The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-06

If the flag of the Democratic par
ty had been run up over the Prohi-
bition Convention recently in scs-
sion in Pittsburg, it would correctly
represent the sentiment of that con-
vention aud the men by whom it
was managed and controlled. Mas
querading under the white banner
Of prohibition, leading Democrats of
the country have organized and cap
tured convention whose professed
purpose is the promotion OF temper
ance, whose real purpose is the de
feat of the Republican party. The
so-called National Prohibition con-
vention turns out to be a Democrat
ie movement in disguise. There
were undoubtedly some well mean
ing temperance people among the
delegates, but they have been inn
posed upon, and, unconscious of the
fraud, have been used to strike at
the very interests they profess to
hold most dear. Flushed by the
success they have already obtained,
these Democratic masqueraders
make no secret of their designs, but
openly boast that they have captur-
ed convention and turned it into
Democratic ally. 1t is well known
in Pittsburg that Democrats stand
behind the whole movement that
they are responsible for having the
convention called that they have
paid the expenses of many OF the
delegates, and that they are manipu-
lating all its proceedings, with view
to the damage it can do to the Re
publican party. The moving spirits
at the convention from the west are,
B. Gratz Brown, of Missouri, Demo-
cratic candidate for the Vice Presi-
dency in 1872; NJ. V. B. Bennett,
the notorious copperhead of Kansas,
and Colonel John B. Finch, the well
known Democrat, of Nebraska. The
leading men from the east are also
Democrats, and the majority Of the
delegates belong to the same party.
1t is significant fact that the states
of Iowa, Maine and Georgia, in fact,
all of the states with the exception
of Kansas, in which prohibition is
being extensively tried, were given
no representation in the convention.
Even that veteran worker in the
temperance cause, Hon. Hiram
Price, of Iowa, was contemptuously
denied hearing by the men who
profess to be working for cause
which he has honored through a
lifetime of useful service. The con-
trolling spirit of the convention was
bent on the defeat of the Republican
party. The convention yesterday
nominated for the Presidency John
Past. John, a soured and disap-
pointed politician, who, having en-
joved as long as he could the favors
and honors of the Republican party,
now tries to betray it when ii can
no longer serve his selfish purposes.
1t is well that these Democratic al
lies have shown their purpose thus
early in the campaign. They can
do little harm now. The Republican
party was never intended to meet
its death at the hands of spies and
traitors. If it had been it would
have died long ago. The only sub
ject for regret is the cause of temper
ance itself. 1t must necessarily be
injured by these foes who steal its
livery. But let it be known far and
wide that the Pittsburgh convention
is only second Democratic conven-
ton under false colors, and justice
then viii be done to all, and to none
more than the truest and strongest
friends of temperance.-Des Moines
Register Pro July %.