The Indianapolis journal., 1885-08-25
CURRENT PRESS COMMENT.

ONE of the mysteries of current politics is the
continued existence of the Greenback faction in the
West 1t is easy to understand why certain leaders
desire to keep themselves prominent and with all the
experience that has been furnished it is difficult
appreciate that crankish people may hold on to ex'
ploded views on any topic. The perplexty is in
comprehending how Intelligent American citizens
be got together in numbers sufficient for organiza
ton an issue which, if it had any in it.
has long ceased to be applicable in public affairs,
Boston Herald.
CONSTITUTIONAL amendments establishing prohi-
S 9ition nave never been popular in the Southern
States and, whenever presented they merciess-
ly voted down; but in the South temperance legisa-
ton has taken the form of special enactments prohib
ltlng the sale of liquors in and about towns and
within given distance of schools, asylums and
churches No argument is needed to show
the superiority of this over the Northern plan
Whether as result of it, there is less drinking in
the Southern States is matter that might be profta
bly, investigated-St Louis Globe Democrat
REFORM in politics and in the public service is the
cause of the people and the dissatisfaction of the pol
iticans with the efforts to carry it ont is evidence
of popular dissatisfaction Politicians themselves
are forced to recognize this fact. When delegates
fresh from the people to give expression to par
ty sentiment in conventions # they have been freely
and fairly chosen they do not formulate into plat
forms the grumbings of Office seekers but the convic
tions of their constituents Sagacious leaders them
selves recognize the drift and force of popular sen
ment, and yield to it, however reluctantly in some
cases. OF this we have had some striking Illustrations
Of late. and are in fair way to have as time
passes.-New York Times.
THE experience of nations and of individuals has
order necessary to the existence of what call
civilization 1t matters not what thinks, if he
lives Ill peace in community, he must come to the
regulations adopted for the government of that com
munity. selfish mans object be to secure his
comfort and happiness at the expense of all
Others but the object of government is to secure for
the majority privileges and rights that will result in
the happiness of the greatest numbers The Anarch
lists, the other hand, say that all that religion has
taught, or that legislation has wrought that expe
rience has brought about is wrong 1t is wrong not
because the people at large think but because few
individuals think so.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
WHY do the Prohbitonists want to have candi-
dates of their when they know they cannot be
cessful? There will be good well as bad mon
named for Office this fall by both the great political
parties. The temperance people do much more
i'll the interest of good government by supporting
candidates who worthy of public confidence and
opposing those who are not than by running ticket
OF their own There maybe time when prohibition
will become political issue but 1t certainly is not
one now Until tdoes become one the Prohibtonists
can do much better service to the State the county
and the city by giving their helo worthy candidates
than by putting ticket OF their in the field with
out any chance of success.-Brooklyn Union.
WE are undoubtedly arriving at that point in our
national progress when sweeping reform is necessary
in the matter of burying the dead TIE scandal that
all men are beginning to fear in connection with the
expenses of the Grant funeral is only a larger illus
tration of smaller instances equal in demoralizng
power. 1t is no secret anywhere that the pomp and
ceremony attendant upon the burial cost
twice thrice what they worth, and it is equally
well known that families who but i'll afford such
display from false motives yet endeavor to initiate it.
All over the country the same eXtravagances are ap
parent, and it is probably fortunate thing for all
people that the Grant exercises made such extrava-
gances particularly nspicuous-Phiadelphia Times.
THIRTY years ago there not many people who
looked for any practical outcome for Aboltionsm In
the eyes of even such as sympathized with their OBJ
ject, the active Abotionists then generally
garded impractical Yet in the life of a single gem
Grafton immense advance has been made that it
is difficult to-day to realize that slavery -four
ished with the consent and approval Of the Nation.
The abolition of war is indeed much more onerous
than that mott
at all probable that it could be brought about save
through the most gradual processes. But if Chris
tiany is really the religion of the highest races and
if they to endeavOr to live up it. it is OBJ
vous that must be condemned totally in theory,
and that time be looked forward to when prac
tice be harmonized with precept. The peace So
cieties meantime facilitating the advent of that
day the best of their ability by educating the public
conscience.-New York Tribune.