The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-14
Attitude of the Temperance Question.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal
Your recent efforts in the misunderstanding and
discouragng of the formation of third party
and the putting of a third ticket in the field are
laudable, and should be crowned with success
There is no occasion for it. All issues on which
men divide may be, and ought to be, embodied
in the platforms of the two great parties, and let
the two have the field, and let men honestly de-
eide between the two. No temperance organiza-
ton desires to form an independent party. The
men who are Prohibitionists have voted, for the
main part, with the Republican or Democratic
parties, and desire to vote on all the questions
involved in the coming campaign. The Grand
Temperance Council is determined to have no
separate political action if it can be avoided,
and whether it can be avoided or not rests with
the two State conventions that meet next sum
mer to form the platforms of the two great par
ties. Thousands of men have determined to
have prohibition of the liquor traffic in Indiana.
They are determined to vote for it, and to vote
for no party who are not sound on this
question from henceforth. Whatever party
leaders may think or say, here they stand and
will stand Thousands of them have affixed
their names to a call for State convention, to
be held only after both the two party conven
tons, and only in they fail to take the posi-
ton desired. These thousands of men stand
thus on principle, for home, for morality, for the
are not myths. They are not towards. They
are not imbeciles. They are men of opinions, of
character, of principle. They are not led about
by the nose by Democrats nor by Republicans.
They will not vote for the Democratic ticket I'M
less that party changes its relations with the
liquor league, and comes out fair and square for
the right They will not vote for the Repub
lican ticket unless that party gives stronger as
SuranceS than it died two years age. only to dis
honor andbreak them ii the persons of the three
Republican senators who voted to not submit
the amendment.
This is the simple statement of fact that
may just as well be taken into consideration by
central committees and conventions in estimat-
ing the probabilities of success or defeat. Here
is a body of voters, lawabiding intelligent,
moral men, who have no desire to be alienated,
but who are ready to let the Republican party,
as party, go to the bottom of the sea ere they
will vote for it again if it does not set itself
right as to prohibition. Cali them fanatics,
short-sighted, fools, but remember that they are
voters, and that they will not vote save as prin-
ciple permits and that few thousand votes will
count next fall for the State and for the United
States
Prohibtionists do not threaten. They are
very quiet 1t may be well for the parties to
know in time Just what they mean. 1t might
be u good thing not to have prohibition in poll
tics; but the whisky league took it there and
are keeping it there by their high-handed meas
ures. Prohibitonsts do not intend to vote
alongside of whisky leaguers for the measures
they are promoting
1t would be immeasureably better if matter
so affecting the very life of the community
could be taken out of politics. This they are
doing measurably in the South and in Maine by
all parties uniting in favor of prohibition. But
how can it DO taken out of politicsl 1t must be
voted for if it becomes part of our State Con
stitution. A majority of our citizens in Indiana
would vote for prohibition if permitted, at
special election. This the whisky league know.
They have, therefore, resolved to prevent any
such vote ever being taken. Shall the people
of Indiana stand tamely by and say, 80 mote it
be. Anything TO keep this sacred cause out Of
politcsl' No, it is in politics and will stay there
until it is settled Unsettled questions forbid
repose to nations or 20 parties.
EDWARD p. WHALLEN
VINcENNEs IND, March II.