The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-06-12

cured IL through the actiOn OF the ne
publican party. In no State is there
any trouble for lack of legislation. In
every State, however strongly prohibi-
tory,-in Maine, in Kansas, in Iowa.
legislation is in advance of public senti-
ment. There is, therefore, no need of
third party to enact laws; there is
need of instruction and influence to
bring people up to the standard of the
party OF the first part, the Republican
party-in the character and intelligence
of its individual members, in the eleva-
ton OF its aims, in the purity of its
methods, and the success of its accom-
plishments, the noblest party ever de-
veloped by free institutions for the de-
Tense of free institutions, and never no
bier than now in its temporary defeat
by an unexpected betrayal.
Again. the Liberty party did not, as
is so often claimed. nominate Fremont
or elect Lincoln. The Liberty party did
exactly what the Prohibition party has
done-made shy at everything and ac-
complished nothing. The Liberty party
started out to abolish slavery. The
Prohibition party started out to abolish
drunkenness. The Liberty party made
no Roadway at all, and in eight years
gave up the ghost. II the Prohibition
party has made Roadway, 1t is in the
way. of broken head. Slavery was
finally abolished on the line of mo
more extension of slave territory" cor
responding exactly to the prohibition
of Dr.. Crosby and DR.. Thayer, and
others who would break up the saloon
business. The only lesson that the Bir-
ney movement teaches to the Prohibi-
ton party is the uselessness of its ex-
istence; the only presage is a speedy
dissolution.
So far as there is parallelism, the
lesson is not less disastrous The can
didacy of Mr.. Birney defeated Mr.. Clay
and elected Mr.. Polk, and thus brought
about the Mexican war, with its de-
moralization, its loss of life, and the
subsequent acquisition of territory from
Mexico for the upbuilding of more
slave States. Over this war-won
territory came the struggle for the Will
mot prOviso, scarcely allayed by the COM
promises of 1850, with their infamous
Fugitive-Slave law. 1t was the courage
of these successive victories that en-
bOldened the South to break down the
Missouri compromise of 1920. to press
the Supreme Court into the service of
slavery by practically taking it under
the protection of the National Govern
ment. till one daring tyranny after an
other aroused the country and elected
President pledged to resist the spread
OF slavery into the National territory.
Then the South, arrogant with the six
teen years Of power that Mr.. Birney's
candidacy had granted them. drew the
sword, and it was not sheathed until
nine thousand millions of money had
been blown into powder, until five hum
dred thousand young men, the best and
bravest, were east into bloody graves.
and million more. wasted and
wounded. were left to a languishing
life. This is the path on which the
ProhIbitiOnists have started. Do they
mean to follow it? They have en-
throned the Demon of unrestricted
drink 1t is not impossible that they
may give him d ruinous rule of sixteen
years as their eNemplars gave to the
Demon of Slavery But the way is not
less bitter: the goal Is not less bloody.
millions of treasure will be poured
out in hbafiOn to 8 deadlier MolOch
than war More than the half million
men who sleep In honored graves will
sink to graves of dishonor. When a
race, of drunkards has been reared, will
it be easier to- fight and conquer dis
eased appetite2 VIII moral suasion be
more potential with a population be-
sOtted by free. rum, than with one par
TALLY redeemed from the tyranny of al
cohol by agencies always opposed by
the Democratic party? Is it indeed the
only way of converting the world to
Christ, to give, the devil supreme con-
troll for half generation?
The effect OF such action is not. I'M
a matter of pure speculation.
Its disastrous results are, unhappily.
not the mere forebodings of disappoint-
ment. In a smaller sphere similar
experiment has, been carried to actual
In Maine. Prohibitionists,
not satisfied with the manner in which
the. Republicans embodied their princi-
pies, put up separate tickets of their
OWN. and in MANN instances succeeded.
in electing Democratic candidates. How
great is the mischief that even a small
vote may do, is clearly seen in the mu-
nicipal election OF Portland. March 2.
1885. Although the enforcement of the
State. law is in the hands of local
officers, ami may be made dead
letter or, a. terror to evil-doers..
according to- their sentiments.
and although the Republican party in
Il, H., Il
anGe. reform ever since temperance re-
TORN, was organized, while the Demo-
cratic. party has been openly and dis
.inctively opposed to it, still third
ticket was put in the field. 1t received
,niy Alb ont of the 1888 votes cas:s
but that small vote was enough to,ppe-
fent an election, and the Democratic
for Mayor lacked ONLY 3s.
votes. of plurality. Inc Portland,
therefore. practically, free rum IS il.
he ascendancy, by the action of tbs
party. So late as April ..
1881. an Inspector in the interests OF
,rohihli0n reports that any person can
ind dram shop or bar-room,withont
asking the aid of friend A recena
our OF observation through Portlan4
AlOWtd tn~As suctt, dt icuSt, houuN Mu1
,re;ense Ut secrecy is Kept up.
open doors regularly arranged
1ars of aecanters could be. seen, with
mem drinking in front of them. For
he higher classes, the hotels scarcely
hide in their easements their elegantly
furnished drinking-rooms- Drug shops
'carcely disguise their liquors behind
heir soda fountains. No Introduction
S required. All these places are
.asy enough of access. Wide
Ire the gates and breed tina
yayS that lurp and Lad tn fey heath