The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-22

1t claimed to be nearer right than any other
party on the subject of slavery. But it was
only III for miserable and pitiful compromises;
The Abolitionist had been its tools long enough.
they had voted with it. Its defeats were
charged to abolitionism. The stomach of Aboli-
tlonists turned against such treatment. They
stood alone. The Wing party died. Repub-
licanism crystallized around the men who as
free-sollers stood on principle. There were no
fewer good men III the land when the Wing
party ceased to exist. It had outlived its use
fitness and no longer did its duty. Free
sellers We're the heart of the Republican party.
In time of the defeat they did not apologize. The
party lived by means of its principles. 1t was
defeated once or twice and has since held the
reins for twenty-thPee years.
Must history repeat ITSELF Possibly. Not
necessarily. There is a living, burning issue
to-day. The party that helps the people to-day
in their hfe-struggle with the Liquor League
will live. The Republican party cannot refuse
to do it.
This is a living question. Republicans, as a
party, for years have been driven into certain
positions favoring temperance, and meeting GER
tain temporary defeats, have gone on their knees
TO whisky men, and have said to temperance
men, You defeated us. Now apologize" Never
again, while the sun shines, will Prohibitionists
submit to such insults, nor go through the form
OF apology to the Republican party. They are
sick of such treatment. The Republican party
must be manly and honest in this matter, or it
will be deserted by a body of voters who viii be-
come the nucleus Of a finally victorious party.
The number of good and moral men will not be-
diminished by a change in the names of parties.
My friend says, Isn't that what the Republi-
can party offered you!" Why ''youl" Do you
not style yourself a Prohibitionist Perhaps
you have become one only recently-very re-
Gently. And you ask, why did not your tenn
perance Democrats join the Republican party
and elect enough men to carry that amend
mentF If you desire by that sheer to keep
temperance Democrats from any alliance with
the Republican party, repeat that often
enough and you can do it. Turn to
the files of the Indianapolis Journal for
the week following the election in the fall
of 1882, and you will find oft-repeated the edito-
rial statement that had it not been for the tenn
perance question Indiana would have gone DEM
ocratic by $4,000 majority. believe the Jour-
nal was right. know that thousands of Demo-
Gratis voted the Republican ticket for the first
time in their lives, notwithstanding the not alto
gether groundless fears that they might be-
tricked after all. You cannot afford to sheer at
such men, nor ALLEVIATE Republican Prohibition
lists, all for the sake of the Liquor League,
which is satisfied TO remain where it is.
Had every Republican paper and speaker in
Indiana boldly and clearly advocated submits
sion, y" and then if every Republican in the Gen
eral Assembly had stood like a man on the plat
form, humanity instead of the devil would have
come out on top, and the party would have es~
tablished itself in Indiana for the rest Of the
century. AS it was, a majority of all the mem
bers of the General Assembly voted for submits
sion, although it was killed in the Senate by
votes of a few senators whose names will be re-
membered.
No one can state with certainty that if the
Republican party espouses Prohibition that it
will win this fall. 1t has a better chance by so
doing than if it does not. But if the Republican
party gives it fair and honest treatment, and
stands by it till it succeeds, the party viii de-
serve long life, and will have it. But half-hearted
measures will not succeed. Nor is a support for
this season only" asked or to be tolerated.
My friend believes that 'in time the Repub-
lican party will indorse prohibition" Yes. But
will they do it in June next! This is the ques-
ton. My friend reminds me: In answer to the
statement that both parties indorse prohibition
in Maine, and ought to do so in Indiana. a poll
tician answered me: ut is popular in Maine
You go ahead; go ahead, and when it becomes
popular in Indiana, We'll indorse it here" Is that
the spirit of what is called the partyY7 If SO,
some men choose to vote somewhere else.
ONWARD p. WHALLoN.
VINCENNEs, Ind, March 20.