The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-01
HOW TO WIN.
Objections to Organizing Third Party.

every interest of the state, of society, of the
family and of the individual and is a most
formidable barrier to the success of the Cos
pei. It should therefore enlist the intense
hostility of every christian and every philan-
thropist. Hence I feel yearning anxiety to
see this hostile and destructive power out
lawed and destroyed, and SO far as this can
not be accomplished, to see it crippled and
contracted suppressed in part where it can
not be entirely, and every partial success as a
step toward its ultimate overthrow. Nor am
| careful about the means. I fear some Pro-
hibitionists are SO angry with the parties they
have left that they care more about seeing
them crippled than about the success of pro-
hibition. But we will never win on that line.
If it could be secured through a third party
Called third | suppose because Mr.. Parsons
received more votes than Mr. Urner) I say
amen with all my heart. fully believe it
would be safer, if we could have choice to
take the question out of the arena of party
politics But l want prohibition and am
ready for any plan that will secure it. I es-
pecially desire to see prohibition in New
Jersey, but on the line of third party I
fully believe that I might reach hundred
years and yet die without the sight. Many
radical laws have been enacted in different
states but not one of them on that line, and
confess | do not see anything in the past,
present or prospective condition of the cause
in this state, that encourages me to hope for
success here that could not be gained elsewhere.
And not only is there no temperance prece-
dent for this kind of success, but there is
none on any other issue.
illusions to the slavery issue as furnishing
precedent are fallacious. When our gov
eminent was first organized all united upon
Washington. Since then parties have existed,
bat there have never been but two at any one
time that were in position to compete for
! the control of the government with any show
of probable success. Nor has one of these
parties ever been crowded out and substituted
by side issue. Large votes have been cast
on such issues Governors, national and
state Legislators, and once in one state, presi-
dental electors have been chosen. But no
instance of permanent success can be named.
The Wing party died for lack of support be-
cause it tried to carry water on both shoulders
and hence failed to satisfy either pro OF anti
slavery voters. But it was out of the way be-
fore the Republican party came into the field
The two parties never ran candidates at the
same presidential campaign. Mr. Parsons,
in the GAZETTE of January 18th, quotes Mr..
Summer as saying, 'Our party is a perma-
nent national party. We have become party
distinct, independent, permanent, under the
name of the Free Democracy" Distinct, in
dependent, permanent, are high-sounding
words. But what president, governor, legls-
lature did the Free Democrats ever elect
How long did this permanent organization
last? The Wing party dissolved and there
was room for a new and successful party.
But the Free Democracy did not expand into
it nor the Free Soil, anti-Nebraska, nor any
other party. The anti-slavery men of all
parties united in forming the Republican
party. But it was not founded on the basis OF
the Free Democracy. Its aim was the extlr-
patton of slavery while the Republican party
only proposed TO prevent its extension And
this idea so permeated the party that ON the
eve of the rebellion its leaders agreed to the
Crittenden compromise which proposed to
guarantee the integrity of slavery in the old
slave states. Indeed the attempt to vote the
abolition doctrines into power proved signal
failure Slavery was abolished as war
measure; the rebels struck it its death blow
when they rebelled, nor is there anything to
indicate that it would not have been living
to-day if its overthrow had depended on po-
litical action. 1t is certain the Republican
party would not have destroyed it for it did
not even propose to do SO. The destruction
of the rum power, therefore, can only be a
parallel to the destruction of slavery, ON the
superstition that when crowded the rumites
will rebel and the sword will accomplish this
desired result.
Mr. Sumner is also quoted as saying, DE
irving instruction from enemies, let us also be
taught by the slave power" And yet this is
just the opposite of what Mr.. Sumner led the
way in trying to do. The slave power never
organized a new political party. 1t seized
control of those already in existence while
Mr.. Summer and company made the futile at
tempt to destroy slavery by forming new
political party. Let Prohibitlonists follow
Mr.. Summers advice but not his example.
Putting the rum power in place of the slave
power, we will do wisely by deriving instruc-
ton from our enemies. How perfectly WIS.,
ionary is this attempt to vote the rum power
down by means of a third party! In Ohio
over $685. 900 were counted for the amend
ment These votes came from men of all
parties, Democrats, Republicans, Greenback-
ers, third party men, all joined in non-par-
tsan issue. What folly to dream of all these
voters leaving the parties with which they
affiliate in order to unite in party on the
one issue. Plead if you will that it over
shadows all others. Be it So but the mass of
voters don't so accept it. Insist that all good
men ought thus to unite. Still they have
not, are not doing so now, nor do indications
point in that direction. And yet when
third party becomes formidable it wiz be
fought as party, and the issue it eElbodies
will be fought by all parties. AS balance
of power, parties that are strong enough to
maintain ascendency by the aid of our votes,
will do our bidding in order to gain them, as
in all cases where radical measures have sue
| cnndnd in the mast Ruf q third marty ean