The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-18
Temperance in Partisan Politics.


Church, has an article upon the question of pro
hibition in the Western Christian Advocate,
which, though written particularly with respect
to the condition of things in the State of Ohio is
still of much interest, and almost perfect apph
cation in this State, and in all other States The
Bishop of course writes from the point of view
of an earnest believer in and advocate of prohi-
bition. He says:
THE conviction has been clear i'll my mind
that Ohio, not less than Iowa, will vote for pro
hibition as soon as the question can be gotten be-
fore the people in simple and direct FORM free
from political bases and party complications;
and that conviction has not abated. There are
thousands of voters in Ohio. as there are in all
the States. whose solid judgments approve pro
hibiton, and VINO would vote for it on its merits
if permitted to do so without disturbing their po
litcal standing, but will not go out of their party
to do so, nor will they forsake the candidates
nominated by their party in order to
secure the success of prohibition. Their sub
servency to party may not be wise, and their
love for prohibition may be far weaker than it
ought to be, and yet in any action, taken for the
furtherance of the cause, the attitude of this
large class of voters should be considered. My
belief is that with them is the balance of power,
and the thing to be sought after as of the first
Importance is such an issue as will permit every
man to vote for or against prohibition, without
affecting his relation to his party. to his church,
OF TO nus laVOTlJe canuluaJeS IOr ONCE
The writer continues:
Gwen righteous cause requires wise man.
agement Every factor in the problem should
have it's place. This will require an bipartisan
view of the relation of this question of prohibition
to the existing political parties.
This issue is great enough to be sep
arated from all partisan movements.
1t is plainly unwise to commit prohibi-
ton to the keeping of any party. and not less
unwse to attempt to form a distinct party on
this ground. There is great danger of i'm
patience at delays, and too much readiness to re
gard postponement as defeat. Great moral
achievements require time, especially when the
body of the people must be brought into action.
Reforms move slowly. n In some things
delays are dangerous and otter fatal Not SO in
this contest.
In the conclusion of his argument and advice
to temperance men, to Prohbitionists, the Bishop
says:
Under scarcely any conceivable circum-
stances would l ask any political party to put
prohibition plank in its platform, nor would l
consent to seek the Endorsement of any political
convention. Let the parties ard their ma
chinery alone. This cause is infinitely above
their range of topics and action. 1t be-
longs to the people in their highest
freedom and ultimate sovereignty and the ap-
peal should be made to the peoples representa-
tives in the Legislature upon grounds broader
and soldier than any party stands upon In the
meantime let every thing be done that can be to
sustain and improve the existing legislation on
the subject. Experience has amply proven that
regulation does not regulate'-yet restraining
statutory laws have some value and with a live
public sentiment behind them, their beneficial
power may be so increased as to prove the
practcability and expediency of constitutional
prohibition"
This language from one SO high in authority
and counsel as Bishop Merrill, is in sound
practical contrast with the words of those who
proclaim that they prefer free whisky to any
sort of regulation or restriction, and rebukes the
action of those who would put the Liquor League
in control of the government by being caught in
the net of third party, spread by the agents Of
the league for the ensnaring of the unwise
THE New York Graphic proposes a heroic and