National Republican., 1885-12-16
Tn, Prohibition Moyement.
New York SUM-


From the manner and the methods with
which the prohibition movement is pushed,
north and south, there 10 some possibility
that 1t will become an element In the next
presidential contest, II the managers can
succeed In forcing the issue on the regular
party conventions.
The aggregate vote for st. John last year
was only l6f,S0S In total Of 10.0is,G6l.
This small fraction appears triding for po-
litical capital, but IL Is more than twice as
large as the Blrney vote was In 1874, aud
that defeated Henry Clay.
Mr.. st. John had scattering support In
thirty-four OF the thirty-eight states. Tens
OF thousands OF temperance men did not
vote for him, because they saw no possibility
OF his election, and they therefore put what
Is called the moral issue temporarily aside,
and voted according to their preferences for
Cleveland or for Blaine. But even with this
apparently insignificant aggregate, the Pro-
hibitiouists actually held the balance Of
power In four states, and they might have
determined the presidential election by ex-
ercising II against Mr.. Cleveland, as will be
seen by the figures:
In Connecticut Mr.. Cleveland's plurality
was 1884 and Mr.. st. Johns vote 2,494.
In New Jersey Mr.. Cleveland's plurality
was 4,4l2, aud Mr.. st. Johns vote 6,l53.
In New York Mr. Clevelands plurality
was ,047, and Mr. st. Johns vote 25,00l.
In Michigan Mr.. Blainc's plurality was
3,30S, and Mr.. St. Johns vote 1S,403.
These figures have certain significance
which sagacious politicians will not be apt
to disregard. Small organizations are
much more easily handled than large ones,
especially when they rost upon a moral
conviction or sentimental idea. They gen.
orally move In solid column and do their
work effectively. Their leaders do not
allow modesty to interfere with propaganda
ism. Every man of them is an active
apostle Of the cause. They now intend TO
interrogate candidates for state and for
national offices upon temperance, and TO
make that question the test In all close
cases. Hence small numbers may, by
adroit management, be made to count as
decisive factors in states and cities where
the old parties are almost equally divided
In strength.
The growth Of this movement since last
November is surprising, us exhibited In the
elections In Ohio, New York, and elsewhere.
The recent contest In Atlanta is perhaps the
most remarkable that has occurred In the
history VI this organization. The question
presented was plainly for or against local
option in the county OF Fulton. The tenn.
perance people carried the day by small
majority against the commercial interests
OF Atlanta, after most exciting struggle,
In which the clergy Of nearly all denomlna-
tlons, women, and blacks and whites. en-
gagged and fraternized, without regard to
race, according 10 their sentiments for or
against the traffic In liquor
! More than two-thirds OF the counties OF
Georgia have decided for local option, and
the temperance reformers are bent on con
quenng the remaining opposition.
Alabama is largely affected by the move
ment, and T. has extended into South Car
olina and North Carolina, and win be in
troduced into the coming legislature OF Vir.
ginia by bills for local option. II is ex-
tending through the west, and the votes
for st. John last year by no means exhibit
its strength in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mich
igan, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kan
| sas.
The failure of extreme prohibition in its
supposed strongholds, like Maine, Massa.
chusetts, Kansas, Iowa, and other states,
where the cause OF true temperance has
suffered from violent measures, will serve
as a check TO the movement and an inceD'
tive TO more moderate counsels.
Democrats aud Republicans will doubtless
watch the progress OF this most interesting
element In politics with Keen interest, be
cause II threatens both parties with dan.
gerous intrusion. Several distinguished
leaders on the Republican side are prepared
to take the reins out OF st. Johns hands
and to adopt this moral issue as substitut,
for their worn-out platforms.