West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1885-05-13
PARTY PREJUDICE.
Sustains the Liquor Trffic.

u ldISo pcTtlUu vi tu6 TrOl1D1JlOQ
voters adhere to their old saloon
serving parties can only be account
ed for on the theory of prejudice.
Prejudice sustains and perpetuates
the liquor traffic. Every careful
observer has seen the workings of
this passion in every department
of life. We are all more or less af-
fected by it. Some may think
themselves free but upon close in
spection they are often found to
have a double share of it. The
men who best control their preiu-
dices are those men who are most
sensible of this weakness in them
selves.
Prejudice often affects human
conduct SO as 20 diffuse its poison
throughout the entire feelings of
men, often causing them to seek
darkness rather than light. No
doubt great deal of the opposition
to the Prohibition party is due to
lack of careful study and an I'M
prejudiced search for truth. Let
any believer in the doctrine of Pro-
hibition become familiar with the
true aim and policy of the Prohibit
ton party as compared with the
policies OF the other two dominant
parties and he will become con-
WINGED of the necessity of such a
party to suppress the liquor traffic.
How important it is for any per-
son who desires to do right that
good may come of it, to know and
realize whether he is Influenced by
prejudice or truth and right.
What is it but prejudice that
causes SO many friends of Prohibit
tion to have such an obstinate and
blind attachment to their old par
ties, whose known policies are OPP
posed to Prohibition, and to aid and
abet the liquor traffic? Can any
Prohibitionist give single reason
for supporting these old liquor par
ties. This blind attachment has
caused sad havoc to the cause of
Prohibition. Let us all learn to
conquer and subdue our prejudices,
so that we can see this Prohibition
question in the blazing light of
truth.
If the protested Christians and
Temperance voters of West Vir-
ginia would do their duty in way
consistent with their vows and
professions in the discharge of their
political obligations, and were as
determined for their religion and
our homes as are the distillers and
| brewers to destroy all that we hold
sacred and dear, the time would
soon come when our beloved State
/ would be redeemed from the &C
cursed traffic.
Is it not a lamentable fact that
this gigantic. curse and crime is
fostered and perpetuated in this
our Christian land because of the
party prejudice and bigotry of pro.
Tossing Christians?
If preachers and church people
would stand as faithfully and fear
lessly for religion and Prohibition
as liquor men stand for the saloon
and the devil, the matter would
soon be decided.
Why isit that 30 many ministers
are Withholding their influence
from Prohibition Is it because
they are bound by political ties and
prejudices to one or the other of the
Old liquor parties? When you
mention this matter to them, they
only answer back by saying: "Yes,
Prohibition is all right; there
ought to be some method by which
the scattered forces could be mar
shalled on the right side of this
|question; but 1 don'G believe you
can accomplish much yet awhile.
1 don't like to give up my dear
old party yet. I am a Prohibition
list. I know my party will do moth
ing for temperance. would like
to see it do better; but [ have very
little hope that 1t will ever take
up the cause of Prohibition. But
| will have to vote the ticket this
time. Idon't want the other party
get into power" When Christian
ministers are thus Influenced by
prejudice and political cowardice,
L =.