San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-10-02
A Few Words TO Prohlbltionists.

We are asked by many readers our
Judgment as to the policy or running
separate prohibition ticket in the
several States. In the interest of
prohibition we answer: In those
States where either one of the two
great parties has incorporated prohibi-
ton in it's platform and made it q
part of it's settled policy, and especi-
ally where that party is in power and
is carrying out the principles of
prohibition, 1T would be, in our judg-
ment, a suicidal course to organize a
third and distinct prohibition party.
This would be to give political cast
to the temperance reform that bodies
no good for,it. The adoption of such
policy would show the dominance
of the office-seeking element, which
is simply using prohibition as a
means to effect it's own aggrandlze-
ment. The practical effect of such a
course would be the defeat Of the
party through which temperance
Legislation has been effected, and the
success of the party that is hostile to
prohibition. Not to see this is to be
too blind to be entrusted with the
leadership of great cause.
AS to the National Prohibition tick
ct, it may serve good purpose in
accommodating those voters who
cannot conscientiously support either
of the other candidates. But let no
one suppose that the henumber of votes
cast for st. John and Daniels will
measure, adequately, the strength of
the prohibition sentiment of this
country. We warn the enemies of
prohibition now in advance against
any such mistake. We have no doubt
they will secure a much larger vote
than has ever been cast before for
prohibition; but there are thousands
and tens of thousands of sincere
prohibitionists who will vote with
other parties, on other issues, believ-
ing that they cannot help prohibition
by different course. Whether right
in this or not, affects not the fact.
This brings us to the point that we
have frequently made, that the only
way to secure the full prohibition
vote, is topresent that single issue to
the people, uncompromised and un-
hampered by anything else. That is
the reason we have from the first Civ
en- our hearty support to the policy
of Constitutional amendment. That
process may be said to involve three
distinct and successive issues as
follows:
l. Shall the people be allowed to
decide whether they want prohibition
or mott Are the voters of any State
competent to form their organic law
to suit themselves That is the first
issue, and it need not be mixed up
with anything else. 1t is the ques-
ton of submission, and must be deci-
ded by our State legislatures.
2. This amendment submitted,
the issue then is, and the sole issue
shall prohibition become the settled
policy OF this State, by being engraft- |
ed into the Constitution : The vote
on that issue will bring out the full
strength of prohibitionists-
3. Supposing that after a thorough |
canvass the people decide in favor Of
prohibition and make it a part Of
their organic law, then the next and
final issue is, shall the constitutional
be carried out : Shall We
enforce the lawf
Here is a clear, straightforward line
Df work for prOhi5ihOnists in those
States that have not enacted q prohibi-
tOry movement In Kansas and
Iowa, the friends Of prohibition and
IF law and order, have progressed 50
ar hs the third issue aud are nov
trapping with the question Of carry
ng out the viii of the people, ss
IN constitutional and statu- .
,oTT enactneuts
Wherever one q tbs eristing par
iss VII espo1ss TIE oauss q prolibi-
io1- Il would Be better- IN cur J1dg-
osnt. for prohib6Ouists b sssk %
.fect The necessary lerisiatiol