The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-06
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1855.
A LIVING ISSUE

ing parties for long time took pains
to ignore the question. After many
years. agitation by the pioneer advo.
Gates Of this principle, political con.
Y n.ions, here and there, looking upon
the movement rs troublesome form
of narrow fanaticism. began to snub
it. by introducing resolutions against
''snmptuary laws" In the last presi-
dental campaign the Democratic plat.
form antagonized the principle of pro.
hibition and the Republican platform
quietly ignored it. Leading Republi.
can prollibitionists had become dis.
couraged with separate party move.
ment and hoped for some favorable
recognition of their principle by the
Chicago convention. But they were
again disappointed and thereupon re.
solved 10 organize afresh and ask no
further favors of the Republican
party. Many Republican prohibition.
lists regarded this action as unwise;
many others were in doubt, but finally
fell in line with the old party, on the
plea that 1t is useless to throw away
votes on candidate sure to he defeat.
ed. Enough, however, Joined in the
separate party movement to defeat the
Republican candidates, and then was
the prohibition party ridiculed and
cursed by the Republican press and
Republican leaders from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. st. John was burnt in
effigy; fierce and determined, but In,
efectual efforts were made to ruin his
reputation and his followers were for
ever read out Of the old party. There
was fierce determination in many
quarters to stamp out prohibition,
but the excitement and animcsities
engendred by the presidential election
began to subside. Incorporate poll.
teal zeal is short lived. People began
to feel less on one side and think
more on both sides of the question
according as they were disposed to
calm reflection.
And now, what is the outcome of
all this! The prohibition cause is
stronger to-day than it ever was be.
fore. Indications from all quarters 90
to show that the prohibition sentiment
instead of being crushed out by its
alleged misfortunes of last fall, is
spreading and growing stronger. An
immense Boston audience recently
listened with approval to the sugges.
ton of separate prohibition party,
which it scarcely would have done
three months ago. Only last week the
Michigan senate came within one OF
the required two.thirds vote to submit
q prohibitory amendment to the
people. The st. Paul Pioneer Press
hitherto, a pronounced opponent Of
prohibition, has recently declared that
it would sheath its sword and offer nc
further opposition to the movement
It further says that s'tens of Thousands
who have agreed with the Pioneer
Press in the more moderate policy [oi
high licensel will now accept prohibi
tion." Bishop ireland. of the Catholi,
church, who is not q prohibitionist
says that 'slle has intimated to hi.
people that the abuse If the liquo,
traffic might one day assume such
dreaded proportions and inaict upo1
morality and liberty such deep wound,
that total removal of the cause Of
intemperance might be necessary, and
that consequently whatever privatior
shouldensu to individuals, prohibition
of the manufacture and sale of intoxi
cants might be a national duty" "Hal
that time come!'' says the nobl,
Bishop. II put the question to myself
in all seriousness.
In vain was it heralded far and wild,
after the late presidential election tina
the cause of temperance had a ter
years set back owing to the conduc
of st. John and his followers. The
recent activity of temperance societies
aid the increased number of pr0hibi
ton conventions prove the contrary
Nor is the rapid growth of this senti
ment confined to the Northwest. Al
advance in the movement is reported
at nearly every point of conflict. TAX,
the state of Georgia for example. In
December 1883 fifty.five counties had
adopted prohibition, or ''local option. >
Within the last month the number OF
counties having voted prohibition Ina.
increased to ninety and the battle Il
next to be waged in the city of At
lanta. In Canada the Scott Act i.
winning its way rapidly, especially IL
the western part. the city of Guelph
having lately adopted the act.
We are not attempting an argumen
here for prohibition, but we are en-
deavoring simply to show the drift O
public sentiment on this question
The PIONEER EXPRESS believes tina
the great majority of its readers ar,
disposed to look this movement squar
in the face, however much some o
; them may disapprove it. Whethe
friends or opponents of the movement
they will have a relish for facts.
And here let us say that q larg
portion Of the press Of the country ar
bent on belittling and mfsrepresentin,
the force of this movement. For in
stance, we still hear it asserted an,
reiterated that prohibition has been
failure,in Maine. Let us briefly glane
at a little testimony on the subject
James G Blaine is not prdhibitionist
hut;when inquired of as TO the success
Of prohibition in Maine he replied
L.