. nf
abated. There are thousands of voters
in Ohio. as there are in all the states,
whose solid judgments approve prohi-
bition, and who would vote for il on its
merits if permitted to do so without
disturbing their political standing, but
will not go out of their party in order
to secure the success of prohibition.
Their subserviency to their party may
not be far weaker than il ought to be,
and yet in any action taken for the
furthcrcnce of the cause, the attitude
of this large class of voters should be
considered. NV belief is that with
them is the balance of power and the
thing to be sought after rs of the first
Importance in such an issue AS will
permit every man to vote for or
against prohibition, without affecting
his relation TO his party. to his church,
or to his favorite candidate for office.
But when righteous cause re-
quires wise management every factor
in the problem should have its place.
This will require an bipartisan view of
the relation of this question of prohi-
bition to the existing political parties.
Perhaps this is the most perpleXing
thing TO be settled, and vet the task of
adjusting its is not hopeless. Ii was
once done in Iowa, and il may be done
elsewhere. When the proposition was
submitted 10 be voted on when there
was no other election, and when there
was no other candidates in the field
for any Office This is the key TO all
the diff Guilty. In such conditions the
voters Of any or all parties can vote
on prohibition. pro or con, without
any embarrassment. This avoids all
danger and all possibility OF compli-
cations or compromise. With such
an opportunity there is scarcely "A
state in the Union in which
prohibition cannot be carried.
This issue is great enough To be thus
from all partisan move
ments. There is more in il by far
than there is in all the differences be-
tween the parties. The parties do not
differ on matters fundamental TO tie
but may on questions of
policy. Patriotism is not confined 10
any one party: neither in that re-
serve power of personal virtue on
which moral questions depend in
Ii is therefore plainly
unwise TO commit prohibition 1" the
of any party. and not less I'M
wise to attempt to form distinct par !
tv on this ground. The cause j. too
sacred and the issue TOO mOmentouS /
for such narrow treatment. There is f.
great danger Of impatience At DELAYS, |
and too much readiness To regard |
rs defeat. Great
moral achievements require time,
especially when the body |
of the people must be brought into ac-
ton. Reforms move slowly. The ephe- |
neral issues of the parties are issues of
a day, but this question of righteous
ness is as permanent rs the skies. Ii /
rises above the fluctuations of party /
into the purer atmosphere OF thought .
md duty aud con science. In some .
hings delays are dangerous and often
fatal Not SO in this contest. A little
wisdom 10 planning. and little skill
N uniting for the main issue, by max
ny concession i'm minor matters, will
lot fail to bring about state of things
which will compel any general assem-
bly, the people will hereafter elect to
give the free men of the common
wealth the opportunity to vote square
V on the naked issue of prohibition.
No one party will do this, but the men
Of character in all the parties will do it
when the united voice of the prohibit
ion element shall demand il.
Under scarcely any conceivable cir
would I ask any political
,arty TO put prohibition plank in lis
platform, nor would | consent TO seek
he endorsement Of any political con-
'cntion. Let the parties and their
machinery alone. The cause is infinite
V above their range of topics and
lction. Ii belongs to the people in
heir highest freedom amt ultimate
ovcrcignty, and the appeal should be
made to the peoples Representatives
n the legislature upon grounds
broader and soldier than any party
tands upon. In the mean time let
he done that can be To
ustain and improve The existing leg
station on the subject. Experience
las amply proven that regulation
'oes not regulate"-that restrain
ng statutory laws have some value,
nd with like public sentiment be-
ind them. their beneficial power may
re SO increased TO prove the practical
ility and expediency of constitutional