The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-02
The LIQUOR Question in Politics.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
Your editorial in the journal of March IS,
headed Law and Liquor has attracted very
general attention, especially from those who OPP
pose the legalized liquor traffic in Indiana. And
its appearance in the journal has been received
by the temperance people as an indication that
the Republican press of the State is awakening
to recognition of the dangerous attitude the
lawlessness and the arrogance of the liquor
traffic.
Notwithstanding the editorial referred to was
ably written, and to the extent limited by the
writer in the discussion expressed the sentiments
of the temperance people of the State, yet it was
painfully conservative politically, and dsap-
pointing in its failure to suggest any remedy for
the evils so forcibly presented.
In view of this fact, doubtless, your CORE
spondent, T. c. s. Walker, of Terre Haute. in a
letter headed ''The Liquor League and Politics, {"
which appeared in the journal of March 81, I'M
dertook to supplement the Journal editorial by
suggesting political remedy.
His suggestion is, N substance that the Re
publican party shall, by resolution in its plat
FORM antagOniZe "the political DO wer of the rum
traffic That is, resolve against men who are
engaged in the liquor traffic voting their senti-
ments on the liquor question. and with the par
ty that promises the greatest protection to their
business. But that it shall not antagonize the
liquor traffic itself, with its inherent power for
evil, in devastating the homes of the State fos
tering crime, increasing taxation, and spreading
poverty and desease in The community. On the
contrary he says, the Republican party should
not take bold stand for prohibition, but
affirm its gauzy resolution of confidence in the
people, and their right to amend the constitl
ton. The adoption of such policy by the Re
publican party would be to place itself In the
ridiculous attitude of battling against the air.
and grasping at its shadow. AS to the first
and the law recognize the manufaet-
ure and sale Of Intoxicating liquor as
a legitimate business, the men engaged in it will
and have the same right to vote with the party
which affords the best protection to their bust
ness interests as do those engaged in any other
branch of business.
AS to the second proposition--it is not resolu
tons of confidence in the people, and platform
recogntions of their constitutional rights by the
Republican party that is the political necessity
of the hour but the confidence of the people, es-
pecially the temperance people in the Republic
an party, and the course suggested by your cor
respondent cannot secure that confidence.
The evil which urgently requires. and
for which the temperance people Of Indiana de-
mand a remedy, Is not simply the political power
of the liquor trafiee but its inherent power fo1.
evil in every department of society And the
impracticable demand of the times IS for party
that proposes to abolish the liquor traffic of the
State by constitutional and statutory prohibit
ton.
The Democratic party of the State has already
declared in favor of the saloon traffic and against
prohibition VIII the Republican party meet
the issue, and declare against the saloon traffic
and in favor of prohibition! If it does it will
place itself in the right and will succeed: if it
does not it must 'make way for liberty" and
for party that will W. NJ. LAND
PRINCETON Ind.