The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-24
State Prohibition Convention.

A period of very important bearing
upon the Temperance Cause in Missis-
sippi will occur at the State Capital on
Wednesday, the first day of July next.
All previous temperance conventions in
our State have been called and held
rather as experiments. Temperance
workers desired to come together to look
each other in the face, to measure their
strength and to project plans for future
procedure. Their demands were very
modest, as they scarcely realized that
they were of sufficient importance to
make demands.
Now, however, the temperance move
ment in Mississippi has reached the
point of respectaollity in the mum
ber, as well as in the talent and stand
ing of its followers. Counting its ad-
herents from all parties and condi-
tions, from all races and colors, there is
scarcely doubt, if its interests could be
unified, and line of action agreed
upon, enlisting the cordial cooperation
of the whole, that the balance of power
is in its hands
If, however, for want of wisely ma
tured plans and the prevalence of con-
servative counsel, a policy should be
adopted by the majority, which would
create factions, then the cause would be
shown of It's power, at least, temporarily.
These thoughts show very plainly the
vast Importance of the State Prohibi-
ton Convention soon to meet. Very
much depends upon its attitude towards
the political parties already existing; or
upon the question whether it shall form
political party of It's own.
1t is manifest that there are lead
ing prohibitionists in the State, who
declare that prohibition political party
is necessity, that prohibition is already
in politics and it is there to stay, until
it has accomplished the purposes of
prohibition.
There are, on the other hand, temper
ance men of equal prominence and in
teligence, who deprecate the formation
of a separate party, and declare that ii
will be suicidal. 1t is quite probable
that this latter class outnumbers the
other, for the very reason that men be-
come prohibitionists not with any refer
ence to politics and tina: therefore, they
want to keep out of politics until abso
lutte necessity forces them into 1t.
Now, to harmonic these views and to
get their advocates to agree upon a
course of action which would enlist the
enthusiastic cooperation of both sec
tions, will be the crowning work of the
convention.
Whatever may be the necessity of the
future, evidently, now there is no sufii-
cient reason for the formation a third
party. Prohibitionists don't want Office
as such they want to abolish the traffic
in liquor; if they can succeed in their
purpose, they are content to hold on to
their old party affiliations, and let others
do the same. Their success up to date
is as great as the most sanguine could
hope for: let them not discount their
advantages by impatiently entering
upon doubtful expedients. If they can
only avoid damaging differences among
themselves, and move forward quietly,
but firmly, as before, their purpose is
accomplished, and alcohol is doomed.
Therefore, let safe counsels prevail in
the approaching convention; let the
committee on resolutions be composed
of the wisest and most judicious men
and let platform be adopted so broad
as to include all creeds and callings, yet
so narrow as to give whisky men no
room for the sole of their feet.