The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-08-07
Prohibition in Politics.

In s'off years"'like this, when there
is a languid Interest in party questions
and party allegiance is lightly observed
by multitudes of voters, irregular polit-
ical organizations make the greatest show
of strength. There are signihcant
signs that in several States the Prohloi-
tionists are preparing for a campaign
OF extraordinary activity. ln the last
Presidential contest wide gap was
made in he alliance, offensive and de-
fensive. that had hitherto existed be
tween the Republicans and Prohibition
lists. The followers Of st. John have
not forgotten the abuse that was heaped
on their candidate when his nomination
threatened to defeat Blaine. nor The
rage OF the Republican press when he
defeat Of Blaine, through the loss OF
Prohibition votes, was accomplished IN
New York. Traitor, cOTruptiOnist aud
coward were among the mildest epithets
that were bestowed upon the cold water
candidate by the organs of the defeated.
IL the Pr0hibitiOnists we're ever so much
disposed TO forget and forgive, they
have not been allowed to do so, and ev-
/ cry occasion is seized to show the hatred
and contempt OF the Republicans for
/ their ancient allies. Gail Hamilton 8
recent TRADE in the North American
/ ReUielC expressed the angry feelings
| not only of the political family TO which
she belongs but of the Republican lead
! ers.
So far from meekIy submitting, the
l ProhibitiOnists are marshaling their
[ forces to avenge their champion and
4 their cause. In New York, where they
/ have maintained a vigorous organiZa-
/ ton, they will hold a Convention on the
1 Sth of Septem Der and nominate candl-
/ date for Governor, with full State
/ ticket. AS an evidence of the activity
| with which they mean to prosecute the
| campaign they are making preparations
| for holding a thousand public meetings.
/ Last year st. Johns vote was 25,OOO IN
! New York. and the estimate of the Pro-
( hibitionists that they will more than
/ double his vote in this election may be
| regarded as very moderate. As the
/ bulk of this vote will come from the
| Republicans, their sOlicitude concerning
! the movements of the Prohibition party
! in New York is easily explained. The
! gain of Democrats who are irIitated by
| President Cleveland's civil service re-
! form policy affords small promise of
making up to the Republicans the heavy
/ loss which is inevitable from the Pro-
leaders have come to the conclusion that
conciliatOTy tactics would have been
better than denunciatiOn and abuse.
| But it is too late for Cancellation. The
wounds that have been inflicted on the
I PrOhibitiOnists are too fresh ard too
deep for any salving appliances.
In Ohio the Prohibition campaign has
begun with the nomination for Cover
nor, and a full State ticket. The Re-
publican organs. with the Cincinnatti
Commercial Gazette in the lead, have
opened a furious personal assault on the
Prohibition candidate. whose only re-
spOnse has been a challenge to Judge
Foraker to discuss the questions of the
campaign IN a joint debate. Such dis
cussion of the points of difference be
tween the Republicans and the ProhiSi-
tiOnists of Ohio on the temperance ques
tion would be highly interesting bu'
Judge Foraker wisely declined the chal
lenge. In planting themselves on tht
Scott law. which has been declared un-
constitutional by the Ohio Supreme
Court. the Republicans fail to cOnciliatt
the ProhibitiOnists while they incur th'
hostility of the beer interest. Tn'
Prohibition vote in Ohio last year wa
only a little more than HOOD, whPI
7 Biaine's plurality was upward of 81 ,OO
votes. But the Ohio Prohibitionist
are cheered by the consideration tha
this is an ''off year" in which the issu
which they are pressing will Overshad
} ow all other questions. Governor Hoad
! " will be again the Democratic candi
: date, and Notwithstanding his reCen
blunders If looks, IN the present stag
of the contest, as if the PrOhihitlOnist
would draw off enough votes to Civ
T him an easy victory. That the Obi
t / PIOhibiUiOnists will accomplish anything
else by their movement il is not easy t
, see. Bnt revenge is sometimes swee
! even to the sober devOtees of cold water
] -PbIddeIpbid Record.