The Brookhaven leader., 1885-05-07
Prohibition and Politics.
From the Sword and sbicld.l

Dora Dunbar, In rcccut tSsue-oi
the Clarion, said some very good
things on the above subject, but she
has not comprised the question. Not
to- contrnvCrt her statements, but To
submit few parallel and, perhaps,
more extended thoughts on the
same general question, this article is
written.
In the first place, Prohibition i
not only u question Tor women, but
for every lover oi his country and
his kind, as well. And it is mani.
testify n question of State policy, or
of politics, il YOU ricasC. The pres
rnt State policy is one of partner
ship with, and protection of, the sa
loon. 1t is the open and avowCd
purpose OF Pgohibitiunists to reverse
this policy, to dissolve the unholy
partnership. and to put the traffic in
alcohol under ban, as a nuisance.
In short, Prohihi,ionists mean, as
speedily as possible, TO completely
overthrow the WHISKY interest in
Mississippi. "A large undertaking."
will one say? Yes, but that is
what we expect to do, and this is
the settled purpose of many thou
sands of our best people.
1t is clear that Prohibition in
wolves poIilic-, but mark it well, it
does not necessarily involve party
politics as parties now stand. We
trust that Prohihilionisls will al
ways be characterized Ivy a high
scIr.e OF honor. Perfect Candor, also
becomes them.
The writer may mo1estlv claim to
know good deal about the move
ment in Mississippi, having been in
it from the beginning, aud having
attended the conventions in their or
der The last convention put forth
Il declaration Of principles from
which quote rs follows:
We further declare it to be our eOnvic-
ton that the cause of Prohibition shonld
not he entangIcd with party politics
Without disturbing the party politics OF
any citizen, we ask his support of this
great reform, which should be sacreGly en-
thr0ncd above the contests for mere place
and power. We do affirm, however, that
intcmpcranec should not be count, nanced
in public officials and that no druukard is
worthy of support"
ProhibiIlouists do not ask either
Of the existing parties to take up
their cause. they recognize the
fact that neither party can do it,
and. for one, | would not trust 9Th
rr one with the sacred cause. We
do not want any ENHANCEMENT with
party politics.
Nevertheless, we have q demand
to make Of the existing parties. Ii
is a general local option law by
counties, under which we can carry
on the reformation >ucc, s|tuiy. This
We have asked before, AMI it has
! been denicd.
The Convention on this point, de
Clared rs follows
1--WE believe il to he the true policy and
the duty of the friends OF trmptra zee in
the several counties of the State to sup
port only those for the legislature at the
next approaching election, who favor a
general local option law
These extracts set us fairly before
the public. The points are these
|. PruhihiliOnietS do not wish tt
enlangle their cause with tie ma
cIinery Of party politics.
>. They will not support intern
/ peranCe in candidates.
3 They intend to support sucl
men for the legislature as will gran
local option" or, in other words
they propose to know whether legis
lators will agree to settlement o
The question, in the counties, as ;
matter Of police regulation, or wheth
er they intend to use their party ma
chincry to obslruct this benigl
movement.
Men who refuse so reasonable ;
request, or the parry either, will de
serve what they will get, the deter
mined opposition Of Prohibilionists
And that is only saying we are no
playing at this business.
1t lies with the leaders Of the OK
listing parties to determine whcthc
this question shall rcnd the partie
asnndcr or not. ] have always beer
, a Democrat, Of the most straightes
f sect. believe in Democratic prin
cipes, and it is pure Democracy TO
the people affected by an evil to sa'
whether they will have it in thei
county or not. 1t will he hlacl
day Tor the Democratic party in Mis-
, siSsil pi when it torsakcs so good ;
principle to cronch at the feet Of the
saloon ring inside the party. lie
that be done, and thousands Of tn,
best men in the party will bclIev,
!, that principle, the protection OF on
homes and the eace and order o
society are more than the mere
name of party.
We commend to the Democratic
leaders Of Mississippi the wise poll
cy of the noble Georgia Democracy
They gave the law we want, ant
Prohibition has been marching on
while the party was never more de
serving, Shall say it, yes, l will
because it is time for honest talk
The Democratic party in Mississippi
can not repeat its recent history AM