Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-09
PROHIBITION AND POLITICS.
From q Latter by Bishop s. N. Mer-
rII in the Chicago lnter-Ocoan.

There are two methods of prece.
dure open to the friends of prohi-
bition. The one is with and the other
| is without separate political organiza-
ton. Which is the preferable! Un-
doubleday that which promises the
permanent success of the cause in the
shortest time and with the least fric.
ton and acimosity. 1t may be that
some cherish the conjecture that both
methods substantially can be en-
ployed; but this is delusion. II we
adopt the party method we must adj
here TO 1t, and make 1t successful by
party methods, or we must fail.
There is no such thing &c securing the
sympathy and cooperation of the
good men in other parties without in
ducing them to abandon their party
aft citations and join the new party
which we propose for them. 1t needs
no argument to show that this in an
undertaking of such magnitude that
generations will be required to accom-
plish it.
The usual argument in favor of this
method is that the separate party or
ganization was successful in the old
contest with slavery. This is unsup-
ported assumption. The separate
party vote only strengthened the hold
of the proslavery power, and gave 1t
such assured control of the govern
ment as to intensity the contempt 1t
entertained for the opposition. The
separate party did not succeed. Provi-
dence interposed, circumstances chang.
ed. old party lines were disrupted and
the slave power was broken by infiu-
ences which no man ca trace to any
separate political organization. The
analogy is not complete: The prece-
dent does not apply. The fallacy is
manifest. 1t remains that no great re-
form, involving moral elements, has
ever been successfully carried out in
this country through the agency of
separate organization. One of the
serious objections to this plan is that
il cannot concentrate the temperance
sentiment of the country. In spite OF
fate and good affections it will ALLEVIATE
men BY hundreds aud thousands
whose moral instincts and right and
whose influence might be secured for
prohibition on any other plan than
that which simply appeals to their con-
sciences as men, as citizens and chris
tons.
The battle is too great to be fought
by factions. 1t requires union, wis.,
dom and prudence, as well as courage
and patience. The prohibition party
i'm its party organization includes only
about three per cent. OF the prohioi.
ton sentiment. The vote 1t casts Will
not amount to that much. In the state
of Ohio, for instance, the direct vote
for constitutional prohibition was
1928 900, while the vote for the county
candidates was about IL 900. This Is
less than three per cent, and the pro-
portion is no better in other places.
In such leading prohibition states as
Kansas and Iowa, the ratio is much
smaller. 1t is mere faction. Its lead
ers are earnest and Jealous, but they
do not command the following needed
for success. Modesty is virtue which
IN itself is not less beautiful because
the leaders of this faction fail to culti-
vate it. 1t is not to be assumed that
wisdom is always with majorities, but
it is scarcely to believed that this very
small majority in the ranks OF Prohl-
billion has acquired a monopoly OF
this grace. In the multitudes OF the
non-partisan friends of the cause there
are some whose judgments ought to
entltie them to respect, yet in the
clamor of politicians all voices are
drowned which do not shout the
praises of the management"
Constitutional provisions should
never be made the basis of party or
gauizations. The organic law OF the
state and nation ought to have the
support of the patriotic citizens IN all
parties. The only way to secure this
end is to avoid thrustiug platforms
into the constitution. Prohibition OF
the liquor traffic cannot be permanent
till 1t is in the constitution, and 1t can
not 20 into the constitution as par
ty measure. 1t is too broad for
party. Like the fundamental princi-
piles of the government, it must be the
common ground of the better classes
and parties: like the common school
system, it touches interests too vital
| to the common veal to be made the
football of politicians. Parties divide
on interpretations of the constitution,
| not on the constitution itself. Inter-
pretations form politics, and party is
sues relate to politics. This is the le-
gitimate battlefield of politics. But
there is realm of principle beyond
the conflicts of parties, where the NOR
al character of the government rests
upon the foundation of right-wherc
the enduring elements of Christian
civilization crystalize into organic law.
To that broad realm of essential
right this question of prohibition must
come. Another serious objection to
the party feature is that it renders 1t
inexpe 1ient and improper for the
churches to take an active part in the
adyocaccv of the cause that is desir-
able.
In a word, then, the writer, after
forty years of active work in the tenn
perance cause, and as an advocate OF
every measure that promises restric-
ton TO the liquor traffic, and looking
with grateful appreciation, deeply re.
grets the efforts TO remove this great
question from its proper place in the
churches, the homes, the schools and
the bipartisan gatherings of the peo-
pie, and its identification with polit-
ical party where his own, aud hun
dreds of thousands of other voices
must be hushed or uninfuential for
good. He protests in the inter-
est of the cause itself-a cause
which has been sacred to him since
chiIdhood-a cause which is higher
and holier than any party, and broad
err than any political platform. lie
would never ask any existing party to
adopt 1t as a party measure, and
would never cucumber it with party
organization. Hundreds Of thousands
in both the old parties will vote for
prohibition, but will not 90 out OF
their parties to do it. Wise manage
ment will hold it where appeal will be
made to men to support it, regardless
of party, on the broad ground Of NOR
atty, humanity and utility, remember
ing that two-thirds of the real legisla.
ton of the country is nom partisan in
| its character, and that it is mistake
to suppose that this great measure
must have political party behind il
to make il success.
.
| ~.sa -,NXEr