West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1885-01-14
WEST VIRGINIA FREEMAN
Simon Pure PrOhibitienists.
sED. FREEMAN:

If I am not mistaken, the FREE
MAN was intended to be prohibi-
ton paper, and I am of opinion
that it intends to be a prohibition
paper. l thought the mission of
the FREEMAN was known to every
body. Especially did l. think that
all prohibitionists understood its
policy and work. 1t seems, how
ever, that there are prohibitionists
who insist that the paper shall be
democratic first and prohibition
next, if it can. 1t must not let its
prohibition proclivities lead it in
to fighting against democratic
nominees, nor must it push for
ward its prohibition work, if that
conflicts with the interests of the
democratic party. On the other
hand; there are prohloitlonlsts who
insist that the FREEMAN shall ex-
ert itself to advance the interests
of the republican party. If it does
not hurrah for repu blican nomi-
nees, and take an active part In
every partisan republican move
ment to put the democrats out Of
power in our State, then it fails 20
do its duty If it refuses to work for
a ticket put out by a partisan po-
litical convention, too cowardly or
too corrupt to put prohibition in
it's platform, or which puts it in
simply to catch prohibition votes
without any intention of espousing
or maintaining prohibition itself,
then it is a traitor, a hypocrite,
then it is ION the fence" it is cow
ardly, it is-goodness knows what
oil,
What sort of prohibiJionists are
these, any how, who insist that the
FREEMAN shall be partisan first, and
prohibition afterwards? What
sort of prohibitionists are they who
cannot see that the work of the pa
per will not allow it to support
any man, ticket, platform, or party,
unless neutrality-suspicious. pure
prohibition-is made the sincere,
prominent, permanent, clean-cut
issue, not mere rider" or blind,
or bait? What sort OF prohibition
lists are they who complain if the
paper is so intently, consistently,
and intensely prohibition that it
will push its work, although partl-
san organizations are smashed,
partisan nominees defeated, and
partisan schemes brought to grief?
Let the FREEMAN stick to pro-
hibition, and simon-pure prohibit
tionists will stick to it.
The FREEMAN will doubtless al
ways do as it pleases and manage
it's own course. But | will go its
security that, if ever any party in
West Virginia hangs out the pro-
hibition banner in good faith,
meaning to keep 1t there, the paper
will show no treachery, no hypocri-
sy, no cowardice. 1t will not be
con the fence" 1t will be in the
front and thickest of the fight.
Let us all examine ourselves
whether we be in the faith. | am
afraid that, if we put the democrat
ic party, or the republican party,
or any other mere party, above pro-
hibition, we are not simon-pure
prohibitionists. | am fearful that,
if we get angry because prohibition
runs across our partisan nominees,
we are not true blue prohibition
lists. 1 am afraid that, if we do not
see that prohibition must be press
ed to the front and kept at the front,
not in word merely, but in deed
also, we are not wise prohibition
lists. | am afraid if we abandon the
work and refuse to "have anything
more to do with prohibition, be-
cause" &C., &C., &C., we are not
well, not prohibitionists at all. In
short, if these things are true, or
any of them, l am afraid that we
shall never have the honor of win
ming the great victory over the
liquor traffic, that is coming as
sure as God reigns in heaven.
What we want is consistency, and
"back BONE"
These are my opinions, and no.
body is compelled to endorse them.
P. B. REYNOLDS.