Smyrna times., 1884-12-24
False Leaders.

There is vast amount of blundering
talk about votes of the PrOhibitionists
at the late election, and not little false
reasoning has been based upon the
most evident misconceptiOn of the at
titude of the Prohibitionists.
1t is assumed that the PrOhibitionists
as body supported Mr.. st. John, that
the just indignation of Republicans at
the base ingratitude of st. John, and
the silly action of his associates in aid
ing the success of the rum power, is
directed against the Prohibitionists.
In actual fact, the PrOhibitionists did
not support St. John. Thepetty faction
who backed him, led by cranks, the
"queerites," the inconsiderate and the
simple-minded, no more represent the
great body of conscientious, GOd-fearing
people who seriously propose to stop
the rum business, than the froth and
scum, whicn every chOpping wind plays
with, stand for the deep sea.
Who are Prohibitionists Look at
Kansas; it adopted a Prohibition
amendment by a majority of thOus-
ands. 1t gave st. John about one vote
in hundred. They knew him out
there. Iowa adopted a Prohibition
amendment, but the ST. John vote
there is not worth computation. Maine,
/ too, the pioneer Prohibition State,
where temperance laws have been in
successful operation for years, refused
to recognize in St. John the represen-
tative of ne Prohibition sentiment of
this country, and every county gave its
vote to Blaine. In short, wherever the
Prohibitionists were plenty, st. John
votes were scarce. Does any one sup
pose that the puny support st. John
received in New Jersey, stands for the
Prohibition strength in the State?
The leaders of the st. John party
in New Jersey represent, not the Pro-
hibitionists at all, but the vainglOriOus
gentry who, failing to attract the at
tention they hunger for elsewhere,
have fastened themselves upon the
Prohibition movement, like the fly on
the wheel, and are now busily crying
out, "See how fast we turn the wheel" "
To these men it is useless to argue that
even if st. John, and both Houses OF
Congress supporting him had been
elected, no aid could have been given
to the Prohibition cause, for want OF
Constitutional power in the general
government to act upon that question.
1t is not the Prohibition cause they de-
sire TO aid; they are posing for the OBJ
servation of the world, and are i'm
mensely tickled at the unexpected no.
tice they receive.
1t is against these men and the great
injury they have done the Prohibition
cause, that every true opponent Ofrum
lifts up his voice. This injury is al
most irreperable. In Massachusetts,
even, there is danger that Prohibition
will be overthrown and license take its
place. The vote there in twenty-OnC
cities tee last two weeks, was $685.
for license, to SO, 915 for local Prohibi
ton. In Rhode Island a like feeling
was shown. In Western New YOrl
the indications are that a sweeping
change will be made from local PrOhi
bition to license. These results are di
rect consequences of the association o
the st. John party with the Prohibi
ton cause. The cure (if any is nov
possible) is that every friend of tina
| cause shall dissOciate the folly of silly
minded men from the great and gOO'
movement of which they falsely as
sumo to be the leaders.-iSdIem SOUt
,Jerseymdn.