The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-08-15
PROHIBITIONIST AND THIRD PARTY
MEN.

The expressions in this heading, pro-
hibitionists and third party men, are by
some people, strangely intermingled, in
fact are used as though they were synony-
nous terms. They are so used by many of
the writers in the MONITOR and other tenn
perance papers, and are so expressed in
public speech and private conversation.
There are doubtless some who are UNI
able to see any distinction between these
terms. but others use them in this mixed
form for a special purpose, and, as many
are deceived thereby. feel called upon to
rise and explain, whether it be considered
proper by the critics or not. 1t is evident
a third party man is a prohibitionist but
is it evident that all prohibitionists are
third party men? There is a wide differ
ence, in many instances, between the two.
1t is evident all men are animals, but
who is foolish enough to argue from this
fact that all animals are men. and yet this
would be about as sensible as the position
taken by many of the third party men,
Some of the strongest prohibitionists in
New Jersey, and in the land, are not third
party men, but are loyal to the policy of
the State Alliance. and deeply lament the
suicidal course pursued by few devoted
temperance enthusiasts. | say few en-
thusasts, because the third party move
ment does not represent much of the
strength of the prohibition movement
This was clearly shown in the last presi-
Dental election, in the third party vote,
and in the subsequent prohibition vote in
Iowa for example. | have not the figures
at hand but am sure that the strict third
party vote of Iowa in the presidential
election was SMALL compared with the
magnificent vote polled for prohibition in
the popular election, when they swept the
State.
The same thing is true in other states
and | am sure it is true in New Jersey.
Are not the officers and members of the
New Jersey State Alliance good prohibit
ionists?
Are not some of the men who have
fought and won our battles in the Lepis-
lature but who are not third party men,
good prohibitionists?
Are not some of the substantial voters of
this and other communities. who do not
endorse St. John and Daniel, good prohi-
bitionists?
Are not some of the worthy ministers of
all the denominations in New Jersey who
have done and are doing true temper
ance work, and who are not third
party men, good prohibitionists There
are i'll almost every cause some phar-
isaical individuals who thank God
they are better than other men, and look
down upon their weaker brethren with
pity and contempt, and the temperance
cause forms no exception to the rule.
Because all others do not think as these
self-constituted leaders of the temperance
ca use demand, they are given to under
stand they are not up to the standard
For this cause alone some of our best
men have been sorely wounded. For
this cause alone the writer has been
called the Jad0s of the temperance party.
For this cause alone. the Rev. A. f.
Ballard is called in the last issue of the
MONITOR in an extract from another pa
per, the friend of the license system.
Thus good men are hastily denounced
because they do not wear the yoke pre-
pared for them, but think for themselves in
regard to ways and means
| observe this also, that even in Woods
town, if man thinks for himself. and
presents those thoughts through the press,
and if he advocate theories other than
those endorsed by the third party crowd.
he is at once exposed to all sorts of per-
sonal questions and insinuations, and
given to understand that he is little out of
order.
Mr.. Editor (whoever You are, | see you
thus addressed) | understand the MoNI-
TOR to be working for prohibition, but not
tied to the third party kite, hence felt
free to write the above in the interest of
many prohibitiOnists who do not want to
be kicked out of the party by few radi-
Gals. N. j. WRIGHT.