Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-11
PRoHIs,TlonAne PARTY.


Bishop Merrill says Prohibition Should
b. nstbs mIxsd Win Politics.
The readers of the EAGLE will bear
snt the assertion that long and earn
estiy we protested against making
prohibition party Issue, and against
the Republican party attempting to.
place a purely moral question in po-
litical platform. Papers aud speakers
told us that the thing was not only
inevitable, but was foolish to think
that such reform movement could be
kept out of politics {; that it was cow
ardicc; that is but sympathy for the
whiskyite, etc.
The Western Christian Advocate of
February s, 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 q 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 judgment. The
Bishop says:
"The 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 biases and party compli-
cations, and that conviction has not
abated. There are thousands of voters
in Ohio. as there are in all the states,
whose solid judgments approve proii-
bition, and who would vote for it 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 it ought to be,
and yet in any action taken for the
furtherence 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 in snch 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 u, righteous cause re-
quires wise management every factor
in the problem should have its place.
This will require an bipartisan view OF
! la ,-.,la Of Of
biiion to the existing political parties. |
Perhaps this is the most perplexing
thing to be settled, and yet the task of |
adjusting its is not hopeless. Ii was
once done in Iowa, and it may be done
elsewhere. When the proposition was
submitted 10 be voted on when there
was no other election, aud when there
was no other candidates in the field
for any office. This is the key to all
the difficulty. 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 al
state in the Union in which
prohibition cannot be carried.
This issue is great enough to be thus
separated from all partisan move
ments. There is more in ii by far
than there is in all the differences be-
tween the parties. The parties do not
differ Oh matters fundamental 10 the
government but may on questions of
policy. Patriotism is not confined TO
any one party: neither in that re-
serve power of personal virtue on
which moral questions depend in
emergencies. 1t is therefore plainly
unwise TO commit prohibition to the
keeping of any party, and not less UNI
wise to attempt TO form distinct par
ty on this GROUND. The cause is too
sacred and the issue too mOnentous
for such narrow treatment. There is
great danger of Impotence at delays,
and too much readiness to regard
as defeat. Great {
moral achievements require time.
when the boay J
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 as the skies. Ii
rises above the fluctuations of party
into the purer atmosphere of thought {
and duty and conscience. In some I
things DELAYS are dangerous and often 4
fatal. Not so in this contest. A little s
wisdom TO planning, and little skill S
IN uniting for the main issue, by max II
ng concession in minor matters, will il
lot fail to bring about state of things
which will compel any general assem-
ply the people will hereafter elect TO
rive the free men of the common
wealth the oppoi tunity to vote square,
v on the naked issue of prohibition.
No one party will do this, but the men
If character in all the parties will do it
when the united voice of the prohibit
ion element shall demand it.
Under scarcely any conceivable cir
would ask any political
'arty TO put prohibition plank in its
nor would consent to seek
he endorsement of any political con- al
ention. Let the parties and their al
alone. The cause is infinite
! above their range of topics and az
ction. 1t belongs to the people in Al
heir highest freedom and ultimate
and the appeal should be az
Iade to the peoples representatives
a the legislature upon grounds W
roader and soldier than any party al
lands upon. In the mean time let nc
be done that can be to jO
nstain and improve The existing leg nj
.lation on the subject. Experience
as amply proven that regulation IN
ocs not regulate"-that restrain W
lg statutory laws have some value, be
nd with like public sentiment be- an
ind them, their beneficial power may it.
e SO increased 10 prove the practical
ility and expediency of constitutional q
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